Local vending machines usually bring joy to the customers and students here at Lucy Beckham but lately, they have been sparking frustration. From the start of the school year, the building has enjoyed the vending machines, but lately, the Coca-Cola machines are starting to malfunction, taking the customer’s money and not delivering a snack in return. Due to the malfunctioning machines, many students at Lucy Beckham are avoiding using the machines between classes and during ILT. Students are able to go to the front office and report these losses for a refund.
However, it can be a hassle; many feel it isn’t worth spending 20 minutes trying to get a refund just for $2 back. This process includes writing down a name and information in order to get a refund, sometimes taking over 48 hours for a full refund to be issued. Currently, there are nearly three full sheets of names requesting refunds. According to Rachel Leask, Beckham’s front office staff, the owner of these vending machines only comes once every couple of weeks which leaves the vending machines out of stock even when they are working fine. This defeats the whole purpose of the vending machines and will cost both the school and the owner money. Ms. Leask has said, “Ms. Dassing has considered removing the vending machines entirely but these machines make roughly $12,000 for the school every month.”
Ms. Leask says that one idea to fix these problems is to open up a student-run store. This store would provide everything a student can get from the vending machine like soda and snacks. It could also include things like pencils, paper and other things necessary for a school day. Another solution to this problem is using reusable water bottles that can be filled in the water fountains. This might be better for someone’s body and the environment, since it isn’t putting plastic out into the environment or dangerous chemicals into someone’s body like aspartame, or any other fake sugars.