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Syracuse University is in the implementation phase of its 2024-28 Plastic Reduction Plan, an outline of SU’s “phased approach” to reduce the use of single-use plastics on campus. The plan coincides with the broader efforts outlined in the university’s ongoing sustainability goals.

The plan, released publicly in mid-May, includes a multi-step phaseout schedule — presenting by what percentage the university plans to reduce a given single-use plastic product in each of the next four years. By the 2027-28 academic year, SU will have completely halted its use of six different types of single-use products, including plastic to-go containers and straws.

SU’s office of Energy Systems and Sustainability Management drafted the plan following a university audit on plastic usage, completed in spring 2024. Prior to publishing, the office also received input from the Sustainability Oversight Council — a group of student leaders, faculty members and administrators charged with overseeing sustainability policy changes.

“The Plastic Reduction Plan was written and developed by the Sustainability Management team, with the agreement and input of the Sustainability Oversight Council. The collaboration ensured that the plan was comprehensive and aligned with our broader sustainability goals,” SU Sustainability Coordinator Melissa Cadwell said.

Its release came approximately one year after the university published new sustainability goals, updates to its original Climate Action Plan. The new sustainability goals came as a result of the publication of the Student Association’s December 2022 sustainability report, which called on the university to reduce its carbon emissions and introduce more sustainable practices.

Olivia Curreri, a 2024 SU graduate and SA’s former vice president of university affairs, was one of the original authors of the association’s initial Sustainability Report. She said she believes the decision to develop and release a concrete Plastic Reduction Plan is evidence of the university’s commitment to its 2023 sustainability goals.

“It’s one thing for a single consumer to try to reduce their use of single-use plastics, but it’s another thing for a university to make that commitment and allow there to be access to more sustainable uses,” Curreri said.

In its Plastic Reduction Plan, the university defines the following items as single-use plastics: disposable plastic utensils, water and drink bottles, straws, stir sticks, to-go containers, condiment packets, single-serving snack packs, shipping foam and promotional items such as balloons.

Through the Plastic Reduction Plan, data of each disposable plastic product will be recorded and analyzed based on inventory, product category, the current form of plastic product being used and how that product will then either be reduced, reused, eliminated or replaced. The Sustainability Management Team will also publish this data to its website, the plan states.

The plan also features multiple exemptions, permitting certain single-use plastics that do not have a “suitable replacement.” Some of these exceptions include laboratory products, health and safety items, beverage containers that hold more than three liters and any products used for accessibility accommodations.

Cadwell said the university has made “significant strides” toward on-campus plastic reduction since releasing its sustainability goals. Over the past year, SU has replaced almost all of the single-serve plastic cutlery at Schine Student Center eateries, she said. One of these dining options, Halal Shack, also transitioned from using single-use foil takeout pans to compostable bowls and lids.

Lastly, the plan mentions the initiative to educate staff and faculty on methods of composition and the use of more eco-friendly products. Along with a staff educating program, SA has added to its commitment to sustainability education as it’s set to publish a green purchasing guide in the future to help students find more sustainable merchandise alternatives, Kaufman said.

“Single-use plastic items are widely used across campus and this commitment will
take a concerted effort,” the plan reads. “Education and collaboration will be key in phasing out the use of these products and effectively implementing new practices.”

Another new initiative included in the Plastic Reduction Plan is the peer-to-peer educational program, created by SU’s Sustainability Management Team in 2023. The goal of the program is to raise awareness and educate others about sustainability practices and programs on campus.

SA has also introduced its own efforts to increase student engagement in sustainability improvement efforts. In 2023, the association established a Sustainability Forum — a group of SU and SUNY ESF students, as well as SA members, who meet to discuss and propose sustainable on-campus initiatives.

Izzy Kaufman, SA’s current co-director of sustainability, said she describes the Sustainability Forum as an outlet for students to voice any concerns and comments regarding the university’s sustainability practices.

“We’ve kind of grown it to be a forum, to be a more inclusive environment where people can just stop by, ask questions or just start getting involved,” Kaufman said.

SA also created its own internal Green Purchasing Guide to find sustainable alternatives for products required in its events and operations, which it first announced in January.

By 2025, SU aims to completely phase out plastic straws and stir sticks, as well as to reduce its use of to-go containers and condiments packets by 50%.

DISCLAIMER: Izzy Kaufman, SA’s sustainability co-director, is an opinion columnist for The Daily Orange. She does not influence the editorial content of the News section in her capacity as an opinion columnist.

Published on August 28, 2024 at 11:22 pm

Contact Zaara: zamalik@syr.edu