The State University of New York (SUNY) system announced plans to phase out single-use plastics, including bags, bottles, and food service items, across its campuses. Chancellor John King revealed the initiative on Tuesday, highlighting SUNY’s partnership with the SustainChain platform to develop a hub for plastics-free solutions. This move aims to reduce the environmental impact of plastics used in daily operations and aligns with SUNY’s broader sustainability goals.
By leveraging the expertise of various campus communities, including SUNY ESF and SUNY New Paltz, which have already made significant strides in reducing plastic waste, the SUNY system seeks to foster a more sustainable future. The announcement follows a 2022 resolution by the SUNY Board of Trustees to form a task force dedicated to the elimination of single-use plastics, underscoring the system’s commitment to environmental stewardship.
The initiative comes in response to growing concerns over plastic pollution, with the United States Environmental Protection Agency reporting that only a small fraction of the over 35 million tons of plastic produced annually in the U.S. is recycled. SUNY’s efforts to eliminate single-use plastics represent a significant step towards reducing waste and promoting sustainability within the higher education sector.
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