Albany, New York – The University at Albany earned Bronze-level certification from the National Wildlife Federation for its comprehensive efforts to curb single-use plastics across campus.
70 Refill Stations Fuel a Reusable Revolution
70 Refill Stations Fuel a Reusable Revolution (Image Credits: Upload.wikimedia.org)
University at Albany staff and students turned hydration habits upside down with 70 water refill stations dotting the campus. These stations pair with the Fill It Forward program, where participants track their plastic savings through reusable bottles. The university also distributes reusable swag, including bottles, bags, and flatware kits, to promote lasting behavior shifts.
Operational changes amplified these initiatives. The campus executed Phase 1 of the SUNY Single-Use Plastic Policy, which phased out plastic bags, balloons, and straws except upon request. Dine-in locations now rely on reusable dishes and flatware, while bulk condiment and flatware dispensers appear in the Campus Center and concessions areas. Such measures earned points across four key action areas: awareness-building, behavior encouragement, operational shifts, and educational outreach.
Education Takes Center Stage in Waste Reduction
The Office of Sustainability integrated plastic reduction messaging into orientation programs for new students, faculty, and staff. Tabling events, social media campaigns, and at-the-bin visual cues reinforced the message daily. Workshops like sustainable swap events further engaged the community.
Residential Life and Student Engagement organized hands-on programs, such as DIY tote bag making, mug painting, and decorating reusable water bottles. These activities fostered a culture of reusability. The efforts extended to large-scale service initiatives for incoming students, embedding environmental stewardship from day one.
A Program Tackling Plastic’s Wildlife Toll
Plastic pollution threatens marine life severely, with eight million metric tons entering oceans annually and rates climbing. Sea turtles ingest twice as much plastic now compared to the 1980s, while birds and other species suffer entanglement and injury. The National Wildlife Federation launched its Plastics Reduction Partner program in 2022 as the sole U.S. certification for higher education institutions addressing this crisis.
Participants commit via a letter, then accumulate points toward Bronze, Silver, or Green levels. UAlbany joined an expanding roster that includes Bard College, California State Polytechnic University Humboldt, and University of California Berkeley. The program qualifies for AASHE STARS credits in materials management.
| Institution | Status |
|---|---|
| Bard College, New York | Bronze Certified |
| California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt | Bronze Certified |
| University at Albany, New York | Bronze Certified |
| Salisbury University, Maryland | Bronze Certified |
Leaders Champion Healthier Campuses
Mary Ellen Mallia, Director of Sustainability at University at Albany, highlighted the human stakes. “A plastic-free campus is a healthier campus for everyone. By ditching single-use plastics, we protect our bodies from harmful chemicals and stand in solidarity with the communities most impacted by plastic waste. Real change starts when students lead the way, turning awareness into a shared movement for a cleaner, more equitable future.”
The certification underscores UAlbany’s role as a Carnegie-classified R1 research institution committed to equity and innovation. More details appear on the university’s sustainability page. The NWF program offers further guidance at its dedicated site.
Key Takeaways
- UAlbany installed 70 refill stations and embraced reusable alternatives to slash single-use plastics.
- SUNY policy eliminated key waste streams like bags and straws in campus operations.
- Education through orientations and workshops builds lasting student-led change.
This Bronze achievement positions University at Albany as a model for campuses nationwide, proving targeted actions yield measurable environmental gains. What steps could your institution take next? Share your thoughts in the comments.
