| Overall Rating | Platinum |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 86.83 |
| Liaison | Mark Lichtenstein |
| Submission Date | Feb. 28, 2023 |
State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry
IN-32: Single-Use Plastic Ban
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
0.50 / 0.50 |
Delaney
Demro Sustainability Planning & Institutional Alignment Manager Office of Sustainability |
Has the institution banned or eliminated the on-site sales and distribution of at least one type of single-use disposable plastic?:
A brief description of the single-use disposable plastics that have been banned or eliminated:
ESF adopted its Green Purchasing and Break Free From Plastic Policy in November 2021. In doing so, it became the first SUNY institution to ban the expenditure of state funds to purchase most single use plastics for use on campus or at College events. The Policy also reiterates ESF's commitment to abiding by NYS Executive Order 4 and NYS Executive Order 22.
Per the Policy, state funds are no longer able to be used to purchase the following items:
- Single use plastic utensils
- Single use plastic straws and stirrers
- Single-use plastic food service ware (cups, plates, bowls, trays, sauce dishes, lids etc.)
- Single-use plastic clamshells and to-go containers
- All polystyrene (Styrofoam and similar) food service products
- Single-use plastic-lined cups and bowls (coffee cups, soup bowls, snack boats etc.)
- Single-use plastic-wrapped condiments, sauces, and seasonings (butter, jelly, peanut butter, creamers, sugars, salt, pepper etc.)
- Individually-packaged items with bulk alternatives (napkins, oyster crackers, mints, toothpicks etc.)
- Individually wrapped fresh baked goods
- Single-use hot beverage packets unnecessarily packaged in plastic (K-cups, plastic wrapped tea bags, etc.)
- Plastic shopping bags
- Plastic-wrapped giveaways
Exemptions:
- Pre-packaged plastic wrapped retail items (chip bags, granola bar wrappers, candy bar wrappers, toiletries etc.)
- Plastic trash and recycling bags
- Plastic wrap for use during food prep (this does not refer to individually wrapped food items, as noted above)
- Plastic and polystyrene (Styrofoam) packing material from incoming orders
- Plastic packaging from external caterers
- Single-use plastics used in academic setting (lab equipment etc.)
- Single-use plastics necessary for health and safety purposes (medical plastics etc.)
- Single use paper items coated in plastic are not able to be used as a substitute for the products listed above
Campus community members using non-state dollars to purchase materials are encouraged to follow the Policy.
All purchasers are encouraged to use durable, reusable and washable items to replace single use items. Single use compostable products are able to be purchased with State dollars and used on ESF's campuses. However, they must be certified by the Biodegradable Products Institute. In all instances, reusable alternatives should be favored over single use compostable items.
Website URL where information about the single-use disposable plastic ban(s) is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.