University of Connecticut
IN-24: Innovation A

In 2017, the UConn bookstore rolled out its ECOCoin initiative, through which customers are given an ECOCoin each time they forfeit a plastic bag at the register. The coin, which represents the five-cent cost of a plastic bag, can be dropped into one of three local charity boxes on display at the store’s exit. These charities include CLiCK Willimantic, UConn’s Campus Sustainability Fund, and Habitat for Humanity. CLiCK Willimantic seeks to grow the vitality of the local economy and community by offering shared use commercial kitchens to farmers and culinary entrepreneurs seeking to create food-based businesses; and to improve the health of the local community by teaching gardening, culinary, nutrition, and other food-related classes. https://clickwillimantic.com/about UConn’s Campus Sustainability Fund supports programs and initiatives that raise environmental awareness and develop conservation-minded students. https://ecohusky.uconn.edu/campus-sustainability-fund/ Habitat for Humanity is a global nonprofit housing organization that works to build strength, stability, and self-reliance in partnership with people and families in need of a decent and affordable home. https://www.habitat.org/about/faq#what The ECOCoin program serves to promote sustainable practices on campus while also giving back to charitable groups with sustainable values. Since the onset of the program, the Bookstore has seen a tremendous reduction in the number of plastic bags given to customers, as well as a great improvement in the awareness of the UConn community about sustainability initiatives on campus.