Salisbury University in Maryland becomes a Plastics Reduction Partner

The National Wildlife Federation is excited to award Salisbury University the Plastics Reduction Partner Bronze level certification for their efforts to reduce single-use plastics on campus.

Salisbury University earned points towards their Bronze-level certification through actions to build awareness on campus about the harmful impacts of plastics, by encouraging behavior change to choose reusable over single-use plastics, implementing tangible changes in their campus-wide operations, and through their institutional leadership. Here are a few spotlights of Salisbury’s plastics reduction efforts:

• Office Mini-Trashcan Initiative: First piloted in Fulton Hall in August 2023, the Office Mini-Trashcan Initiative is now implemented in all major academic and administrative buildings across campus.  This initiative has increased their recycling rate by 25 percent in their office settings and reduced their annual usage of single-use plastic bin liners by an estimated 70,000 liners.

• Water Bottle Refill Station Retrofits: During the Spring 2024 semester, the Student Government Association submitted a Green Fund application to retrofit all drinking fountains with water bottle refill stations. To date, 93 percent of stations have been retrofitted across campus.

• Zero Waste Starter Kits: During the 2024 fall semester “Move-In Week”, 400 incoming freshman received “Zero Waste Starter Kits” containing a reusable water bottle or coffee mug (student preference), reusable tote bag, reusable utensil kit, and a flyer containing additional information on how to live a zero waste life style at Salisbury University. This initiative launched in 2023 and will continue each fall.

• Book Store Bubble Wrap Donation Station: The Salisbury University Book Store is located adjacent to the Post Office in The Commons Building.  In January 2024, the Book Store Bubble Wrap Donation Station was established to promote adaptive reuse of single-use plastics. Students receiving packages in the mail can donate un-popped bubble wrap to the Book Store.

“Being located on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Salisbury University’s community has observed the impacts single-use plastics can have on shorebirds and aquatic organisms in the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Our community felt strongly that we must do our part to reduce our use of single-use plastics. After all, our mascot is Sammy the Sea Gull!  We want to keep Sammy happy and healthy! SU Sea Gulls flock together!” – Chris Homeister, Chief Sustainability Officer and Director of Campus Sustainability Program, Salisbury University

Plastic pollution is a critical threat to the world’s wildlife and to human health, with 8-10 million tons of plastic entering the ocean every year. In some areas, twice as many sea turtles are ingesting plastic now than they were 25 years ago. Plastic ingestion and entanglement injures and kills countless marine birds and other wildlife every year.

There are few solutions to this problem as important as engaging America’s higher education institutions on the dangers of plastics build-up, and how the problem can be addressed through the reduction of purchase and use in campus dining facilities, laboratories, academic buildings, and more.

The Plastics Reduction Partner, launched in 2022, is the only certification program in the U.S. that recognizes colleges and universities for taking action to reduce the purchase and use of single-use plastics on campus. There are three levels of certification available: bronze, silver and green (introductory to advanced), and a comprehensive framework featuring four action areas, including building awareness, supporting behavior change, assessing and implementing operational change, and demonstrating institutional leadership.

The first step to becoming a Plastics Reduction Partner is to complete a commitment letter. Colleges and universities then work toward their chosen certification level by taking action and earning points in the four action areas.

The current list of institutions participating in the Plastic Reduction Partner program includes:

• Bard College, New York (Bronze Certified)
• Bowling Green State University (Commitment Letter)
• California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt (Bronze Certified)
• California State University Dominguez Hills (Commitment Letter)
• Catawba College (Commitment Letter)
• Drexel University, Pennsylvania (Commitment Letter)
• Howard Community College, Maryland (Commitment Letter)
• Northern Michigan University (Commitment Letter)
• Salisbury University, Maryland (Bronze Certified)
• St. Edward’s University, Texas (Commitment Letter)
• SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, New York (Commitment Letter)
• University at Albany, New York (Commitment Letter)
• University of California, Berkeley (Commitment Letter)
• University of Massachusetts, Amherst (Commitment Letter)
• Wenatchee Valley College, Washington (Commitment Letter)

Participation in the Plastics Reduction Partner program is eligible for AASHE STARS materials management recognition credit. Additionally, the National Wildlife Federation is a proud member of the #BreakFreeFromPlastic movement, and the Plastic Pollution Coalition.

Test your knowledge:

• How does plastic pollution impact sea lions and our natural marine environments?
• What is your plastic eco-score?

Learn more about:

• Sailsbury University’s Sustainability Efforts
• How to become a Plastics Reduction Partner
• Wildlife Impacts from Plastic Pollution
• Plastic Pollution Impacts on Humans

The Plastics Reduction Partner certification program was designed by Amber Saxton, Sustainability Program Manager, Campus Efficiencies, George Mason University (Virginia), with support from Kristy Jones, Director, Higher Education Programs, National Wildlife Federation. The following campuses served on an advisory committee, providing feedback for improvement before launch of the program in early 2022: Knox College, Mount Holyoke College, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Texas Tech University and The Ohio State University. 

About National Wildlife Federation

Founded in 1936, the National Wildlife Federation is America’s largest and most trusted grassroots conservation organization with 52 state and territorial affiliates and more than six million members and supporters, including hunters, anglers, gardeners, birders, hikers, campers, paddlers, and outdoor enthusiasts of all stripes.

The Federation’s mission is to unite all Americans to ensure wildlife thrive in our rapidly changing world through programming focused on conserving wildlife, restoring habitats and waterways, expanding outdoor opportunities, addressing the causes and consequences of climate change, and connecting people with nature. Education plays a vital role in connecting people with wildlife. Through programs, curriculum, scientific reports, and more, the National Wildlife Federation is furthering knowledge about nature and wildlife, and inspiring future environmental stewards.