University at Albany Certifies as a National Wildlife Federation Plastics Reduction Partner

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

The University at Albany 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 education and awareness programs. Here are a few spotlights of the University at Albany’s plastics reduction efforts:

• Providing reusable swag options (bottles, bags, flatware kits) and participation in the Fill It Forward program. The University at Albany has 70 water refill stations throughout campus. Students, faculty, and staff use the refill stations frequently to avoid single-use plastic water bottles and use the Fill It Forward program to track their environmental impact.

• Executing the Phase 1 rollout of SUNY’s Single-Use Plastic Policy, managing the elimination of key waste streams such as plastic bags, balloons and straws (available on request only). All dine-in locations on campus use reusable dishes and flatware. The Campus Center and Concessions use bulk condiment dispensers and flatware dispensers.

• Providing education on waste diversion via social media, tabling, sustainable swap workshops and at-the-bin visual cues, examples include:
  • Promoting plastic reduction efforts to all new students, faculty, and staff through Orientation programs. The Office of Sustainability presents at all New Employee Orientation programs. The Office also participates in New Student Orientation tabling fairs and facilitates a large-scale service initiative for new students which incorporates plastic reduction education.
  • The Offices of Residential Life and Student Engagement and Belonging frequently facilitate programs focused on reusable alternatives to plastic. Popular programs include DIY tote bags, DIY sustainable self-care, painting mugs, and decorating reusable water bottles. 

“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.”

-Mary Ellen Mallia, Director of Sustainability, University at Albany

Plastic pollution is a critical threat to the natural environment, an estimated eight million metric tons of plastic entered the ocean in 2010 and that number continues to increase every year.

In some areas, sea turtles were found to ingest plastic in 2019 at double the amount since the 1980s, and research shows continuing rates of ingestion today. Plastic ingestion and entanglement injures and kills countless marine birds and other wildlife every year.

One impactful solution to this problem is 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 proceed to 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)
• Butler University (Commitment Letter)
• California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt (Bronze Certified)
• California State University Dominguez Hills (Bronze Certified)
• Carnegie Mellon University (Commitment Letter)
• Catawba College (Commitment Letter)
• Drexel University, Pennsylvania (Commitment Letter)
• Howard Community College, Maryland (Commitment Letter)
• Lewis University, Illinois (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 (Bronze Certified)
• 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, NWF 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

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

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.

NWF’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, NWF is furthering knowledge about nature and wildlife, and inspiring future environmental stewards.

About the University at Albany

The University at Albany is a Carnegie-classified Research 1 institution driven by academic excellence, pioneering research and scientific discovery, and service to community. UAlbany’s world-class faculty experts and students are creating new knowledge in fields such as artificial intelligence, semiconductor engineering, atmospheric and environmental sciences, cybersecurity, public health, public administration and social welfare while deepening our understanding of our world through scholarship and creative activity in the social sciences and humanities.

As one of the most diverse public research institutions in the nation, the University is a national leader in educational equity and social mobility. For over 180 years, UAlbany has molded bright, curious and engaged students and launched them toward success.