In 2018, a partnership was formed between UK Recycling, UK Sustainability, and UK Dining to create UK POP - Pass on (single-use) Plastics. This campaign was designed to encourage the campus community to consider the impact of their single-use plastic consumption. Students voluntarily pledged to reduce their single-use plastic use, specifically plastic bags, bottles & straws and a quick survey. In return, students recieved a reusable bag, bottle and straw to help reduce their consumption.
Almost 2,000 surveys were completed, and this is what we learned:
Working to reduce our single-use plastic impact on campus is so important. Over the last 10 years, more plastics have been produced than the whole last century. On a global scale, less than 1/5 of all plastics are recycled. Unfortunately, we know that we at UK contribute to this global issue.
But there is hope! We can make a difference and have an impact on our single-use plastic consumption. Here at UK we are working to reduce the plastic used on campus, and here is how: