Saying No to Single-Use Plastics

Recently, a student petition has been gaining traction on UT Dallas’s campus. Already, the cause has gained 825 signatures – and the number grows everyday. Led by ECO, a student organization that works for Environmental Conservation on campus, the petition is titled: “No More Plastic Waste at UTD.“

I’ve always tried to avoid single use plastics in my own life. My dad has always been a strong supporter of the phrase “Why pay for water when you can get it from the tap for free?” However, using a reusable water bottle is just the beginning. So, what exactly are single-use plastics? Would it be possible for UT Dallas to ban them? How can you avoid them in your own life? Look no further, because this blog post does not just have a single use.

Question 1: What are Single-Use Plastics?

• The definition itself is pretty straight-forward. The Plastic-Free Challenge defines a single-use plastic as a type of plastic meant to be used only once before being thrown away or recycled. The straw in your Starbucks order? The container for your delicious rice bowl at Moe’s? The water bottle that comes with your Meal Exchange order? All of these items are single-use plastics, and they’re most often found in packaging.
• Single-use plastics may seem like a staple of our everyday lives, but they’re a relatively recent fad. The NRDC describes that the 1970s is when the plastic disaster really began. Manufacturers, seeing plastic as a cheap packaging alternative, began wrapping just about everything in plastic.
• Want to hear something really scary? Since the 1950s, we have produced 8.3 billion metric tons of plastic. But Courtney Lindwall for the NRDC clarifies that HALF OF THAT – that’s right, HALF has happened in the past 15 years alone.

Single-use plastics seem to produce way more pollution than benefit. However, it’s hard to imagine life without them… especially when you start thinking about just how often they’re used. That brings me to question 2.

Question 2: Would it be possible for UT Dallas to ban single-use plastics?

• The short answer: YES. But let’s delve into what that could look like.
• The California State University system recently enacted a policy that aims to eliminate plastic straws and carryout bags by 2019, phase out styrofoam packaging by 2021, and end sales of single-use plastic water bottles by 2023. They cite they hope it will reaffirm CSU’s Commitment to Sustainability and save thousands of pounds of plastic waste from going to landfills and oceans.
• In 2018, Duke University required all dining locations on campus to eliminate single-use plastics. This included plastic bags, straws, utensils, and cups. Dining venues replaced single- use plastics with paper and PLA (which is a plant based material).
• These examples illustrate that campus-wide and even system-wide bans are possible, and that replacements exist. Because UT Dallas is already a leader on sustainability and all dining venues on campus are managed by one company, I see a ban as an even stronger possibility.

If you’re as convinced as I personally am that banning single-use plastics at UT Dallas would be a great step for the campus, and set an example for the rest of the state, I would encourage you to sign ECO’s petition HERE.

Question 3: How can you avoid single-use plastics in your own life?

• Working to minimize the waste you produce as an individual is another great way to encourage a societal reduction of waste from single- use plastics. I think the most important aspect of this is being a conscious consumer. Once you start really thinking about what you are purchasing, and what it is packaged in, thinking about the solution is much easier. Here, I’ll provide some tips I have that are easy ways to avoid single- use plastics.
• First, get your “VSCO Girl” on and make use of a reusable water bottle! I carry mine around my house, to class, or on any adventure I may go on! Obviously, now, I’m not leaving my house very often at all- but I’m still getting plenty of use out of my water bottle! Moving into warmer temperatures, I always have to remember to bring it EVERYWHERE- so I don’t get caught in the trap of buying a plastic water bottle when it’s getting toasty at an event.
• Second, never going on a grocery store trip without your reusable bags in tow! This is such an easy and great way to avoid plastic bags every time you head to a store, and you can even purchase some cute and decorative bags. Also, my hometown actually banned plastic bags, which definitely motivated me to never forget my reusable ones…
• Third, did you know you can actually ask some coffee shops to make your drink in a reusable cup? When the time comes around that we are going out again, ask for your next Starbucks order in a reusable cup!
• Fourth, get used to saying “no thank you.” Implementing this quick phrase when you’re considering grabbing a plastic straw, purchasing a plastic water bottle, or getting your food packaged up in a plastic bag can easily help you avoid lots of plastic waste!
• Honestly, I could go on for a loooong time with tips… So I’m instead just going to provide you with this great resource- “100 Steps to a Plastic- Free Life.”

Whether you’re already avoiding single- use plastics or just getting started, I hope this article helped! Reducing plastic waste is a combination of making sustainable individual choices and pushing for larger structural changes.

This time is certainly overwhelming- and I am wishing everyone good health and safety. However, it’s given me time for self-reflection, and trying to implement habits I usually wouldn’t have the time to do. I hope this pla-sticks with you!

Written by Paulina Hruskoci