Plastic Pollution Coalition, with FBB support, partners with campuses to reduce plastic waste
By Administrator
Fourth-quarter 2011 environment beneficiary Plastic Pollution Coalition gave us this report about how they are using the funds contributed by members of Foundation Beyond Belief. Members donated $3,270 to Plastic Pollution Coalition last quarter.
We will apply the funding donated by Foundation Beyond Belief toward our Plastic Free Campuses program. Plastic Free Campuses is a project of the Plastic Pollution Coalition’s REFUSE campaign that is being implemented on the campuses of schools and universities around the world.
The goal of the Plastic Free Campuses project is to measurably reduce plastic pollution on school or university campuses, with special focus on the reduction and elimination of plastic bottles, plastic straws and utensils, and plastic or styrofoam food packaging. Education is a key element of the project, as student groups alert their peers to the multiple threats of disposable plastics and implement initiatives that have a measurable impact on plastic consumption on campus.
Any campus that is implementing any plastic pollution reduction initiative can sign up as a member of the Plastic Free Campuses initiative and will be included on the global REFUSE map on the Plastic Free Times website. The requirement is that the initiative must have measurable results, and these are audited and shared on a regular basis with the global network.
Each year PPC will designate ten campuses as “Plastic Pollution Coalition Campuses.” These campuses will be chosen based on exceptional success in outreach and education, and measurable plastic pollution reduction. PPC will devote special efforts to work with them and to guide the expansion of program activities.
PPC will provide qualified campuses with seed funding, outreach materials, and a list of recommended vendors for locally sourced alternatives to disposable plastic products. PPC will work with each of these campuses on alternatives, education, and long-term solutions.
Information about the Plastic Free Campuses program will be available at www.plasticpollutioncoalition.org, including an interactive map of PFC campuses, current activities of PFC members, and information about joining the program. You may also contact Ben Bezark, Program Manager for Plastic Free Campuses.
Daniella Dimitrova Russo
Co-founder, Executive Director
Plastic Pollution Coalition