The Student Office of Sustainability is hosting Pitt’s first ever Plastic Free Week from October 21-25 to raise awareness about the harmful impact of plastics and encourage the Pitt community to take a plastic-free pledge.
The Harmful Impacts of Single-Use Plastics
Single-use plastics take 20-500 years to biodegrade, causing harmful effects on both human health and the environment. As plastics break down into pieces smaller than 5mm, these microplastics can enter the human body, potentially leading to respiratory and lung issues, including cancer.
Plastics also wreak havoc on aquatic species by blocking their digestive tracts, reducing their appetite, impairing growth and reproduction, and in severe cases, causing choking. Beyond harming wildlife, plastic pollution contaminates soil and water, lowering soil quality and affecting drinkable water. Furthermore, single-use plastics are made from oil, and their production releases around 2.24 billion metric tons of CO2, contributing to the greenhouse gas effect and accelerating climate change.
Take Action During Plastic Free Week
October is Campus Sustainability Month, and to mark the occasion, the Student Office of Sustainability is hosting Pitt’s first ever Plastic Free Week from October 21-25! Join us for a week of activities, sign the Plastic Free Pledge, and take meaningful action to reduce single-use plastics on campus. There is OCC credit available at these events and it is a great opportunity for students to take a hands-on approach to reducing single-use plastics on our campus.
Monday, October 21: Plastic Collaborative Teach-In
2:00pm-3:00pm | WPU 527
(OCC Credit)
Tuesday, October 22: Video on Water Quality
Learn why public water is safer.
Wednesday, October 23: Reuse Fest
10:00am-1:00pm | Bigelow Lawn and Lower Lounge
Crafts, games, and OCC Credit.
Thursday, October 24: Recycling 101 by Pitt EcoReps
3:00pm-4:00pm | SOOS (WPU 510)
(OCC Credit)
Friday, October 25: Student Office of Sustainability 10th Anniversary
11:00am-3:00pm | WPU Plaza and Kurtzman Room
Crafts and Sustainability Timeline Tabling.
Other Ways to Reduce Plastic at Pitt
As part of Pitt’s Sustainability Plan, we’re working to reduce landfill waste by 25% by 2030 from 2017 levels. Here’s how you can help reduce the impact of single-use plastics:
- BYO Cup: Bring your own cup to any campus coffee cart to get $1.19 hot or iced coffee or tea, plus $0.25 off all espresso drinks.
- BYO Bag: Reduce plastic bag usage. Guests pay $0.25 per bag at all University of Pittsburgh locations, including Pitt Eats dining.
– Rachel Garcia, Student Office of Sustainability