Reduce at UToledo: Minimizing Waste for a Sustainable Future
Reducing waste is the first step toward sustainability. UToledo encourages efforts to minimize resource consumption, aligning with the UN SDGs, particularly SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production. By reducing waste, the campus supports a cleaner Planet, engages the People in responsible habits, and promotes financial Profit through cost-effective practices.
Plastic Water Bottles
- Refill, Don’t Replace!
Reduce the use of disposable plastic water bottles by refilling the bottle you already have. UToledo has installed eight refillable water bottle stations across Main Campus and the Health Science Campus, located in the Student Union, Snyder Memorial, Carlson Library, the Student Recreation Center, and the Health Education Building. - What Students Can Do:
- Carry a reusable water bottle daily and refill it at stations.
- Encourage friends to use refill stations instead of buying bottled water.
- Impact: Using refillable stations helps decrease plastic waste and supports a sustainable Planet.
BYOM: Bring Your Own Mug
- Reusable Mugs at Cafes
Skip the disposable cups and bring your own coffee mug to campus cafes. Participating locations, like Starbucks, offer discounts when you use a reusable mug, encouraging sustainable behavior. - What Students Can Do:
- Make bringing a reusable mug a habit for coffee runs.
- Use reusable cups during meetings or events instead of single-use ones.
- Impact: Reusing cups reduces landfill waste, supporting the People and Planet pillars by promoting sustainable habits and reducing resource use.
High-Efficiency Hand Dryers
- Say No to Paper Towels
Reduce paper towel waste and greenhouse gas emissions by using high-efficiency hand dryers available across campus facilities. These dryers provide a quick and easy way to practice sustainability daily. - What Students Can Do:
- Use hand dryers instead of paper towels whenever possible.
- Report malfunctioning hand dryers to maintenance for quick repairs.
- Impact: Reduced paper waste supports the Planet by lowering resource consumption and emissions.
Print Double-Sided
- Conserve Paper
While electronic filing is preferred, when paper copies are necessary, always print double-sided to reduce paper usage. UToledo printers are preset to print double-sided as a standard measure to conserve paper. - What Students Can Do:
- Use digital notes instead of printing study materials.
- Print double-sided for assignments and paperwork whenever possible.
- Impact: Printing double-sided reduces paper waste, aligning with efficient resource use, supporting both the Planet and financial Profit through cost savings.
Opt for Reusable Utensils
- Avoid Single-Use Cutlery
Carry a set of reusable utensils to avoid using single-use plastic cutlery in dining halls or during takeout. - What Students Can Do:
- Keep a set of reusable utensils in your backpack or locker for easy access.
- Choose reusable options over plastic whenever possible.
- Impact: Reducing plastic cutlery use decreases waste and supports the Planet by reducing plastic pollution.
Use Cloth Bags for Groceries
- Choose Reusable Bags
Bring cloth or reusable bags when shopping to reduce plastic waste. - What Students Can Do:
- Keep a reusable bag handy in your backpack or car.
- Use cloth bags for grocery shopping and campus purchases.
- Impact: Using reusable bags cuts down on plastic consumption and supports sustainable practices, benefiting both the People and the Planet.
Participate in Waste Reduction Events
- Join Campus Initiatives
Engage in campus events focused on waste reduction, such as clean-up drives, recycling awareness campaigns, and sustainability workshops. - What Students Can Do:
- Attend and volunteer for clean-up drives and awareness events.
- Advocate for waste reduction initiatives among peers and campus groups.
- Impact: Active participation in waste reduction efforts supports the Planet by minimizing waste and encourages sustainable behavior among the People of UToledo.