This is an optional Innovation & Leadership credit. These credits recognize exemplary practices and performance above and beyond what is recognized in standard credits and may not be relevant to every institution. Scoring in the Innovation and Leadership section is capped at 4 bonus points total.
Credit Language
IN 32: Single-Use Plastic Ban – version 2.2
Frequently Asked Questions
Do bans that cover only certain parts of campus qualify?
To qualify, a single-use disposable plastic must have been banned or eliminated across the entire institution.
Do bans that go into effect at a future date qualify?
To count, the single-use items must be effectively banned at the date of report submission.
Our institution complies with a single-use plastic ban across the municipality. Does this qualify?
Institutions that are in municipalities that have adopted a ban on certain items (e.g., straw ban in DC) can claim this credit if they comply with the ban.
Example Responses
- Lane Community College – Concise information on a campus wide water bottle ban is provided that covers food service, vending and the bookstore. The institution is upgrading to fill stations as part of a comprehensive bottle free strategy.
- Langara College – Reporting example of an institution implementing a single-use plastic ban in compliance with city standards.
- University of California, Santa Barbara – The response references a system-wide, multi-faceted single-use plastic waste ban and includes a link to the policy language. Good reporting example for other University of California institutions.
- University of Guelph – Documentation through an institutional news story affirms a ban on straws and bags.
Common Issues Identified During Review
- To count, the institution must have banned or eliminated the on-site sales and distribution of at least one type of single-use disposable plastic. Plastic reduction campaigns are not sufficient in the absence of a total ban. Partial bans do not count. Documentation affirming elimination is required.