Single-Use Plastic Beverage Bottle Elimination
Single-use plastics are causing global problems — and plastic water and beverage bottles are major contributors. Every year billions of tons of plastic waste are landfilled, incinerated, or dumped in the ocean, where they leach pollutants into our water, air, soil, and food. Currently in the U.S., less than 8% of all discarded plastics are recycled. We need systemic change to reduce negative environmental and public health impacts.
To help address the crisis, USC has eliminated single-use plastic beverage bottles from campus. Since July 2022, our ban on single-use plastic beverage bottles has kept approximately 5 million bottles out of landfills. In support of the zero waste goal in Assignment: Earth, we have eliminated single-use plastic beverage bottles from campus by:
- Transitioning to beverage container alternatives including glass and aluminum which can be more sustainably sourced than plastic and have increased recyclability
- Encouraging the use of hydration stations, water coolers/dispensers, and water fountains instead of single-use plastic water bottles
What You Can Do
- Use a refillable water bottle, and fill up at one of the hydration stations across campuses
- Take the sustainability pledge and get 10% off on a reusable water bottle from the USC Bookstore
- Book your campus events with USC Hospitality Private Events and Conferences and request caterers and materials that prioritize waste reduction
- Avoid single-use items for events and everyday living. Prioritize reuse, and products that can be safely used multiple times
What USC Is Doing
- Providing more access to compost and recycling waste streams
- USC has installed new exterior multi-stream waste bins across HSC, UPC, and USC Village
- USC Hospitality has transitioned their dining operations away from single-use plastics to sustainable alternatives
- USC’s ban on single-use plastic beverage bottles has kept millions of bottles out of landfills.
@uscedu Plastic bottles?! 🙅🙅🙅 USC will eliminate single-use plastic bottles on all campuses and at sporting events by 7/1!👏 #USCEarthWeek #USC #TommyTrojan #FightOn ♬ Ah ah ah – kriptozavr
Tools
Help the University community by taking action in your office, in your purchases, and while at cafeterias and events on campus.
Get Visual Aids
PowerPoint slides provide a clear overview of the elimination process. Download the presentation below.
Read the Policy
USC has an official plastic bottle elimination policy. Read the full policy at the link below.
Vendor Checklist
Help your vendors and caterers choose suitable alternatives to single-use plastics whenever possible.
Look Out for Plastics
If you see single-use plastic bottles that don’t belong, let us know.
Make the Transition
Need help developing a transition plan for eliminating plastic bottle use?
Find Hydration Stations
Use this interactive map to find stations to fill your reusable water bottle on campus.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs on USC’s single-use plastic beverage and water bottle elimination policy and best practices. The reduction of single-use plastic beverage bottles supports the zero waste goal of Assignment: Earth.
If you have a question that is not addressed below, contact plasticfreeusc@usc.edu.
The announcement was made in April 2022 and became effective as of July 1, 2022. In some cases, it may take a few months for units to deplete previously purchased inventory of single-use plastic beverage bottles.
- Everyone! All Trojans have a role to play in eliminating plastics from our campus waste stream.
- All purchases made with USC funds need to comply with the policy.
- Major entities such as Auxiliary Services and Athletics are working with Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling to transition all Coca-Cola Company beverage products to glass and aluminum bottles/cans in operations, retail locations, and vending machines at UPC and HSC.
- Schools and Administrative units are encouraged to use our Preferred Catalog Suppliers, Office Depot and Alta Foodcraft, for sourcing non-plastic bottle beverages for office use. These suppliers have some product substitutions available and will continue adding alternatives.
- USC Village food/retail venues that still sell beverages in plastic bottles will transition to alternatives on an individual restaurant basis over time.
- Book your campus events with USC Hospitality Private Events and Conferences to ensure the use of compliant materials as they are certified by the Green Restaurants Association.
- Contact USC Business Services for sustainable purchasing guidance and additional purchasing resources.
- Compliant aluminum or glass products can be found in the Office Depot and Alta Foodcraft catalogs, both USC Catalog suppliers.
- Set up water dispenser rentals and delivery to help eliminate the need for single-use water containers. Find more information on how to start service or order 5-gallon refills.
You are likely to see increases in prices in some products. Auxiliary Services and Athletics will absorb some of the price increases and customers will absorb some. One of the reasons single-use plastics are so abundant is that they are inexpensive to manufacture and the pollution costs are transferred to the planet, other species, and society. Trojans are leading in the efforts to stop this unsustainable practice.
- USC Hospitality has transitioned their dining operations away from single-use plastics to sustainable alternatives.
- USC has installed exterior multi-stream waste bins across HSC, UPC, and USC Village, to provide expanded access to recycling and compost receptacles.
- Shift to reusable products or easily recyclable items made of aluminum, un-coated paper, glass, and compostable items made from certified compostable materials.
- Use a refillable water bottle, and fill up at one of the hydration stations across our campuses. See the Sustainability Map to locate the hydration stations.
- Your purchasing dollar has power — support vendors who reduce or eliminate single-use plastics.
- Avoid bringing single-use plastics to campus.
- Sort and properly dispose of your waste materials on campus.
The bulk of single-use plastic beverage bottles were eliminated as of July 1, 2022. However, some bottles will continue to appear as stocks are depleted, at USC Village vendors, and from individuals bringing bottles onto campus from purchases made off-campus.
- Reusables — materials that are durable and intended for multiple uses. Items with endless recyclability — materials that can be easily and continuously recycled (e.g. aluminum, glass, etc.).
- Single-use Plastic — plastics that are designed for one time use. The most common single-use plastic beverage bottles are made from #1 PET, and are not safe for reuse. #2 HDPE is another common single-use plastic beverage bottle material, which can be safe for reuse, but is often discarded after one use.