USC is eliminating single-use plastic beverage bottles
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 is working to eliminate single-use plastic beverage bottles from campus. In support of the zero waste goal in Assignment: Earth, we plan to eliminate 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
Take Action
Use the Toolkit to find resources to help you eliminate plastic water bottles.
News & Announcements
- Gone and back again: the conundrum of aluminum water bottles
After losing his reusable bottle, Patrick Warren examines the pros and cons of alternatives to single-use plastic water bottles. - Single-use plastic waste is getting phased out in California
California signed into law the country’s most sweeping restrictions on single-use plastics and packaging. - LA City Council to phase out single-use plastics at city facilities, events
The Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously Wednesday (April 27, 2022) to begin phasing out single-use plastics from city facilities and city-sponsored events. … Read more