Free Reusable Bag Proposal UMD SGA Sustainability Committee, Fall 2017
Background SSC - An arm of the Student Government Association’s Executive Branch Advocating for sustainable solutions to issues that affect the UMD Undergraduate population Beginning of semester - committee member concerned about the distribution of plastic bags on campus Explored tax and ban - after meeting w/Dining Services, began to explore creative solutions
The Plan We’d like to make reusable shopping bags free and available to students who shop at on-campus shops Bags would be available on the counter when students check out - they’d be free to take as many as they need or choose to use plastic bags Once they’re returned to their dorm/apartment, they can return bags to designated drop off location at their convenience Bags would then be collected by volunteers or staff and returned to the shops, where other students would be able to use them
Student Makes Purchase Student can choose to use a plastic bag or a reusable, which is available on the counter Student Returns Bags Collected Home The bags are picked up Once products have been and returned to the shop, unpacked, bag can return where the process begins to drop-off zone in dorm again or at shop
Student Feedback and Support SGA Constituent Polling “Do you think that the usage (or overuse) of plastic bags at on-campus shops is an issue that the SGA should address? Yes - 118 (74.68%) No - 40 (25.32%) “If you had access to free reusable shopping bags, would you choose to use them over plastic bags?” Yes - 146 (92.41%) No - 12 (7.59%) In addition, we received over 200 signatures of support
Next Steps Our goal? We’d like to see a pilot program in a North-Campus Community Things we need: Partnerships with Dept. ResLife and Dining Services, maybe Facilities Funding! (next slide) Exposure Potential Measures of Success: Overall # bags used (can be compared to plastic bags used) % of bags that leave the cycle Student satisfaction with program and Dining Services overall
Sources of Funding Initial Funding: 2 Potential Options Student Government Association Committee Reserves Office of Sustainability Sustainability Grant Moving Forward More possibilities: advertising? Likely that most bags won’t have to be replaced
Any Questions?
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