While individual actions to reduce the use of single-use plastic—like using a reusable container—are important, systemic and institutional change is needed to achieve true and lasting solutions to the plastic pollution crisis.

Educational institutions play a key role in developing responsible citizens who will take the lead in bringing about the systems change necessary to end plastic pollution.

The Break Free From Plastic Campus Pledge asks colleges to eliminate single use plastic from campus in the following steps:

1. Develop a Plastic-Free or Zero-Waste Task Force including students, staff, faculty from appropriate departments, and administration that develops a roadmap to a plastic free campus.

2. Immediate elimination of all non-essential, non-compostable, single-use disposable plastics with readily available alternatives.

3. Establish a procurement and/or purchasing policy which provides the framework for the long-term elimination of all non-essential, non-compostable, single-use disposable plastics—both provided by the institution and those provided by contracted food vendors.

4. Implement campus-wide systems that facilitate the proper collection and management of the non-disposable products from step 3.

By signing this Letter of Support I am urging Ramapo College of New Jersey to sign this pledge and commit to eliminating single-use plastic!