UNB’s Sustainability Week focuses on single-use plastic as it returns for a second year
Author: UNB Newsroom
Posted on Oct 8, 2019
Category: UNB Fredericton
The second annual Sustainability Week is underway at the University of New Brunswick’s Fredericton campus with a program of events encouraging sustainable choices in everyday life.
Sustainability Week, which runs from Oct. 7-11, aims to build on the success of its inaugural year by offering an updated series of events and new partnerships.
This year focuses on single-use plastics and is a milestone in the Plastic Free UNB campaign. As part of the campaign, students, staff and faculty are being encouraged to make better decisions when it comes to single-use plastics.
“With some of the limitations that UNB Fredericton faces when it comes to recycling, we decided to focus on impacting plastic waste before it is ever created,” says Sustainability Week coordinator Danielle Smith. “Plastic pollution is certainly not the only environmental issue that the world is currently facing, but it is one that we can have a real impact on every day by making small changes to our routine.”
Members of the campus community are being encouraged to make a commitment to limit or eliminate their single-use plastic usage and add their names to a pledge board that will be in the Student Union Building throughout the week. Student leaders from across campus, including three members of the Student Union Executive, have already taken the pledge and are featured on posters in the SUB that will remain in place until Oct. 14.
“Any behaviour change is hard, no matter how small,” Ms. Smith says. “It helps when you are not alone, and you and your peers are all working together to change the behavioural norm. We encourage all those who would like to be part of this change to sign up to the pledge and support their fellow students in doing the same.”
Partners for the week include the City of Fredericton, ArtZone, the Biology Society, Counselling Services, Engineers Without Borders, the Graduate Studies Association, GreenUNB, Renaissance College, SU Food, the Vegan & Vegetarian Society, World Wildlife Fund – Canada, Waste Free Warriors and UNB Libraries.
“This week would not be possible without our amazing partners. They have all gone above and beyond to make each event great.”
Media contact: Fiona Hendrie
Photo credit: UNB Media Services