Green Tip Tuesday: Update on Plastic Water Bottles and Grocery Bags
You may notice that all plastic water bottles sold at NOVA were replaced with 16 oz. aluminum cans of water. This is a result of NOVA’s sustainability efforts and the prior governor’s executive order to eliminate single-use plastics at all State Agencies in 2021. Additional changes from the executive order, to eliminate single-use plastics and other materials such as plastic bags, Styrofoam containers, etc., are also still in effect at NOVA.
More recently, Executive Order 17: Recognizing the Value of Recycling and Waste Reduction was signed. EO17 requires state agencies to increase awareness of the importance of recycling through signage, messaging, education and designated collection areas. Agencies are required to better capture recyclable materials by encouraging the purchase of materials containing post-consumer recycled [PCR] content.
A VCCS team working on the plan to respond to and implement EO17 efforts includes Rob Johnson, NOVA’s director of sustainability and auxiliary services, and other leaders across the VCCS. The team is working to collect data so the system office can report for all colleges in one document.
How does EO17 affect day-to-day life at NOVA?
NOVA is ahead of the curve on sustainability initiatives as our Food Service contracts awarded in May 2020 already include much of the same language as the Executive Order. Through Rob Johnson’s sustainability leadership, the college has already begun the process of transitioning away from polystyrene (Styrofoam) and single-use plastics to reusable, biodegradable and compostable serveware, utensils and other materials in the cafeterias and bookstore cafés. In the bookstores, Barnes and Noble has transitioned to paper bags and new cups and packaging types in the cafés. Compostable or biodegradable straws are available only by request in the cafeterias and bookstore cafés.
While NOVA has transitioned from plastic water bottles to canned water in the cafeterias and bookstores, the College has also increased the number of water bottle filling stations where you can refill your reusable container – a list of locations is available here.
Does this mean I can’t buy or use plastic water bottles at NOVA?
No. Since Executive Order 17 replaced the requirements from the previous executive order, you can buy and distribute plastic water bottles (and all other single-use plastic items – e.g., utensils, plates, cups, etc.) like you always have.
If you would like to pursue more environmentally friendly options for your event or initiative (e.g., water coolers, reusable utensil kits, etc), please don’t hesitate to reach out to Rob Johnson.
What’s next?
NOVA is working with the VCCS to address the requirements of Executive Order 17. At NOVA, this will likely look like updated recycling graphics and guidance on campus. Across the Commonwealth, this may look like expanded availability of recycling and waste handling facilities to ensure every region has access to recycling.
As NOVA’s Director of Sustainability and Auxiliary Services, Rob Johnson is the main point of contact for the College for both college efforts and as part of the VCCS team to address the future phases of the Executive Order. He can be reached at rojohnson@nvcc.edu.
Submitted by:
Rob Johnson, Director of Sustainability and Aux. Svcs., ROJohnson@nvcc.edu