Eckerd Reduce Single-Use
Our Project:
Our goal is to educate about the harmful effects of single-use plastics, encourage individuals to reduce their plastic consumption by choosing to refuse, and work towards policy changes.
In 2018, Eckerd College was awarded $115,124 from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Marine Debris Program (NOAA MDP) to reduce single-use plastic on campus. This grant led to the signing of a Break Free from Plastics Commitment, implemented in January 2019.
In 2020, Eckerd and the University of North Florida secured a new NOAA MDP grant, receiving almost $150,000 to expand the Eckerd successes to the University of North Florida. Our new grant also involves using a beta-version of an app which allows users to be accountable for their consumption by recording use and refusal of single-use plastic.
In 2022, Eckerd College was awarded almost $500,000 grant from the US Environmental Protection Agency - Trash Free Waters program to upgrade the app and launch a campaign to promote its use in St. Petersburg, FL -- our hometown. In addition to individual accountability, the collective data from app users can be used to guide public policy. To this end, we encourage global use of the app.
Stay updated by following us on Instagram at @eckerdreducesingleuse
Or email us at reducesingleuse@eckerd.edu
Click the link above to learn more about the Reduce Single-Use Team and how to get in contact with us.
Interested in how to reduce your single-use plastic consumption? Check out this page to learn more about how you can help!
From installing water bottle filling stations to eliminating plastic bags at the campus bookstore, this page details some of our most notable accomplishments.
Click the link above to learn more about our projects initiatives, including beach cleanups, plastic-centric courses, and plastic reduction challenges.
Statistics & Data
Data was collected from coastal and campus cleanups, water bottle filling stations, and plastic reduction challenges, as well as observations of single-use plastic and alternative item use.
Take a look at our calendar for a complete list of previous and upcoming events! Stay tuned for exciting new opportunities.
We encourage you to flip through our photo gallery to look at some of the highlights from the past two years!
This page contains a detailed list of DIY reusable alternative projects as well as minimal waste recipes!
Water Bottle Filling Stations Map
Please check out the map of the water bottle filling station's on Eckerd's Campus! Click each point to learn more about the exact location of each station.