In a significant step towards sustainability, CU Boulder is going all in on axing single-use plastics from its campus beverage services. Following a new 10-year agreement with PepsiCo Beverages, the university has decided to phase out the petrochemical convenience that has become nearly synonymous with modern campus life, according to CU Boulder Today. "This contract is a bold step forward in our commitment to environmental stewardship," Chancellor Justin Schwartz expressed, underscoring the initiative's harmony with the university's Climate Action Plan (CAP).
Distinctly, CU Boulder's approach sets it apart from other institutions by not allowing any exemptions for vending machines or other third-party vendors, a common loophole in such agreements. A system without a plastic crutch is what they're building towards, and the partnership with PepsiCo Beverages, known for its sustainability measures like electric vehicle fleets and product recovery schemes, is central to these sweeping changes.
In a move that demonstrates a compelling marriage between corporate capability and institutional ambition, the university has shifted to non-plastic alternatives at no extra cost to itself. PepsiCo, in turn, expects a move towards more sustainable materials such as aluminum and glass for its campus beverage containers. This transition is already underway, with vending machines and campus eateries beginning the shift on July 7th, noted by CU Boulder Today.
