Binghamton University Chief Sustainability Officer Weighs in on SUNY Schools Phasing out Single-Use Plastics

Following the announcement that all SUNY Schools will have to phase out single-use plastics, Binghamton University chimes in.

Earlier this week, Chancellor John B. King Jr. announced that all SUNY Schools will need to phase out single-use plastics. Pam Mischen, Binghamton University Chief Sustainability Officer, says that she is excited for the change and for universities to take another step towards a sustainable future.

“By eliminating single-use plastics, we are cutting down on our oil consumption and cutting down on the amount of waste,” said Mischen. “Only about 9% of plastics actually get recycled.”

SUNY Universities are required to get rid of items like plastic bags, bottles, food containers, and balloons. Plastic bottles need to be removed by 2027 and plastic straws by 2024.

“I think something that people will see is that items in vending machines will have to turn into aluminum cans and those might be more expensive,” she said. “So, that cost might be passed onto the consumer and will be noticed on campus.”

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