Reducing and Eliminating the use of Plastic Bags at the University of Alaska Anchorage: A Feasibility Report By: Gabriel Esposito and Raine Becker

Overview  Introduction  Criteria  Methodology  Research Results  Conclusion  Recommendations

Introduction  Evaluated the feasibility of removing all plastic bags from the University of Alaska Anchorage campus as well as distributing cloth reusable bags to students who live on campus.  Researched the effects of plastic bags on the Alaskan environment and the benefit to UAA campus. Focusing on three factors:  Student Body/ Staff Participation  Budget and Cost  Effects on UAA campus

Criteria for Feasibility  Does UAA’s sustainability budget have room for distributing reusable bags to students on campus?  Is it feasible to keep normal operation at UAA after having removed plastic bags?  Will the students of UAA support our proposal?  Will our proposal help the environment around UAA?

Methodology  We created a questionnaire that asked participants about demographics, their living situation in relation to UAA’s campus, their spending habits, what they did with plastic bags they received, and what they thought of UAA’s recycling program.  We distributed questionnaires to UAA students.  We analyzed the data from the questionnaires and created relevant graphs.  We used demographics in coordination with data gathered from our questionnaire to make statements about trends at UAA.  We used the UAA/APU Consortium Library’s online search engine to gather relevant articles to support our claims about plastic bags.  We used the UAA/APU Consortium Library’s online search engine to gather relevant articles to support our claims about climate change.  We searched reputable government sites for relevant information on climate change specific to Alaska. (Ex, epa.gov)

Research Results: The Sustainability Budget  Budget for UAA’s Sustainability Department is $4,000.  It would cost $6,000 ($6.25 per bag) per semester to order cloth bags for the 950 students who live on campus.  This could be added as a small fee for students who will be living in housing.  As far as scope is concerned, plastic bags are cheaper and the proposal won’t save money, but $6,000 is a small price to pay.

Research Results: UAA Campus Effects  It is feasible for UAA to operate without plastic bags.  The Bear Necessities at Gorsuch Commons would be able to use paper bags and of course accept the cloth bags provided by the university.  The stores and establishments around campus like in the Student Union would use paper bags.

Primary Research  Would you like to see a better recycling program at UAA?

Primary Research  Would you use a cloth bag or provided paper bag?

Primary Research  What do you do with plastic bags you receive at UAA Bookstore (18-25 yo)?

Conclusion  Students want to see a change in the recycling program at UAA and would most likely  The cost of buying cloth bags is $6,000 for 950 students on housing- this is affordable.  As long as plastic waste is not recycled or reduced then it will harm UAA Campus, Anchorage, Alaska Environment

Recommendations  More research is recommended  A larger survey pool and more campus outreach  Larger feasibility study should be conducted  A detailed financial project should be developed  Scientific studies, UAA campus statistics, and student support show that this project and program are feasible.