I.
Introduction a.
Products made from materials such as Styrofoam and plastic derive from petrochemical sources and degrade slowly once introduced into the environment.
As such, the frequent use and disposal of these products has a lasting impact on the environment and is not sustainable for our future. Although recycling and proper disposal are possible solutions, the University of Nevada does not currently recycle LDPE-type plastics (plastic bags) and no local Styrofoam recycling centers exist. Therefore, the Sustainable Energy Network seeks to reduce the daily usage of these products on the University of Nevada campus.
Effort will be concentrated on the elimination and reduction of polystyrene and plastic products by campus vendors.
II.
Objectives a.
Work with campus vendors to replace their polystyrene containers with biodegradable substitutes. In return, we hope to promote a green brand for their on-campus vendor. b.
Work with campus vendors to reduce their usage of non - #1, #2, or #5 type plastics, namely plastic bags. This may come in the form of providing students the option of having their food wrapped in a plastic bag. c.
Through the Associated Students of the University of Nevada Senate, impose limitations on the purchasing of non-sustainable products using club funding.
Though some may see this as an unnecessary burden, we see it as a means to promote the University of Nevada as an institution devoted to sustainability. d.
Work individually with the various departments and colleges to reduce or eliminate the purchasing of non-sustainable products used for such activities as meetings, student events, etc.
III.
Definitions a.
Non-sustainable products: Products that currently possess no means of proper disposal locally and/or on campus. For our purposes, this includes plastics of types other than #1, #2, or #5 (due to campus limitations) and polystyrene products b.
#1 Plastic ( polyethylene terephtalate ): Most disposable soda and water bottles; the appearance is usually clear c.
#2 Plastic ( high density polyethylene ): Milk jugs, detergent bottles, juice bottles, butter tubs; toiletries bottles; appearance is usually opaque d.
#5 Plastic (polypropylene): Yogurt cups, cloudy water bottles, ketchup and syrup bottles, and straws

IV.
Participating Members a.
Carolyn Turner, Eric Crone, Julianne Zotter, Steven DelaCruz, Diana Dorman
V.
Plan of Action a.
Identify exactly what can be improved at certain vendors on campus i.
Keva Juice: Styrofoam cups ii.
Port-of-Subs: Plastic Bags iii.
Panda Express: Dark Plastics and Styrofoam containers b.
Present our interests to the various people in charge of the various vendors on campus (UNR ResLife and the Joe Crowley Administration) c.
Gain signatures (preferably electronic) from students for the purpose of lobbying the ASUN Senate; push students to contact their Senate representatives; present to the Senate the necessity of imposing a sustainability limitation on club funding d.
Contact the various department/college administrators (deans, secretaries, etc.) to identify areas of purchasing that may be non-sustainable. Discuss with them the possibility of reducing or eliminating such purchases. i.
College of Liberal Arts ii.
College of Engineering iii.
College of Business iv.
College of Education v.
College of Science vi.
College of Agriculture, Biotechnology, and Natural Resources vii.
Division of Health Sciences viii.
Reynolds School of Journalism ix.
University of Nevada School of Medicine
VI.
Funding a.
No expenses are projected for this project
VII.
Important Contacts a.
The Student University Advisory Board i.
http://www.unr.edu/union/about-the-student-union/student-unionadvisory-board b.
Joe Crowley Administration i.
http://www.unr.edu/union/contact-us c.
UNR Residential Life i.
http://www.unr.edu/housing/contact-us
VIII.
Relevant Websites a.
Recycling at the University of Nevada

i.
http://www.recycling.unr.edu/faq.html
b.
Definitions of different types of plastics i.
http://ecovillagegreen.com/903/what-do-the-plastic-recycling-numbersmean/
IX.
Supporting Documents a.
Insert Diana’s Marketing Deck