Commitment to Reducing Plastic Use

Universitas Islam Sultan Agung (UNISSULA) is committed to reducing the use of plastic across university operations and activities as part of its broader environmental sustainability efforts.

The university recognises that reducing unnecessary plastic consumption, especially single-use plastic, is an important step toward responsible resource use, waste reduction, and more sustainable campus practices.

Institutional Policy

UNISSULA formalised its plastic reduction commitment through Circular Letter No. 8411/J/SA/IX/2025, dated 10 September 2025.

The circular applies across faculties, RSIGM, bureaux, institutions, technical units, administrative units, and other relevant parts of the university.

The policy was established to reduce plastic use and support more sustainable environmental management across UNISSULA.

Reduction of Plastic Use Across University Activities

UNISSULA requires all university units to reduce plastic use, particularly single-use plastic, in activities including:

• Academic activities;
• Administrative activities;
• Meetings;
• Seminars;
• Student activities; and
• University services.

This broad scope helps ensure that plastic reduction is integrated into everyday university operations.

Focus on Single-Use Plastic

Single-use plastic is a major focus of the university’s reduction efforts.

These items are generally used only once before disposal and can contribute significantly to waste generation.

By reducing the provision and use of single-use plastic, UNISSULA seeks to limit unnecessary waste and encourage more sustainable consumption habits.

Reusable Alternatives

The university encourages the use of reusable items and more environmentally responsible alternatives.

Examples include:

• Reusable food containers;
• Reusable drinking containers;
• Refillable bottles;
• Reusable bags; and
• Non-plastic packaging.

This approach supports a gradual shift from disposable consumption toward repeated use and resource efficiency.

Refillable Drinking Bottles

Refillable drinking bottles are encouraged as an alternative to disposable plastic bottles.

The use of refillable containers can help reduce the number of single-use plastic bottles generated during meetings, seminars, academic activities, and daily campus life.

Reusable Food and Drink Containers

UNISSULA also encourages the use of reusable food and drink containers.

This supports the reduction of disposable cups, plastic food containers, and other single-use packaging associated with university activities.

Reusable Bags

Reusable bags are promoted as an alternative to single-use plastic bags.

Using durable bags repeatedly reduces demand for disposable plastic and contributes to more responsible consumption practices.

Non-Plastic Packaging

Where practical alternatives are available, university units are encouraged to choose non-plastic packaging.

This can reduce dependence on plastic materials and support procurement decisions that generate less plastic waste.

Sustainable Procurement

Plastic reduction is also incorporated into university procurement practices.

UNISSULA directs the procurement of goods and consumption for university activities to prioritise products that use as little plastic as possible.

This extends plastic reduction beyond individual behaviour and into institutional purchasing decisions.

Minimising Plastic in University Events

Meetings, seminars, workshops, ceremonies, student activities, and other university events can generate significant amounts of single-use plastic.

The university therefore encourages organisers to minimise plastic use when planning food, beverages, packaging, and other event-related supplies.

This may include greater use of reusable containers and alternative packaging.

Reducing Plastic in Food and Beverage Services

Food and beverage provision is an important area for plastic reduction.

University units are encouraged to avoid unnecessary use of disposable plastic packaging, cups, bottles, bags, and utensils where suitable alternatives are available.

This complements UNISSULA’s wider sustainable food and responsible procurement practices.

Plastic Reduction in Administrative Activities

Plastic reduction also applies to administrative and office operations.

Units are encouraged to consider reusable or lower-plastic alternatives when purchasing supplies and organising internal activities.

This helps integrate plastic minimisation into routine operational decisions.

Plastic Reduction in Student Activities

Student activities are included within the university-wide plastic reduction framework.

Student organisations and activity organisers are therefore encouraged to minimise single-use plastic and make greater use of reusable or more sustainable alternatives.

This helps extend environmental awareness throughout the campus community.

Procurement with Minimal Plastic

When purchasing goods for university activities, units are directed to prioritise products that use minimal plastic.

This may include selecting products with:

• Reduced plastic packaging;
• Reusable packaging;
• Refillable formats;
• Non-plastic alternatives; or
• Packaging designed for longer use.

The objective is to reduce plastic at the point of procurement rather than only managing it after it becomes waste.

Avoiding Single-Use Plastic Where Alternatives Exist

The university’s policy explicitly directs units to avoid providing single-use plastic when more sustainable alternatives are available.

This principle is important because waste prevention begins with reducing unnecessary material consumption.

Responsible Consumption

Plastic minimisation is part of UNISSULA’s broader approach to responsible consumption.

The university seeks to encourage the campus community to consider:

• Whether plastic is necessary;
• Whether an item can be reused;
• Whether a refillable option is available;
• Whether non-plastic packaging can be used; and
• Whether procurement can be made with less material.

These considerations help reduce unnecessary waste.

Waste Prevention

Reducing plastic use at source is one of the most effective ways to prevent plastic waste.

By focusing on consumption and procurement, UNISSULA seeks to prevent waste before it is generated.

This complements the university’s waste segregation, measurement, recycling, and disposal practices.

Supporting Resource Efficiency

Reusable products generally remain in use longer than disposable products.

Encouraging their use therefore supports greater resource efficiency and reduces repeated consumption of single-use materials.

This contributes to more sustainable university operations.

Campus Environmental Awareness

The implementation of plastic reduction also contributes to building environmental awareness among:

• Students;
• Academic staff;
• Administrative staff;
• University leaders;
• Student organisations; and
• Service providers.

Consistent institutional practices can help reinforce sustainable habits throughout the university community.

Relationship with Waste Reduction

Plastic use minimisation is closely connected with waste reduction.

Reducing plastic at the source can result in:

Less plastic purchased → Less single-use plastic consumed → Less plastic waste generated → Reduced disposal burden

This strengthens the university’s overall waste-management strategy.

Responsible Consumption and Production

UNISSULA’s plastic reduction approach contributes to SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.

Reducing unnecessary plastic use, promoting reusable alternatives, and incorporating plastic minimisation into procurement help create more sustainable consumption patterns within the university.

Evidence of Implementation

UNISSULA’s plastic use minimisation framework is demonstrated through:

1. Circular Letter No. 8411/J/SA/IX/2025.
2. Institution-wide requirements to reduce plastic use.
3. Explicit emphasis on reducing single-use plastic.
4. Application to academic activities.
5. Application to administrative activities.
6. Application to meetings and seminars.
7. Application to student activities.
8. Application to university services.
9. Encouragement of reusable food and drink containers.
10. Promotion of refillable bottles.
11. Promotion of reusable bags.
12. Encouragement of non-plastic packaging.
13. Procurement practices that prioritise minimal plastic use.
14. Avoidance of single-use plastic where more sustainable alternatives are available.