On 18 September 2024, Xavier University, through the Social Involvement and Advocacy Program (SIAP) under the Social Development Cluster, held a Brown Bag Session to strengthen its "No to Plastics" initiative.
SIAP’s brown bag sessions are informal sessions that focuses on discussions around various topics not limited to social issues and concerns, and university policies. These sessions are designed to foster communication, encourage the exchange of ideas, and build partnerships within participants. Unlike formal meetings, brown bag sessions emphasize a more relaxed environment that can spark creativity and allow for open, two-way dialogue. Participants may listen to presentations and engage in discussions along the way.
The session took place in the AVR 3 of the School of Business and Management (SBM) Building, Level 1. The event aimed to revisit the university’s 2018 policy banning single-use plastics, with University President Fr Mars P Tan, SJ, leading the presentation. A total of 27 participants joined the session mainly composed of the members of Laudato Si and Green Campus Agenda Committees and some key unit and cluster representatives in XU. The discussion is aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), 13 (Climate Action), and 14 (Life Below Water) to enhance and advance our campus’s sustainability efforts.
In his presentation, Fr Mars emphasized the environmental dangers of plastic waste, pointing out that only 12% of plastics are efficiently recycled while the rest contributes to long-term environmental damage. The session highlighted Xavier University's progress, including the installation of water refill stations and the promotion of reusable alternatives like tumblers and bento boxes. Despite these successes, Fr Mars acknowledged challenges in enforcing the policy, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Attendees were encouraged to reeducate students, implement stronger monitoring measures, and extend the policy to cover more types of plastic waste.
Several participants shared insights on improving the policy’s implementation. Dr Astrid Cinco from McKeough Marine Center reflected on the policy's impact, questioning its effectiveness in balancing environmental, economic, and social concerns. Pollution Control Officer Joel Francisco emphasized the importance of infrastructure improvements, noting that the Material Recovery Facility has helped collect data showing significant decreases in plastic waste generation. CSG Representative Nicolai Wong stressed the need for a culture of environmental awareness among students, advocating for the normalization of sustainable practices within the university community.
In his closing remarks, Engr Dexter Lo, Vice President for Social Development, urged continued engagement from the entire university community. Action steps were outlined, including forming committees to monitor progress, expanding advocacy efforts beyond the campus, and influencing suppliers and partners to align with Xavier University’s environmental sustainability goals.