Policy for minimisation of plastic use

Contents

1. Purpose of the Policy

2. Scope of the Policy

3. Legal Framework and National Strategic Mandate

4. Policy Statement

5. Implementation and Responsibilities

6. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting

7. Policy Review and Continuous Improvement

1. Purpose of the Policy

1.1. Qassim University recognizes the urgent national and global need to reduce plastic consumption and mitigate its environmental impacts. This policy outlines the University's commitment to minimizing the use of single-use and non-biodegradable plastics across all facilities, operations, and activities.

1.2. The University aims to become a model green campus within the Kingdom, integrating environmental sustainability into daily operations and educational culture.

1.3. Through this policy, Qassim University contributes to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and supports Saudi Arabia's environmental and circular-economy objectives under Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative (SGI).

2. Scope of the Policy

2.1. This policy applies to all colleges, deanships, administrative units, research centers, and service facilities of Qassim University.

2.2. It covers procurement and supply operations, university catering and food services, academic and administrative events, research and laboratory activities, and all student and staff initiatives on campus.

2.3. The policy applies to all members of the university community - students, faculty, administrative staff, contractors, and suppliers.

3. Legal Framework and National Strategic Mandate

3.1. This policy is founded upon the following legal and strategic instruments of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia:

• Environment Law (Royal Decree No. M/165 of 2020): Mandates institutions to prevent environmental degradation, reduce waste generation, and implement sustainable consumption practices.
• Executive Regulations of the Environment Law (2021): Define responsibilities for waste minimization and introduce measures for extended producer responsibility (EPR).
• National Center for Waste Management (NCWM) Strategy (2021): Targets waste diversion of 82% from landfills by 2035 and promotes reduction of single-use plastics.
• Saudi Vision 2030: Calls for responsible consumption and enhanced environmental stewardship under its "Vibrant Society" and "Thriving Economy" pillars.
• Saudi Green Initiative (SGI, 2021): Promotes national efforts to reduce plastic waste, conserve ecosystems, and transition toward circular economy practices.

3.2. Qassim University's implementation of this policy therefore represents institutional compliance with national sustainability directives and contributes directly to the Kingdom's Vision 2030 environmental goals.

4. Policy Statement

4.1. Qassim University commits to minimizing the use of single-use and non-biodegradable plastics across all its operations and to replacing them with sustainable, recyclable, or biodegradable alternatives, in line with its wider sustainable campus initiatives.

4.2. This policy forms part of Qassim University's broader contribution to Sustainable Development Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). The University actively promotes responsible consumption and resource management through:

• Sustainable Campus Operations: Implementing energy-efficient technologies, reducing water consumption, and maintaining waste segregation and recycling systems across all facilities, ensuring plastic waste is minimized at the source.
• Curriculum Integration: Embedding topics on sustainable consumption, waste reduction, and circular economy principles within academic courses, preparing students to understand and address plastic-related environmental challenges.
• Research for Sustainability: Supporting faculty and student research projects on waste reduction, plastic alternatives, renewable energy, and sustainable agriculture, contributing to national innovation on sustainability solutions.
• Awareness and Engagement: Conducting year-round awareness campaigns, training sessions, and workshops to educate students, faculty, and staff about the impacts of plastic pollution and the importance of sustainable habits.
• Community Outreach: Collaborating with local communities, NGOs, schools, and municipal authorities to promote responsible consumption and plastic waste reduction beyond the campus.
• Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Encouraging student-led innovation and entrepreneurship projects that offer creative, market-based solutions to reduce or replace plastics in daily use.

4.3. Specific objectives under this policy include:

• Achieve a measurable annual reduction of 10% in plastic consumption across all campus operations.
• Eliminate the use of single-use plastic bottles, straws, cups, cutlery, and bags in cafeterias, offices, and university events by 2027.
• Require all campus vendors and cafeterias to use paper or biodegradable carry bags and packaging instead of plastic.
• Encourage staff and students to use reusable water bottles, supported by free-of-charge water dispensers installed across all academic buildings, libraries, and recreational facilities.
• Replace plastic laboratory consumables with recyclable or reusable alternatives whenever feasible, supported by proper waste segregation and recycling procedures.
• Introduce a "Plastic-Free Event Guideline" ensuring that all internal university events avoid single-use plastics and promote environmentally responsible practices.
• Establish a Green Procurement Policy prioritizing suppliers who provide eco-friendly, recyclable, or biodegradable materials.
• Launch a Plastic-Free Campus Awareness Campaign that includes competitions, digital media outreach, and sustainability training to embed plastic minimization as a shared community value.

5. Implementation and Responsibilities

• The President of Qassim University, delegated through the relevant Vice-Presidents, Deans, and Directors, holds the ultimate responsibility for the implementation and enforcement of this Policy.
• Responsible General Administration Department: Ensures all purchase requests comply with the Green Procurement Policy and prohibit single-use plastics in contracts.
• Facilities and Services Department: Installs color-coded recycling bins, partners with local recycling companies, and maintains monthly waste audits.
• Deanship of Student Affairs: Organizes awareness campaigns, training, and sustainability clubs focused on plastic minimization.
• Campus Vendors and Contractors: Must use certified biodegradable or paper packaging and submit quarterly compliance reports.
• University Community: Expected to avoid plastic use in personal and academic activities and participate in the annual 'Plastic-Free Campus Challenge.

6. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting

6.1. Center for Sustainable Development shall establish baseline plastic-use data (kg/year) and measure progress using the following Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):

• Percentage reduction in plastic procurement year-on-year.
• Number of water refill stations installed.
• Proportion of vendors compliant with plastic-free standards.
• Volume of plastic waste recycled annually.

6.2. Annual results will be published in the University's Sustainability Report and shared with the National Center for Waste Management (NCWM).

7. Policy Review and Continuous Improvement

7.1. This Policy shall be reviewed every two years by the University Council, in consultation with appropriate internal and external bodies, to ensure its continued effectiveness, relevance, and alignment with national legislation and international best practices.

7.2. Continuous improvement measures include expansion of recycling infrastructure, community feedback surveys, and integration into curriculum and research initiatives.