PHX Reporter

July is Plastic Sustainability Month, a time to focus on the critical importance of recycling and other waste reduction practices. Recycling plastic helps reduce pollution, conserve resources, and minimize the environmental footprint of our daily lives. Beyond recycling, adopting practices like reusing items, reducing single-use plastics, and choosing sustainable alternatives are essential steps toward a healthier planet. By embracing these habits, we can collectively mitigate the harmful impacts of plastic waste and contribute to a more sustainable future.

This month, sustainability advocate and senior administrative specialist at Paradise Valley Community College (PVCC), Laura Mazzocchi, shared her passion for the planet, all its creatures, and how college campuses and the community at large can create a more thoughtful mindset for sustainability.

When asked why sustainability is crucial for college campuses, Mazzocchi responded: "Sustainability is a crucial issue everywhere. College campuses can lead by example and provide valuable information to students and staff to help them make more informed decisions, not just for themselves but for the planet. Today’s young students will be dealing with the consequences of our lifestyle for a long time to come, so we have a responsibility to teach and show them better and less destructive ways of living."

Mazzocchi's advocacy was inspired by her affinity for animals: "I’ve always had an affinity for all animals, not just the cute fuzzy ones. Sometime during college, it occurred to me how random it is that we love some animals and kill/eat others, so I became a vegetarian. Since then, I’ve gained so much knowledge about environmental issues and sustainability."

She incorporates sustainability into her life by reducing her use of non-sustainable or non-renewable items: "There are so many easy alternatives people can start with." These include avoiding plastic packaging, limiting single-use items like paper towels in favor of reusable cloths, using refillable body care products without plastic bottles, cleaning with natural substances like vinegar or baking soda instead of bottled cleaners, conserving water through mindful usage habits such as shorter showers or combining laundry loads.

The long-term benefits of adopting sustainable practices on campus are numerous according to Mazzocchi: "Reducing and/or eliminating the use of plastic water bottles would not only reduce costs but also lead to less trash and recycling." She emphasized that sustainable practices on campus teach individuals how to live sustainably off-campus as well.

Practical steps suggested by Mazzocchi include using personal water bottles instead of buying bottled water; bringing reusable utensils when purchasing lunch; saying no to single-use straws; opting for e-textbooks; taking notes electronically rather than on paper; recycling paper, aluminum, and plastic properly.

For reducing environmental footprints in daily life outside campus she advises thinking about how actions affect the environment: "Choose products that are not packaged in plastic when available," she says while suggesting shops like Mighty Nest or Sprouts for eco-friendly options.

PVCC has implemented several initiatives aimed at promoting sustainability including installing water bottle filler stations across all buildings; xeriscaping much of its campus grounds using refurbished tires; upgrading light fixtures with LED lighting controlled by timed switches; using green cleaning products throughout campus; placing side-by-side recycling/trash containers around campus areas.

Additionally PVCC offers educational programs focused on sustainability including an Associate in Arts (AAS) degree emphasizing sustainability/environmental studies as well as certificates (CCL) in sustainability which may require coursework across multiple Maricopa County Community College District campuses.