Eliminating Single-Use Plastics in Higher Education

Brought to you by SPLC and our Higher Ed Partner NAEP

Single-use plastics elimination is typically framed as a waste-diversion effort, but it is equally a critical procurement challenge. This webinar looks at how higher education institutions are moving beyond basic recycling initiatives to strategically reduce plastic usage at the source, transforming campus sourcing, vendor management, and long-term sustainability strategy. 

Speakers from the University at Buffalo and the University of Virginia will walk through the mechanics of their policies: how requirements get written into vendor contracts, how compliance is enforced across dining, events, and licensed merchandise, and what it actually takes to keep a sustainability commitment in place once the external pressure that created it disappears — UB's policy operates under a state university system mandate, while UVA's began under a state executive order that was later rescinded, yet the university's own policy remained in place.

For sustainability and procurement professionals building supplier-facing Scope 3 requirements of their own, this session offers a real-world look at policy durability — and a candid discussion of what data institutions still need to make the emissions case to leadership.

You'll leave with:

• A comparison of top-down (system mandate) vs. institution-retained (policy outlives its mandate) approaches to plastics procurement policy
• Practical insight into vendor compliance and contract language for single-use plastics restrictions
• Discussion questions to bring back to your own institution's procurement team

Presenters:

Bradley Pryba, Chief Executive Officer, National Association of Educational Procurement (NAEP)

Brad Pryba is Chief Executive Officer of the National Association of Educational Procurement (NAEP), where he leads efforts to support, connect, and advance procurement professionals across higher education. Since joining NAEP in September 2023, he has focused on strengthening the association, expanding learning and collaboration, and elevating procurement’s strategic value within colleges and universities.

Brad has experience leading and advising trade and professional associations, including work in strategic planning, governance, organizational development, legal affairs, and government relations. He has practiced as an attorney and lobbyist, addressing education and procurement issues at the state and local levels.

He earned his Juris Doctor from St. John’s University School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts from Middlebury College.

Erin Moscati, Zero Waste Manager, University at Buffalo

Erin has spent over two decades working to infuse sustainable practices into campus culture at UB.  As the Zero Waste Manager, Erin was responsible for creating UB’s Zero Waste Strategic Plan.  This plan identifies 10 areas of focus which are being used to guide development of data management and metrics tools; zero waste design standards; forward-facing collection infrastructure; organics diversion; behavior change programming; and comprehensive hauling contracts.  Erin works collaboratively across campus to implement these strategies and with the broader community to leverage opportunities to expand zero waste.

Lauren Fenush, Senior Buying Specialist, Procurement Services, University at Buffalo

With over a decade of experience in higher education procurement, Lauren Fenush focuses on optimizing processes, driving efficiencies, and advancing sustainable procurement practices. Since entering the field in 2010, she has developed deep expertise in procurement systems, including supporting the successful implementation of Jaggaer in 2019. She holds a certification from the Sustainability Purchasing Leadership Council and is actively leading efforts to eliminate single-use plastics across the University at Buffalo campus. Lauren is passionate about customer service and is committed to helping others navigate complex systems with ease. Known for building strong relationships and providing reliable support, she is a trusted resource in the procurement community, helping institutions enhance operations and achieve greater success.

Dana Schroeder, Waste Reduction Outreach Manager, University of Virginia Office for Sustainability

Dana Schroeder (she/her) is an Outreach & Engagement Manager focused on waste reduction. She helps guide many Zero Waste programs and initiatives in addition to maintaining Waste Infrastructure Standards for the University. She is particularly interested in behavioral psychology and social norms as they relate to waste sorting and diversion. Dana holds an Environmental Economics degree from the University of Georgia and a master’s degree from Indiana University’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs. She is a new mom, a swing dancer, and a collector of cookbooks.

Questions? Please send an e-mail to events@sustainablepurchasing.org.