RENEW: Making a Difference Through Everyday Acts of Sustainability
Making a difference through everyday acts of sustainability
Did you know…
- On average, each person in the United States uses approximately 167 single-use plastic water bottles annually.
- The New School generates around two and a half million pounds of waste each year.
- Annually, the university’s RENEW campaign is estimated to reduce over 2 million single-use plastic bottles from use and prevent over 14,000 pounds of plastic from entering our oceans.
Pick up your free reusable water bottle starting this week!
As part of The New School’s commitment to sustainability, the university will be providing free reusable water bottles to all members of our community (New School ID required) to eliminate single-use plastics on our campus. We are launching this campaign, suggested by student leaders, to help make a difference through simple, everyday acts of sustainability. Our water bottle initiative is one of a number of important steps the university will take this year to improve our practices and processes.
Pick up your water bottle at collection stations around campus and join one of the sustainability events this week presented by our partner, water bottle manufacturer Didomi, a social enterprise founded by African immigrants dedicated to addressing the global water crisis. With the introduction of 12,500 Didomi bottles into our community, an estimated 2,087,000 plastic water bottles will be removed from use.
Join the Conversation
We hope to see you at one of the events listed below, where you can also customize your water bottle with special materials, enjoy some free food, and learn more about the water crisis.
The New School’s ‘Oasis’
The ‘Oasis’ is intended to be a dynamic community event and a platform to engage students in vital discussions about the water crisis, environmental justice, and sustainability. Didomi will present Innovate for Impact: Forging a Sustainable Future through Social Entrepreneurship, specially designed for members of our community who are passionate about environmental justice, social entrepreneurship, art and activism, and global perspectives. Didomi CEO and co-founder, Lamah Bililty, and artists Michael Negussie and Brian Bishop will share insights on the company’s journey, impact, and the challenges of being a social enterprise in today’s world.
Wednesday, January 24, 2024:
- Innovate for Impact presented by Didomi 10:30am – 11:00am @ UC Tishman Auditorium, Room U100
- Giveaways, interactive exhibit, and customization 11:00am – 6:00pm @ UC Event Café
Thursday, January 25, 2024:
- Innovate for Impact presented by Didomi 11:30am – 12:00pm @ UC Tishman Auditorium, Room U100
- Giveaways, interactive exhibit, and customization 12:00pm – 6:00pm @ UC Event Café
Water Bottle Collection and Refill Stations
If you’re unable to attend one of this week’s events, water bottles will be available for pick up through March 1, Monday – Friday from 10:00am – 6:00pm.
- University Center Lobby, 63 Fifth Avenue
- 66 West 12th Street Lobby
- 55 West 13th Street Lobby
- 6 East 16th Street Lobby
The university has installed new water refill stations throughout campus, in addition to the existing stations, to provide more access points to water. View the map of locations here.
Having an Impact
Didomi allocates 50% of its profits to fund clean water projects in countries such as Kenya, Ethiopia, and Uganda, in partnership with their NGO partners LiftUp, Stream of Hope and Water is Life. This commitment extends to all its sales, including those for our RENEW campaign. Learn more about Didomi here.
Sustainability at The New School
The health of the planet depends on the decisions we make regarding resource consumption and our commitment to creatively addressing environmental challenges as a community. Learn more about our university’s commitment: