1. Policy

1. Wherever possible, avoid purchasing/ordering single-use plastics for events or group meals hosted by or taking place at the Center for Healthy Minds (CHM).

   1. We have glass pitchers, drinking glasses, plates, serving utensils and mugs for use.

   2. When ordering food, check the box not to include utensils.

   3. When ordering coffee, check the box or request without sugar packets/stirrers or cup lids.

2. Definitions

1. Single-use plastics = plastic products that are used once and then discarded (eg. plastic water bottles, plastic utensils, etc.)

2. Meals / food = consumable items purchased following UW-Madison rules.

3. CHM event = any gathering, meeting, with participants internal or external to CHM that is organized by CHM staff.

3. Rationale

This policy leads us towards our vision of creating a kinder, wiser, more compassionate world, by showing compassion for the environment and respecting the resources we share. 

Here is some research about the potential effects of microplastic on human health:

Luo, J., & Lin, S. (2025). Association between microplastics exposure and depressive symptoms in college students. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 295, 118142.

UNM Researchers Find Alarmingly High Levels of Microplastics in Human Brains – and Concentrations are Growing Over Time

Winiarska, E., Jutel, M., & Zemelka-Wiacek, M. (2024). The potential impact of nano- and microplastics on human health: Understanding human health risks. Environmental Research, 251(2), 118535.

D. Resources: 

It is relatively easy to request that serving and eating utensils not be included when ordering food as a way to cut down on plastic waste. Food vendors usually have a way to make this request when ordering online and you can ask when ordering over the phone. There is also a note on our food vendor spreadsheet if a vendor sends a lot of individual packages for the food.