Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
While substantial progress has been made in increasing access to clean drinking water and sanitation, billions of people—mostly in rural areas—still lack these basic services. Learn more at un.org. 
What We’re Doing
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Purchase Helps Divert Unwanted Paint from Landfills
Working with GreenSheen, a leader in paint recycling, thousands of cans were dropped off by community members.
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Proper Medication Disposal
Health Services houses a medication collection box to promote proper disposal of unused medication and to ensure unwanted chemicals don’t leach into our waterways -
Stormwater Management Program Plan
Facilities Management has a Stormwater Management Program Plan that addresses best management practices (BMPs) and contain measurable goals for control measures. -
Bioswale improves local and regional water quality
A bioswale is a channel created to filter rainwater runoff and improve local groundwater quality.
Ways to Get Involved
- Use the Hydration Stations around campus.
- Follow “Leave No Trace” principles in outdoor areas on campus
- Properly dispose any excess or unused medication in Health Services
- Join student organizations such as: GreenFee, NYPIRG, UNICEF and others
- Attend Sustainability Advisory and Outreach Committee meetings
Academics
- Purchase offers classes related to water conservation and ecosystems. Check out courses in Liberal Studies and Environmental Studies to learn more*
*Contact us if you want your department course page listed
What Else We’re Doing
- Facilities and Environmental Health & Safety work to ensure there is adequate potable water and has processes for back-flow prevention through annual water testing
- Facilities works within the community to reduce the pollutants in our local water supply
- To reduce pollution in our waterways, the Office of Residential and Student Life has started handing out reusable bags at Orientation in lieu of plastic or single use bags