"Plastic-Free" University: An Analysis of Student Feedback on Plastic-Free Approach to University Life

Abstract

The transition toward a plastic-free university environment is often surrounded by a complex discussion of individual ethics, infrastructural limitations, and impact of mass culture and market dynamics of available sustainable offers and innovative products. The primary objective of this research is to map the systemic determinants and  inter-dependencies that govern the transition toward a plastic-free university ecosystem. By utilizing a "living laboratory" research framework during sustainability study modules at Vilniaus kolegija, this study explores the "green gap” by analyzing student feedback on their daily consumption behaviors. This in-depth longitudinal research was conducted in early 2026 to represent the emerging key thematic clusters in the discussion of sustainability at university campus: social individual responsibility, the necessity of supportive infrastructure, the impact of mass culture, and the role of corporate social responsibility (CSR) for creating sustainable supply. This paper argues that while individual agency is a critical starting point, however, the systemic change is achievable through a synchronized effort between institutional university policy and producer-led innovation.