From coffee cups to carryout containers, the small choices Huskers make each day add up — often in the form of waste. Sustainability ambassador Mia Perales is helping students pause, rethink their routines and make greener habits part of campus life.
“Our job is to amplify sustainability efforts on campus and to get students connected with all the different resources we have,” Perales said. “We’re really working to create a culture around sustainability.”
The Sustainability Ambassador Program, a partnership between the Office of Sustainability and Housing and Dining, works to help Husker students, staff and faculty be more environmentally-minded in their day-to-day lives on campus.
Having conversations around campus about sustainability practices connected Perales to her community.
“We really felt like the peer-to-peer component of our push for sustainability was missing,” Perales said. “I really love being able to talk with fellow Huskers because being sustainable can apply to any major, job or aspect of life — there’s something each of us can do to help.”
She said that taking advantage of some of the more convenient, cost-effective resources on campus is a great place to start, such as bringing reusable mugs to campus coffee shops, which usually offer a discount, or using a free bus pass.
Perales also wants to keep the momentum going on a newer initiative: OZZI containers, reusable food containers that students can use in dining halls across campus.
“OZZI containers are an easy way to help us reduce single-use containers when we eat. You can pick them up and drop them off at any of the dining halls, and Herbie’s Markets across campus, and all you have to do is remove any plastic or utensils when you’re done — you don’t have to worry about cleaning any food waste out.”
Last semester alone, Huskers used more than 100,000 OZZI containers — a huge jump from the 20,000 used during the 2024-2025 school year.
“Being in this program, I love that I can advocate for doing things collectively and contributing to a culture that goes beyond my personal choices," Perales said, "because sustainability affects all of us."
