On Campus

The end of bottled water

Bishop’s University becomes first in Quebec to ban bottled water, as part of growing national trend

Bishop’s University has become the first university in Quebec to follow a growing national trend, by banning the sale of single use bottled water on campus. Last year, a group of students started an initiative called “Think Global, Drink Local” to draw attention to the environmental impact of  bottled water. Three quarters of students who participated in a March referendum voted for the ban.

The university cites discarded bottles, the carbon footprint left by transporting bottled water, and the fact that each plastic bottle requires twice its volume in water to make, as reasons for the move. Bishop’s will also be phasing out the use of 18 liter water coolers, and water fountains will be upgraded to include a spout designed to fill reusable water containers.

For those keeping score, Bishop’s brings the tally to at least nine universities and colleges that have banned or are planning to ban the sale of bottled water. Others include: the University of Winnipeg, Brandon University, Queen’s University, Ryerson University, University of Ottawa, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Trent University, and Fleming College.

-Photo by Cesar Vivas

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