Chloe Zhang
Plastic water bottles are a major contributor to single-use plastic waste, and colleges are increasingly taking steps to reduce their environmental impact by cutting down on their use. While some colleges have implemented initiatives to discourage the use of single-use plastic bottles, others have gone a step further by completely banning their sale on campus. This has sparked debates about convenience, environmental impact, and individual choice. This topic explores the actions colleges are taking to address plastic water bottle waste and the challenges they face in balancing sustainability goals with the needs and preferences of their students.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Colleges that have banned plastic water bottles | Macalester College, Minnesota's College of St. Benedict, Dartmouth College, Columbia University School of the Arts, Aquinas College, University of Michigan, Washington University, and Stanford University |
| Reason | Environmental concerns, reducing plastic waste, promoting recycling, and lowering costs associated with plastic |
| Alternatives | Reusable containers, refillable water bottles, glass carafes, pitchers, and glasses, and aluminum bottles |
| Impact | Reduced plastic pollution, improved recycling rates, and influenced behavioural change among students |
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What You'll Learn
Students are pushing for bans on plastic water bottles on campus
Students are increasingly pushing for bans on plastic water bottles on college campuses. With the average student generating up to 75 pounds of plastic waste per year, it is essential for higher education institutions to adopt sustainable methods for reducing and recycling plastic.
Many colleges and universities have taken steps to reduce plastic waste, such as providing reusable items and offering incentives for using them. Some universities have started to ban single-use plastics on campus, specifically targeting items designed for one-time use, such as water bottles, cutlery, and plastic bags.
For example, Dartmouth College has a successful reusable container program, which has now expanded into the Green2Go initiative, helping over 50 campuses nationwide implement similar programs. Other colleges, such as Eckerd College, have received grants to develop apps that help students track their single-use plastic consumption and reduce plastic waste.
Additionally, colleges are encouraging the use of personal reusable water bottles by setting up water bottle refilling stations across campuses. Some colleges have also removed bottled water from dining locations, restricting the possibility of waste build-up. These initiatives are in line with the growing movement towards "green jobs" and renewable energy, with colleges and students recognizing the importance of environmental stewardship.
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Eco-conscious colleges are banning plastic water bottles
Environmental issues are becoming increasingly important to college students, and some are pushing for bans on plastic water bottles on campus. Eco-conscious colleges and universities across the US and Canada are starting to ban plastic water bottles to reduce their environmental impact.
Macalester College and the College of St. Benedict in Minnesota have implemented policies banning the sale and purchase of plastic water bottles on campus. Macalester College senior Clair Pillsbury told The Star Tribune, "We don't buy bottled water." Washington University also stopped selling plastic water bottles back in 2009, and Columbia University's School of the Arts has eliminated single-use plastic water bottles in its facilities and at its events.
These colleges are taking a stand against the environmental impact of plastic water bottles, which are a significant contributor to single-use plastic waste. It's estimated that about 75% of plastic water bottles are thrown away, with Americans throwing away around half a billion bottles every week. The production of plastic water bottles also sends harmful pollutants into the air, and the bottles themselves can take hundreds of years to disintegrate.
Colleges are encouraging the use of personal reusable water bottles by providing water bottle refilling stations and offering alternatives such as aluminium bottles. Some universities are also starting to ban single-use plastics more broadly, targeting items designed for one-time use such as plastic cutlery and bags. These initiatives are part of a broader movement towards sustainability and reducing waste on college campuses, with students recognising their collective power to influence administrative decisions and push for more environmentally friendly practices.
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Alternatives to plastic water bottles on campus
Colleges and universities are increasingly taking steps to reduce plastic waste on their campuses. Plastic water bottles are a major contributor to the global problem of single-use plastics, and institutions of higher learning have a responsibility to lead by example and adopt sustainable methods.
One notable initiative is the RecycleMania competition, which has engaged over 1,000 colleges and universities since 2001. During the 2020 iteration of the competition, nearly 300 U.S. and Canadian campuses recycled, donated, and composted 48.6 million pounds of waste, preventing more than 380 million plastic bottles from ending up in landfills.
Many colleges are implementing their own initiatives to reduce plastic waste. For example, the University of Southern California (USC) has eliminated single-use plastic beverage bottles from its campuses, transitioning to alternatives such as glass and aluminum, which can be more sustainably sourced and have increased recyclability. USC has also installed exterior multi-stream waste bins and transitioned its dining operations away from single-use plastics to sustainable alternatives.
Other colleges, such as the University of California, have set ambitious goals to eliminate waste. Their recycling program is managed by students to educate them about the importance of recycling. Kalamazoo College takes it a step further by not only recycling but also donating reusable items to the community.
To reduce the use of plastic water bottles on campus, colleges can encourage the use of reusable water bottles by providing access to water dispenser rentals and refill stations. They can also offer incentives for using reusable items and ensure proper disposal of plastics through recycling and composting programs.
Alternative options to plastic water bottles include:
- Aluminum cans: These can be recycled indefinitely and are becoming an increasingly popular alternative, although they should be captured for recycling in a closed-loop system.
- Glass bottles: Glass is a more sustainable and inert alternative that maintains drink quality and stays colder longer. However, some glass bottles may have hidden plastics like lids or sealing rings, so it is important to choose options without these.
- Stainless steel bottles: For those seeking a sturdier option, stainless steel bottles are also reusable and eco-friendly.
- Carton or boxed water: While this option has lower transportation costs, it may not be the most environmentally friendly due to the prevalence of effective "green" marketing.
- Compostable bioplastic: In situations where reusability is not an option, compostable bioplastic can be considered. However, it is important to note that it is not truly compostable unless done in a commercial facility, and it cannot be recycled through kerbside recycling or container refund schemes.
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Students' influence on administrative decisions
Students are important stakeholders at universities, and while they may not have direct control over administrative decisions, they do have the collective power to influence them. College campuses are large consumers, and students can use their purchasing power to promote more environmentally friendly products. High school seniors consider a university's commitment to environmental stewardship when deciding where to attend college. As a result, colleges are paying attention to the opinions of these potential students.
Students across the country have cited plastic waste as one of their top global concerns. In response, some colleges and universities have started to ban plastic water bottles on campus. For example, Macalester College and the College of St. Benedict in Minnesota have implemented policies banning the sale and purchase of plain bottled water on campus. Other colleges are encouraging the use of personal reusable water bottles by installing water bottle refilling stations across their campuses. Some universities have also removed plastic-bottled beverage options in vending and retail locations, replacing them with metal or glass alternatives.
Students have also taken the initiative to launch programs to reduce single-use plastic waste on campus. For example, a Dartmouth student participating in the reusable container program on their campus launched the Green2Go initiative, which helps colleges start their own reusable container programs. More than 50 campuses nationwide are now participating in the Green2Go plastics initiative.
Colleges and universities are also taking part in competitions such as RecycleMania 2020, which utilizes behavioral principles to examine how education can inform young people's choices to avoid single-use plastics and influence behavior change. Since 2001, the program has engaged more than 1,000 colleges and universities, with close to 300 U.S. and Canadian campuses recycling, donating, and composting millions of pounds of waste and cutting out hundreds of millions of plastic bottles from the waste stream.
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Colleges leading the way in recycling
Colleges and universities are increasingly taking steps to reduce plastic waste on their campuses. With the average student generating up to 75 pounds of plastic waste per year, institutions are adopting sustainable methods to tackle this issue.
Some colleges are implementing the use of reusable containers and water bottles, while others are partnering with local recyclers. For example, the University of Wisconsin, River Falls, recycles its materials by selling electronics and other items in a monthly Surplus Sale. If the items cannot be sold, they are donated to a non-profit organisation. The University of California aims to eliminate waste through its student-managed recycling program, which educates students on the importance of recycling. Dartmouth College has successfully recycled approximately 400 tons of food waste annually, with a waste diversion rate goal of 80% by 2025.
Colleges are also encouraging behaviour change among students to reduce food waste. The Students' Union at UWE won the Student Engagement Green Gown Award for its Bring Your Own Bowl (BYOB) initiative, which aims to create social networks through the shared enjoyment of free surplus food. Keele University student Elliott Lancaster runs a start-up called Utter Rubbish, which won the Enterprise Green Gown Award. The business focuses on improving recycling rates and waste management by offering better information to household waste services users.
Colleges are also leading the way in recycling competitions. Close to 300 U.S. and Canadian campuses recycled, donated, and composted 48.6 million pounds of waste during the 2020 RecycleMania competition, cutting out more than 380 million plastic bottles from the waste stream. Aquinas College in Michigan won the zero waste category for smaller campuses, with the University of Michigan winning for larger campuses.
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Frequently asked questions
Many colleges are moving towards banning the sale of plastic water bottles on campus. Some of these colleges include:
- Macalester College
- College of St. Benedict
- Washington University
- Dartmouth
- Columbia University School of the Arts
- Aquinas College
- University of Michigan
Plastic water bottles are a significant contributor to single-use plastic waste. Colleges are banning the sale of plastic water bottles to reduce plastic pollution, minimize their purchasing and usage of plastic materials, and adopt more environmentally friendly practices.
Colleges are encouraging the use of personal reusable water bottles by setting up water bottle refilling stations across campuses. Some colleges are also providing aluminum bottles at their filtered water stations.
