Students at Seattle University are uniting to ban the bottle, part of a nationwide student-led initiative to stop the sale of bottled water on college campuses and promote sustainable alternatives.  2009 marks Seattle U’s second year of participation in Ban the Bottle. Last year there was not enough student and faculty support to facilitate a formal change in the university’s contract with Pepsi, the company who supplies Seattle U with Aquafina bottled water, said Seattle U alumni Gretchenrae Callanta, who co-led the campaign last year with fellow alumnus Nick McCarvel.

Ron Smith, Seattle U’s vice president of finance and business affairs, said the administrators are open to discussing a ban on bottled water.

“I think we are all in support of the educational process and trying to move in that direction,” he said.

Eco-conscious students unite to ‘Ban the Bottle’ [via The Spectator at Seattle University]

The University of Winnepeg has become the first university in Canada to ban all plastic water bottle sales.  The ban came after almost 75 per cent of students voted in favor during a recent referendum held by the University of Winnipeg Students’ Association.  The university expects all bottles to be removed by January of 2010.

While city water is tested daily, bottling companies don’t test their water as often. Louise Hénault-Éthier, environmental co-coordinator with Sustainable Concordia, believes that water bottles are unnecessary.

“The quality of tap water in Montreal is really high,” she said. “Bringing your own refillable container will allow you to have fresh, clean water available to you whenever you like by simply refilling it at the water fountain.”
The Students’ Society of McGill University has already taken a step in banning bottle sales in its building.

“McGill is committed to sustainable operation,” said Dennis Fortune, McGill’s Sustainability Director. “We believe we should be encouraging tap water.” Hénault-Éthier also points to the high price of bottled water. Water is a free resource, she said. “We shouldn’t need to purchase it.”

U of W bans sale of bottled water [Inside the Bottle]