Banning Bottled Water on Campus: Beyond Excuses

1. Banning Bottled Water on Campus: Beyond Excuses Chrissy Cooley Sustainbility Manager Pacific Lutheran University

2. Remembering our Connection The Cuyahoga caught on fire in 1868, 1883, 1887, 1912, 1922, 1936, 1941, 1948, and in 1952. The 1952 fire caused over 1.5 million dollars in damage. This is a picture from the 1969 fire, the fire most often remembered. 3

3. Aftermath of the 1969 fire Remembering our Connection Cleanup efforts continuing to this day 4

4. Remembering our Connection Bottled water is not safer, not tastier 5

5. Environmental Impact • Waste Stream – only about 30% of plastic bottles end up in the recycling • Virtual Waste - ie transportation, refrigeration, water use in the manufacturing of temporary bottles • Mining of the Water 6

6. Social Injustice • Privatization of drinking water • Communities right here in the US are giving up their free public water to be bottled at a cost • Bottled Water plants bring very few, low -wage jobs 6

7. The University Connection • As Sustainability Professionals an average day at the office probably includes: • Waking up early to bus/bike/carpool • Entering utility bill data • Managing all of the recycling, irrigation, natural gas & electricity policies on campus • Being available to anyone at all that pops in • Saying the words “people, planet, prosperity” at least 500 times a day • Generally being too busy to take on a campaign that no one is talking about anyways.

8. The Challenge • The challenge is not banning bottled water! • A Ban on Bottled Water meets a deeper need • in finding ways to apply our efforts to real sustainability goals • The challenge is to really change systems, not prevent the symptoms • We found a way to not just be “less bad” but we were able to do real good • The challenge is really to work on a cause that will simultaneously build bridges across your entire campus • Float an idea that will open minds to the full definition of sustainability

9. The Way to Do It There are currently over 90 higher education institution in the US that have limited bottled water on campus Bishop's University::Brandon University::College of Saint Benedict::Humboldt State University::Loyola University::Macalester College::Oberlin College ::Phillips Exeter Academy:: Seattle University ::Southern Oregon University::St. Mary's University ::State University of New York Upstate Medical University Vancouver Island University Washington University in St. Louis

10. The Way to Do It • Harvard • Citing fiscal responsibility and environmental concerns, the Kennedy School Student Government voted this week to halt funding for bottled water at events funded by student activity fees.  Instead of filling requests for bottled water, Sodexho will provide pitchers of ice water at student group events receiving funding from KSSG. The measure, which passed by a 21-4 vote, will stretch valuable student activity dollars and eliminate waste.

11. The Way to Do It

12. Change Management • Unfreezing • Introduce Urgency • Assemble your guiding team • Create a common vision • Communicate for buy-in • Empower Action • Change • 6. Create Short Term Wins • 7. Do not let up! • Refreezing • 8. Build into existing structures • - John Kotter

13. University Trends • The Basics • Getting reusable bottles in hands • Filtered Water Stations • Identify and empower your mavens

14. Empowering Student Leaders • Allow them to be inspired – and get out of their way • Provide resources where needed • Student Green Fees • Sample campaigns • Film showings • Town Hall Forums where all stakeholders can be heard • Food and Water Watch • TBTT National Forum Group • Facebook • Katy Kiefer, Activist Network Coordinator (kkiefer@fwwatch.org)

15. When to Tap Out • When to Tap Out • Fringe users (vending machines, sports, etc) • This is not a zero-sum game • Don’t forget that even if a ban is not possible, work to reduce the existing demand now will make it possible in the future.

16. Inhibitors to Change ~ Marshal Ganz

17. Your University What would stop you from removing bottled water from your campus? Chrissy Cooley cooleysc@plu.edu 253.538.6060 #beyondexcuses