University of Guelph student Megan MacKinnon wants to keep the issue of bottled water sales on the University of Guelph campus in the spotlight.
MacKinnon, a Guelph native, has started an online petition calling for the elimination of bottled water from the U of G campus.
“Because of environmental and ethical concerns, more and more cities, companies and university campuses are making the decision to go plastic-free. Please sign this petition if you believe the University of Guelph should be among them,” the petition reads.
“We do not want or need disposable plastic water bottles to be sold on our campus because of their environmental destructiveness and their representation of the unnecessary privatization of water.”
The petition, which had 127 signatures in its first three days, will eventually be delivered to U of G president Franco Vaccarino.
Several Ontario university campuses, including Queen’s, Trent and Ryerson, have banned the sale of bottled water on campus.
“I just feel a sense of urgency about environmental issues …. I just want the university to see that there is a significant call for it,” said MacKinnon in an interview.
“Every day I’m on campus and I see all this garbage being produced, not necessarily being recycled, not necessarily separated. Just the fact that it’s being sold really goes against the University’s environmental mandate, I think.”
MacKinnon said she sees the sale of bottled water on campus as “a little hypocritical.”
The issue of bottled water sales on campus is not a new concern.
The Central Student Association says efforts to make the U of G bottled water-free have been ongoing since 2007. The CSA formed a working group, TapIn!, to champion the cause.
In 2012 the CSA held a referendum vote that saw 78 per cent in favour of ending the sale of bottled water on campus. Administration pledged to increase access to tap water on campus, but not to eliminating bottled water sales.
In 2013 there was a day of action held on campus.
Ed Townsley, the executive director of Hospitality Services at the U of G, said the school hasn’t banned the sale of bottled water for a number of reasons, including the notion of choice.
“The whole notion of banning a product in general doesn’t sit well with us,” Townsley said.
He said in the past they have partnered with the CSA in campaigns to educate the consumer and have made sure inexpensive reusable water bottles and coffee mugs are available on campus.
Townsley said the school also took lengths to make filtered tap water available in every building, including dining halls.
“We still sell a substantial amount of bottled water,” Townsley said, adding that the trend is decreasing, “but it’s not a spiral.”
MacKinnon said the U of G talks about “changing life” and “improving life” yet they “kind of pick and choose where they are environmentally conscious.”
“We’re past the age of freedom of choice in terms of the environment, that’s my opinion,” MacKinnon said.
“There’s an obligation to our students and future generations who are going to be affected by environmental disasters and issues. There’s just no excuse anymore.”
