Tas Uni should phase out sale of bottled water

University of Tasmania should take the lead from the University of Canberra and phase out bottled water on campuses.

Greens Alderman Bill Harvey from the Hobart City Council is challenging the University of Tasmania to follow the University of Canberra’s lead and phase out the sale of bottled water on all its campuses.

The University of Canberra has become the first Australian University to phase out the sale of bottled water. The initiative will see a reduction of 140,000 plastic bottles per year and students and staff will be able to refill their own bottles from new water bubblers and filling stations across the campus.

“This is a great student led initiative from the University of Canberra and a reduction of 140,000 plastic bottles is a significant result for the environment based on the well-established environmental impact of bottled water” said alderman Harvey.

Alderman Harvey added, “If every university in Australia did this, millions of plastic bottles would be avoided, reducing landfill and litter considerably and reducing the enormous amount of wasted energy and petroleum used in the production of plastic bottles and transport of bottled water across the country.”

Alderman Harvey believes that universities have a fundamental obligation to clearly demonstrate the principles of environmental sustainability and eliminating waste is an essential part of that. Getting rid of bottled water is a clear message that UTas supports environmental sustainability.

Alderman Harvey recently called for a report on phasing out bottled water at all Hobart City Council events including the Taste of Tasmania and providing free tap water.