Another topic from this week was bottled water. Carli sent me a few articles about bottled water being banned in certain areas. There are cities that are banning bottled water. Attempts have been made everywhere from Concord, MA to San Francisco. There are a number of universities that are stepping forward and banning the sale of bottled water on their campus. A few that have already banned it are University of Portland, Seattle University, University of Vermont, and Washington University in St. Louis. The University of Oregon is contemplating it.
Would you be in favor of a ban on the sale of bottled water on USD's campus? What might make it difficult? How could the difficulties be overcome?
How would you feel about sitting next to someone on a plane who was smoking an electronic cigarette?
Banning bottled water on USD's campus is a great idea and would encourage a lot of people to buy reusable water bottles. It also coincides with the “going green” image that USD wants to affiliate itself with (even though I could debate how “green” USD truly is). The only concern I have is that I’m not sure how realistic it would be to go from providing a plethora of different brands of water bottles to having none in a matter of days. USD would have to take a lot of measures to ensure that water was still available to the community and in an eco-friendly way prior to banning plastic water bottles (having convenient areas to fill up reusable water bottles for students and visitors).
ReplyDeleteIf USD wants to continue having water bottles on campus they should perhaps stop selling brands that are harming our environment, such as the ones the “Flow” movie discussed. Maybe USD could provide only Nika water bottles or other brands with specific causes even though they are a bit more expensive. If water bottles are more expensive on campus, students and visitors may be more inclined to bring their own reusable water bottles. This would create an easier transition to the banning of all water bottles on campus, which I think will probably be done in the near future. - Hailey Means
Banning bottled water would only encourage people to use other forms of drinking water. I do not think it would be quite as easy considering all the different kinds of water that is sold on campus but if the campus starts to sell the cantins all over campus and provide more of the sustainable water fountains, like the ones in the library they might have a chance. Also, this movement would go hand in hand with the "go green" image that USD is trying to portray.
ReplyDeleteAbout the electronic cigarettes, I am in different to the cigarette topic when dealing with adults. I believe that people all over the world know the harmful affects smoking can cause and if those people are going to make the choice to light up, then so be it, it is their own fault and their own loss. That does not say much for the harmful affects of second hand smoke that has also proven to be just as bad, but we wil never be able to fix second hand smoke until we can completely ban smoking all together. If I can not smell the smoke coming from the person next to me on the plane, then I think I would be fine.
With the great water filters found in the SLP and Copley Library it would be great to see bottled water sales on campus banned. Students would need to get into the habit of bringing reusable bottles if they wanted water with lunch. And the campus could sell reusable bottle to make up for the bottled water revenue. I think it could be a win win.
ReplyDeleteIf I had the choice of sitting next to someone smoking an electronic cigarette verse sitting to next to someone not smoking the cigarette, I would chose the cigaretteless neighbor. While the electronic cigarette may not spell like smoke, the person still looks like they are smoking. If airlines didn't put a ban on this I could see some families choosing to drive instead of fly in fear that their kids would be seated next to an electronic smoker.
I fully agree with Jonathan's take on the possible "win-win" scenario regarding USD selling more reusable bottles/canteens if the campus were to ban plastic bottles. As of right now, I believe USD's reusable bottles are significantly over-priced (but then again, what isn't over-priced on campus?)
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised there have already been a few well-known universities that have banned bottled water... this is definitely a good sign and hopefully other universities across the nation will eventually be influenced.
I have yet to witness the electronic cigarette, so I can only comment so much on the issue. However, I really like the idea of the product and how Nick Singer said his grandmother has found rare success with quitting the habit. I think that I might not mind sitting next to an electronic smoker on a plane flight, as long as it is barely noticeable. I definitely have respect for smokers switching to electronic cigarettes.
-$cott Richard$on
I would be in full support if USD banned selling water bottles on campus. It would really encourage people to bring reusable containers. USD could have posters around the campus by the filtered drinking water with facts about water bottles. It would be great if they would even host a night where they played the movie 'Flow' to educate students about the harmful industry. Although I think this is a great idea, I think that a lot of students would be upset because it would force them to purchase a Kleen Kanteen or something similar, which would cost money. I really like the idea mentioned earlier that USD only sell water by companies that have a cause that they go to or are done in a sustainable way.
ReplyDeleteWith the electronic cigarettes, I would be in support of having a ban of them on airplanes. Although you do not smell the smoke coming out of them, they still do emit smoke, which could be irritating. But I do respect smokers that have changed from smoking regular cigarettes, to electronic, if it is helping them cut down on their usage.
Kelsey Jackson
I think banning bottled water at USD would be a great thing, but won't happen any time soon. Everywhere you look, someone is drinking bottled water. People rely too much on it and would be outraged if the school just got rid of it all together. I think it has to be a slow process, and have to gradually take them away. Also, reusable bottles should be available at a much cheaper price. USD is trying to promote these types of bottles, as I have gotten a couple free ones at different events.
ReplyDeleteAs for the electronic cigarettes, if it does no harm to me, I wouldn't mind sitting by someone who is smoking an electronic cigarette. I'm not really in favor of them though, especially because it can send the wrong message to kids. And some kids may want to start using electronic cigarettes, and it develops bad habits early on that can lead to smoking real cigarettes.
I do not think that banning bottled water would be a good idea. I do think the water crisis is terrible and feel that we do consume too much bottled water but limiting the availability of it entirely does not solve this problem. Maybe it sounds good in theory but how frustrating would it be if you forgot your reusable water at home and had no access to bottled water on campus the entire day. I think that USD should look into selling brands that give back such as that NIKA brand. That company gives water to people who really need it and it still allows the option of bottled water. Like many other issues in this class I do not think restrictions and regulations on everyone is the solution. It is too extreme and limits our freedom and our personal choice. It is not the University's role to decide for us whether or not to drink bottled water. Education can help this issue. Spreading the information about sustainability and the water crisis in other nations can help people realize the impact of buying bottled water everyday. Thus, an individual can make an educated and empowered decision on what to drink bottled water or not.
ReplyDeleteI think banning bottled water at USD would be a good idea. However, it would not stop students from purchasing it at the grocery store on their own and bringing it to campus. From a business perspective, USD probably makes a large profit from students buying water bottles, so they would lose money in that aspect. Also, USD pays for the water machines and if more students brought reusable water bottles, they would need to be replaced more often causing an increase in cost for USD. Therefore, I feel that USD would not stop selling water bottles on campus.
ReplyDeleteI would not mind someone smoking an electronic cigarette on a plane next to me. I would not be affected because of second hand smoke, so if it helps them get through the flight I would not mind.