College Campuses Pledge to Take Back the Tap
Press Release: Bottled water could quickly become a thing of the past on college campuses, as students are gearing up across the country to cut existing contracts with bottled water corporations and rid their campuses of bottled water.
February 6, 2008
Contact:
Erin Greenfield or Annie Weinberg
(202) 683-2500
College Campuses Pledge to Take Back the Tap
in Nationwide Student Campaign
Food & Water Watch Partners with Students to End Bottled Water Sales on Campuses
Washington, DC –– Bottled water could quickly become a thing of the past on college campuses, as students are gearing up across the country to cut existing contracts with bottled water corporations and rid their campuses of bottled water. The Take Back the Tap campaign, launched by national advocacy group Food & Water Watch, is dedicated to encouraging policies that promote and protect tap water. Schools including Vassar College, Chico State University, and American University will be kicking off their campaigns this month.
“The next generation of water activists are on college campuses today,” said Food & Water Watch Executive Director Wenonah Hauter. “College students can see through the glossy bottled water ads and are making the healthy choice for the planet and their future by taking back the tap.”
Food & Water Watch released a “Take Back the Tap” report last year that outlines how tap water is the best choice for consumers’ health, their pocketbooks, and the environment. According to the report, Americans spent $8.8 billion for almost 7.2 billion gallons of non-sparkling bottled water – a surprising figure considering that nearly 40 percent of bottled water is simply filtered or treated tap water.
Despite these figures, bottled water companies have built a steadfast niche in the beverage market, often targeting the young adult demographic. Food & Water Watch and students involved with the campaign anticipate this will soon change. They are asking their campuses to stop purchasing bottled water and make refilling stations and public water fountains more accessible.
“Water fountains are kind of a dying breed on campus and in cities, so this project is exciting- it will make it easier for people to get back into habit of drinking tap,” explained Corie Lopez, a senior at Chico State. Lopez has worked with professors, fellow students, and the recycling center to organize multiple Take Back the Tap events.
Lauren O’Laughlin, a freshman at Vassar College in New York, agreed. “I think our whole Vassar community is really committed to sustainability and justice. By taking back the tap, we’re saying that water for everyone is part of that and it’s not just a luxury item for those who can pay. We’re setting an example for how to deal with water with those things in mind.”
“The long-term solutions to our world water problems won’t come from overpriced plastic bottles. They come from investing in well-managed, affordable public systems,” said Lori Beail-Farkas, American University senior. “If our campus can make water a priority, then cities can do it, and Congress can, too.”
Lopez continued, “I’m concerned about the waste reduction and all the plastic going into landfills. But beyond that, it’s also about who has control over your water. I think safe, affordable tap water should be accessible to everyone.”
To view the “Take Back the Tap” report, visit: www.takebackthetap.org
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