One Big Idea

Stop drinking bottled water.

My idea is to stop bottled water from being sold at OCAD. Here are 5 reasons:

1. Bottled water is not good value.
2. Bottled water is no "healthier" than tap water.
3. Bottled water means more waste.
4. Bottled water means less attention to public water systems.
5. Bottled water is a corporate commodity.

Of course there are plenty more reasons, and each deserves an in depth explanation. To summarize: Most universities have exclusivity contracts with big soft drink companies - but there are ways breach these contracts. Perhaps more drinking taps and fountains would have to be installed and an awareness campaign held prior to the ban. Guerrilla tactics are always interesting - stickers, projection media, altering labels on vending machines, etc. Students would receive a water bottle as part of their frosh package with info about the school's policy. In the mean time, get a reusable water bottle (stainless steel is the best) and fill it up instead of supporting the corporatization of a precious resource. Need some more info? Click the title for a link to Inside the Bottle campaign by the Polaris Institute.

Don't drink from the 'mainstream'. Drink from the tap. Simple and sustainable.

Nicole T.