USC Campus Conservation gets Water-Wise

The University of the Sunshine Coast (USC) has launched an environmental initiative this week that will avoid 40,000 plastic bottles ending up in landfills on a yearly basis.

Students will be encouraged to bring their own water bottle or purchase inexpensive reusable water bottles on campus. The environmentally sound initiative is a great response to a suggestion made to the Sustainability Management Committee by Elizabeth Beaumont, a USC student.

A Total Water Refill Campus

USC has declared itself a ‘Total Water Refill Campus’ with many free water bottle refilling stations located around the grounds for a convenient top-up. Water provider ProAcqua is a partner in the initiative, providing a minimal cost alternative to the free water, with several filtered and chilled water refill machines now on campus.

Professor Birgit Lohmann, USC Deputy Vice-Chancellor is encouraged by the project.

“Students and staff are very proud and supportive of our commitment to sustainability, which is a strategic priority for the University…we are always open to new ideas that can help us achieve our goals,” Professor Lohmann said.

Students supporting the environment

Environmental advocacy group ‘Do Something’ is also onboard the water refill initiative, which follows on from a similar commitment in the ACT.

Students attending O-Week at USC are being provided with a Water Refill Station Map of the campus in order to ensure they remain hydrated during their time at the university.

The move toward water refill stations was made when USC survey results revealed 82 percent of students and staff said they would be happy to make the change if suitable options were implemented.

The water-wise initiative is a win-win situation for students and the environment, with minimised landfills and inexpensive (or free) drinking water available for everyone.