Take Back the Tap

Today, Wednesday March 11th, marks the beginning of the end of bottled water at Bates College.

There will be no bottled water sold or distributed on campus today. Not at Milt's, not at the Den, not in bag lunches, and not at any catered events. This day will show us that we CAN do without bottled water - that it is easy to do and better for us.

The Bates chapter of Take Back the Tap is making moves to end the use of bottled Water at Bates College. We are urging the administration and Dining Services to enact a ban on this plastic ridden, morally bankrupt personal convenience by the beginning of next school year.

We hope you will support the cause. Check out our water bottle infested tree outside Commons, our posters around campus, the dialogue going on in the library, and the taste test tonight in Commons.

love,
Take Back the Tap

I just had to pass along this email that Eliza forwarded to me today. Catered events that I have attended on college campuses have been rife with bottled water. The barbeque on the quad on Parent's Weekend always includes that ice filled barrel of green labeled Poland Spring bottles. I have felt virtuous grabbing one instead of a can of Coke. But environmentally, the can of Coke is better because it will be recycled. Not so the thin plastic water bottles. Most don't qualify. Where does all the plastic go? Imagine a day when catered events don't include this option. I imagine a large water cooler with a spout where people can fill and refill their (yes) disposable (and biodegradable) paper cups with water. One campus multiplied all across the country. I see change a foot.
All the best,
Barbara