The Spectator- Water bottle ban complete, contract not yet finalized

October 13, 2010

By Fernando Siosan

The ban on the sale of single-use plastic water bottles on campus is official. But the contract re-negotiation between Aquafina, the Pepsi Corporation and Seattle University is far from over.

The university has yet to settle with Pepsi on what the bottle ban means from a business aspect. Though plastic water bottles have all but disappeared from the stocks of Bon Appétit, the student bookstore and the athletic department (for sale at games, athletic events, etc.), the terms of Seattle U's contract with Pepsi have not yet changed, according to Ron Smith, vice president of Finance and Business affairs.

"Pepsi was very cooperative and professional surrounding the issue," Smith said. "We have agreed to reduce the contract benefits a fair amount. What that is, is to be determined."

Smith made no mention of obstacles in the contract re-negotiation.

As far as the university is concerned, the ban on single-use plastic bottles is permanent.

"Pepsi needs to approach Aquafina as their partners and determine the loss in business due to the action. They may be waiting a quarter to quantify," Smith added.

The official decision to ban plastic water bottles was made in late May, just before the end of the 2009-2010 school year, though the internal announcement was made at Convocation at the beginning of this year.

Plastic water bottles continued to be sold on campus through the summer in order to drain university stock, according to Buzz Hofford, Bon Appetit food service director.

"Seattle U emphasizes being committed to sustainability, and this is just one example of them staying true to that commitment," Hofford said. "Seattle U is really walking the talk."

Bon Appetit has had its full support behind the ban since the campaign began as a project in the religion and ecology course of now-retired professor Gary Chamberlain, especially as water bottle sales on campus continued to decline.

"Bon Appetit has not fielded a single complaint," Hofford said. "We make it easier by selling the reusable canteens in C-Street and in the bookstore. People understand."

Students may be confused with several non-updated vending machines on campus that retain the image of regular Aquafina drinking water. These machines will not dispense Aquafina brand flavored water, as the ban includes both types of drinking water. SoBe Lifewater and its equivalents continue to be sold on campus.

In support of the ban, Facilities upgraded the 31 water fountains on campus with easy fill spouts and built-in aqua chillers.

Members of the community may question whether water fountain water is less or more healthy than bottled water.

According to Karen Price, campus sustainability coordinator, fountain water is more regulated than bottled water. Water that comes from a reservoir and eventually through the pipes of a water fountain goes through several filtration barriers and health and safety checks. Bottled water is only checked once, as it is put in the containers; there is a greater chance of drinking bad water out of a bottle than a tap.

Price, involved throughout the campaign since its beginning, emphasized educating the Seattle U community was key in make the ban a success.

"It's not about acquiring knowledge, it's what you do with it," Price said. "Bottling water is like bottling air, it's the privatization of a common good," Price added.

Bon Appetit sells reusable containers at all its locations, and most food service venues on campus offer drinking water for free.

The student bookstore is selling a discounted, steel 27-ounce water bottle for $9.99 to make owning a reusable bottle more affordable. Proceeds from each bottle will go to the Seattle U chapter of Engineers Without Borders to buy and maintain water treatment systems in Haiti. According to the university announcement, each purchase helps four Haitians drink clean water for 10 years.

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