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Reducing Single-Use Plastics at FPU
What we are doing for the FPU community
What we are doing for the FPU community
The goal of this project is to reduce the use of single-use plastic bottles on campus by raising awareness of the harmful impacts of single-use plastics on the environment and encouraging students to adopt more sustainable practices. Students can achieve this through the use of reusable water bottles and by utilizing the many refill stations that are located around the campus. We also aim to ensure that the water filtered through the refill stations is not only safe to drink, but far purer than the water students may regularly encounter elsewhere on campus.
What are single-use plastics?
What are single-use plastics?
Something made out of plastic that is designed to be used once and thrown away. Items such as bags, straws, and water bottles are typically made from single-use plastics. When the plastic is not recycled correctly, it often ends up polluting our oceans. Here, animals can ingest or become entangled in it, leading to injury and death.
Why Buy a Reusable Water Bottle?
Why Buy a Reusable Water Bottle?
Reduces waste and carbon footprint - each time you refill your reusable water bottle, you are replacing the need to use a single-use plastic bottle.
Multiple-use - unlike single-use plastic bottles, reusable water bottles can be used for many years without leaching harmful chemicals into your drinking water.
Less emissions; use less oil to make - reusable water bottles are built to last and therefore are not produced at such high quantities as single-use plastics.
Climate Connection - the use of fossil fuels (oil) contributes to the increase of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which traps heat and leads to climate change. Eliminating single-use plastics and switching to reusable bottles reduces these emissions.
Breakdown of Classes
Breakdown of Classes
This survey was put out to all FPU Rindge residents, and we received feedback from all grades and some faculty. Most of our responses came from the Junior class.
Breakdown of Student Majors
Breakdown of Student Majors
While some people may think that only environmental science majors care about climate related issues, that is not the case. We received responses from multiple majors. 76% of those who replied stated they would benefit from reusable water bottles.
More Results from the Survey
More Results from the Survey
Of the FPU Rindge campus students and faculty that were surveyed, 76% stated that they would benefit from having reusable water bottles available to them. Despite that, most of them do not think that the water is safe to drink. A lot of them have also noted the multiple adverse effects that came from the water. Most, if not all, stated that the water gave them a rash, dry skin and hair, an upset stomach, and caused them to break out in hives. While this may be happening, the school has assured the residents that the water is safe, filtered, and within regulations.
Surprisingly, about half of the respondents have not used the refillable water stations available on campus, with some even saying that they were unaware such stations existed. Our goal, as stated, is to raise awareness of these stations and their locations, so that they may be used in place of single-use plastic bottles. 54% of respondents said that they feel guilty about using single-use plastic bottles, as they know that they are bad for the environment. They know that there are other options available but are still unsure about the quality of the water.
It seems that the overall issue is the student body's perception of the quality of water on campus. More needs to be done in educating the public on the quality of the water so that they know that it is safe to drink. If we also made reusable bottles widely available on campus, it may encourage them to use the refill stations and stop using single-use plastic water bottles.
Refill Station Locations
Refill Station Locations
First floor of the library, next to the bathrooms
First floor of Marcucella Hall, in between the bathrooms (pictured here)
The Bubble
The Campus Center, next to the ramp down by the dining hall
Water Cooler Locations
Water Cooler Locations
Cheney Hall
Health Services
Peterson Manor art gallery
Map of Campus
Map of Campus
Refill stations are marked by red dots
Water coolers are marked by blue dots
Water Quality - "Rindge Tinge"
Water Quality - "Rindge Tinge"
The cause of the discoloration and unpleasant taste of the water, known as Rindge Tinge, is due to high (but safe!) concentrations of iron.
All contaminants detected in the drinking water tested well below the maximum contaminant level. - 2017 Water Quality Report
A new water filtration system was installed in 2018 with the intent to reduce the iron concentration. - Pierce Arrow article
The water that is filtered through the refill stations, as well as the water coolers, lack this discoloration and unpleasant taste.
Our Climate Action Posters! These were put up around campus to bring awareness to the refill stations, water quality, and reusable bottles. Click the buttons below to view them!
This page created by Cameron Seger, Robert Kristiansen III, Hayden Grover, and Brianna Bradley
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