University of Hawaii: Ban single-use plastic water bottles!

With an influx of water refill "hydration stations" and a growing need for environmental stewardship on our campus, across the islands, and around the world, the UH Manoa community is calling for a ban on plastic water bottles. At least 65 campuses on the mainland alone have passed similar bans.

Making bottles to meet America’s demand for bottled water uses more than 17 million barrels of oil annually, enough to fuel 1.3 million cars for a year, which does not include the oil used for transportation. It also takes 1.85 gallons of water to produce the single-use plastic water bottle which holds an average of 16 ounces.

Single-use plastic water bottles require unnecessary fossil fuels and fresh water to produce and transport around the world. UH can take action on the charges of the recently adopted BOR Sustainability Policy, which states goals of zero waste and carbon neutrality.

Additionally, UH Mānoa’s Sustainability Policy (2012) identifies "Material Waste" as a vital objective and calls to "reduce, recycle and/or eliminate all ... use of single use plastics and green house gas emitting materials." Furthermore, the UHM Strategic Plan & the UH System Strategic Directions both contain commitments to environmental stewardship. And as UH serves as a Hawaiian place of learning and as sustainability is an integral part of Hawaiian culture, a ban on single-use plastic water bottles will further be of service in achieving the mission of the UH Mānoa campus and the UH System.