filtered water stations on western michigan university’s ... water final... · western michigan...

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FilteredWaterStationsonWesternMichiganUniversity’sCampus:

ASustainableAlternativetoBottledWater

ByAlexSecrest&KimShafer

ENVS4100:AppropriateTechnologyandSustainabilityTheCampusasaLivingLaboratory

Dr.HaroldGlasserSpring2010

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II.TableofContentsI. ExecutiveSummary 3

II. Introduction 4

III. MethodologyandData 7

IV. ExamplesofBestPracticesonWMU’sCampus 7

V. ExamplesofBestPracticesonOtherCampuses 8

1.)UniversityofBoulderatColorado

2.)KalamazooCollege

3.)PortlandStateUniversity

4.)GrandValleyStateUniversity

VI. Discussion 11

VII. LimitationsofAnalysis&FutureWork 12

VIII. Conclusions/Recommendations 13

IX. References 15

X. Appendices 18

I.AuthorContacts 18

II.ContactList&EmailCommunicationLog 18

III.SurveyQuestions&Results 27

IV.Student’sBottleEvaluation 32

V.CampusDrinkingFountainEvaluation 34

VI.ThomasReich’sTestingofWaterFountains 35

VII.CostComparisonofFiltrationMachines 36

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I.Summary

Therearesignificantupstreamanddownstreamconsequencesfromtheproduction,transportation,anddisposalofbottledwater.Becausehealthyandsafealternativesexist,thatresultinfewergreenhousegasemissionsandlowercost,webelievemoreeffortshouldbeputintocreatingsustainablealternativesoncampus.RatherthanterminatingourcontractwithCoca‐Cola,wesuggestfortheretobefreefilteredwateravailabletostudents,faculty,andstaff.WebelievethatbydoingsothiswillmakeWMUstandoutinitseffortstoactasasustainabilityleader.Reducingourconsumptionofplastictogetherasacampuscommunity,wouldhelptheuniversityreduceourgreenhousegasemissions(GHG)aswellasprovideawiderangeofeconomicandsocialbenefits.

Packagingisacrucialcomponentofbottledwater.Bottlesprovidecontextualsuggestionsabouttheproductandaremarketedtoattractbuyers.Itissomethinginwhichconsumerscanidentifyandrelateto.Inadditiontoitspackaging,thewatersourcethatislabeledonthebottlemayinfluencechoiceofconsumption.Manycorporationsmayusepicturesofpristinemountainsandwatersourcesonthelabels.AccordingtotheNationalResourceDefenseCouncil,bothCoca‐Cola'sDasaniandPepsi'sAquafina,twoofthebiggestbrandsintheworld,originatenotfrommountainspringsorarcticglaciers,butfrompublicdrinkingwaterfacilities.Bothcompaniespointoutontheirbottlesbylabelingit"purifieddrinkingwater,"butallregulateddrinkingwaterispurified.

Bottledwaterisfarmoreexpensivethanwaterprovidedbyourmunicipalsources.Littletonoevidenceexistssuggestingthatbottledwateriscleanerthantapwater.BottledwaterisregulatedbythefederalgovernmentasafoodproductbytheFoodandDrugAdministration(FDA);whereas,theEPAroutinelyregulatesmunicipalwater.

AgrowingnumberofHigherEducationInstitutionshavealreadybeguntoeliminatethesaleofbottledwater.AccordingtoAASHE,sixuniversitieshavebeensuccessfulincampus‐widebottledwaterbans.Althoughwearenotsuggestingbanningthemaltogether,wearehowever,proposingalternativecourseofactionswhichsupportourobjectivestoreduceourGHGemissionsoncampus.AASHEalsoprovidesuniversitieswithvariousbottledwaterpoliciessuchas,studentcampaignstoencourageandreducebottledwaterconsumption,aswellascampaignstobanbottledwaterinspecificareaslikeuniversityevents,meetings,andcommencementceremonies,tonameafew.Theyaredoingsobasedonstudiesthatsuggestbottledwaterhasnegativesocialandenvironmentalimpactsandfurthermore,thatbottledwaterisproducedunderlowerhealthandsafetystandardsthanpublicortapwater.

Studentsinparticular,embracevariousreasonsforchoosingtodrinkbottledwaterinsteadoftapwater.Manyofwhichtakepersonalsatisfactioninbelievingthatwatersoldinaplasticcontainerissomehowbetterforyou.Ingeneral,societyhasdeemedtapwatertobethevillain.Thewideacceptanceofbottledwaterhasabsorbedasapartofourculturetoday.Ifwelookatourlocalactivitiesanddaytoday

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encounters,wecanallwitnesstheprevalenceofthisdetrimentalcommodity.Truthfully,weoughttobemoreconcernedaboutcorporationssuchasNestle,

Pepsi,andCoke,whichareamongmanythatareprivatizingfreshwatersupplies(ElizabethRoyte,Bottlemania).Bearinmindthatthesecorporationsareearningahugeprofitfromsellingwaterasacommodity.Inaddition,thesebottledwatermanufacturerscontinuetoaddanextensiveamountofgreenhousegasesintheirproductionanddistributionprocesses.

Drawingfromresultsofoursurveywithstudiesonunderstandingconsumers’preferences,thereasonsforbottledwaterconsumptionseemedtobevaried.Themainconclusionisthatpeoplegenerallyvalue“goodqualitywater”andmanyarepreparedtospendupto10,000timesmoreforitbecausetheyperceivetobea“purer”or“healthier”product.Iffilteredwateriswhatstudentsprefer,thenwewouldliketorecommendthatWMUshouldmakealternativeoptionsavailableinamoresustainablemanner.

Werecommendforafilteredwaterstationatakey,welltradedlocation,suchastheBernhardCenter.Giventhehighcapitalcoststhatanorganizedplanmayrequire,itisessentialtoknowwhatstrategieswillworkbeforeaplancanbescaledup.TheSustainabilityFundisagreatopportunityforthisprojecttolaunchoncampusandtocontinueitslifecycleoffine‐tuning.ConductingapilotwillbethemostcrucialstepforWMUinordertoevaluatewhetherornotit’slikelytobeeffective.Ourprojectproposalsetsthefoundationforstudentstocontinuemakingimprovementsastheuniversityitselfmakesincrementalstridesasaleaderinsustainability. II.Introduction

Howdidbottledwaterbecomesopopularinfirstplace?Whatdoesitmeanthatweareabandoningourmunicipalsupplies?Toanswerthefirstquestion,bottledwaterstartedoutasanichemarkettwentyyearsago,marketedtowardsthewealthydemographic.Theyhavebecomesoubiquitousnowthatweinvolvetheminoureverydayroutines.

Thetremendousamountofwastethatgoesintotheproduction,distribution,anddisposaloftheonetimeusageofplasticwaterbottlesbringforthasignificantmatterofconcern.Astheplasticindustrycontinuestogrow,andcorporationscontinuetocontendthattheyareallowedtoprivatizewater,therehasbeenacorrelatingincreaseintoxicpollution(bothtotheenvironmentandtohumans). AccordingtoastudyconductedbythePacificInstitute,bottledwaterraisesseriousconcernsabouttheenergyandwaterresourcesrequiredtoproducebottlesanddeliverthemtoconsumers.Theprocessofbottlingwaterproducesmorethan2.5milliontonsofcarbondioxideinayear,andittakes3litersofwatertoproduce1literofbottledwater.Transportingbottledwateralsorequiresmillionsinbarrelsofoil(PacificInstitute).

Takealookaroundyou,mostofwhatweeat,drink,orusecomesprepackagedinpetroleum‐basedplastic,amaterialdesignedtolastforever,yetusedforproducts

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thatwethenthrowaway.Plasticwaterbottlesarerarelyrecycledinaclosedloop.Ratherthanbeingrecycled,86percentofwaterbottlesarethrownaway. Plasticisamajorcontributorofpollution;itgathersintheearth’sdynamicwatersystemswhichthreatensaquaticecosystems.Scientistshavefoundsignificantamountsofplasticparticlesinthestomachsofmarineanimals.Youmightask,“Whatisthesignificanceofthis?”Humanswhoconsumefishmightbeconcernedbecauseitcouldhaveaneffectontheirhealthaswell.Soyousee,thereareupstreamanddownstreamcosts.

Mostplasticcannotberecycledinaclosedloopbecausetheplasticmateriallowerssignificantlyintherecyclingprocess.Forthelasttwodecades,TheAmericanPlasticsCouncil(APC)haspromotedplasticrecyclingasbeingeasy,economical,andsuccessfulwhilesimultaneouslyencouragingtheuseofmoreandmoreplastic.AccordingtotheEnvironmentalDefenseFund,duringtheAPC’seightmonthadvertisingcampaignto“TakeAnotherLookatPlastics,”15billionpoundsofplasticwereproducedinthemeantimeandonly1billionweretakenbackandrecycled.Thegrowthofnewplasticproductscontinuestooutpacethegrowthofplasticproductrecyclingbyafactorof14to1.(EnvironmentalDefenseFund,"Somethingtohide:Thesorrystateofplasticsrecycling,"October21,1997). Wearefacedwiththematterthatbottledwateriswidelyacceptedandperceivedtobe“better”thantapwater.Fromoursurvey,webelievebottledwateractsasapure,tasty,convenientalternativeforstudentsratherthanmakinguseofthecampustapanddrinkingfountains.Oursurveyalsosuggeststwomaincontributingfactors:convenienceandtaste.Furthermore,webelieveawiderangeofnegativeperceptionsofthecampusdrinkingfountainsexist,whichservetoupholdtheirbehavioralandsocialreasoningtocometoadecisiontodispense$1.25forwater.Fromanobjectiveperspective,bottledwaterisnotnecessarily“better”or“worse”thantapwater.

Notsurprisingly,bottledwaterconsumptionissometimeshigherincommunitiesthathaveseriousproblemswiththeirtapwater.Waterscarcityisacriticalissueinmanylessdevelopedandafewdevelopedpartsoftheworld.Morethan2.5billionpeoplelackaccesstocleandrinkingwaterbecausetheydonothavethenecessaryinfrastructuretofiltercontaminatedwater(ActiveWater,2010).InAmerica,wearefortunateenoughtohavedrinkingwaterthatisregulatedbytheEPAtoensureitissafetodrink.Likewise,therearehealthrisksrelatedtodrinkingbottledwater.Similarcaseshaveoccurredwherebottledwaterhavebeencontaminatedwithcarcinogens.Inamorerecentcase,Coca‐ColadecidedtoremoveDasanifromtheUKmarket,afterfindingoutthatthelevelsofbromate,apotentialcarcinogen,exceededlegalstandards.

AgrowingnumberofHigherEducationInstitutionsareincreasingtheireffortstoreduceprivatizationofbottledwateroncampus.Forasocialstrategywarrantingchangetobeeffective,wemustsortthroughcompetingsystemsanddiscoverthebarriersthatinhibitstudentsfromengaginginthealternativeactivityweaimtofoster.Wefollowedaseriesofstepstobeginrevealingsomeofthebarrierswesetouttoidentify.Itwouldbeappropriatetouncovertheselfbenefitsstudentsbelieveare

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associatedwithengagingthisalternativemovement.Weneedtodetermineandovercomethebarrierstotapwaterandfountainuse

atWMUinordertoreduceconsumptionofbottledwater.Fromoursurvey,westudiedthesocialaspectsthatstudentshaveonbottledwater.

Thestepswetooktorevealtheconstrainingbarrierswere:1)Conductasurveywitharandomsampleofstudents.Thesurveysupplieddataforthetypesofbarriersweaimedtodiscover.2)Conductanotherstudyusingourowncriteriaforjudgingtheconditionsofthedrinkingfountainsoncampus.Todothis,wemadeacolumnedchartthatfirstnamedthelocationswevisited,followedbyanexteriorauditanditsstateofworkingorder(AppendixV).3)Theinformationwasthengatheredandcomparedfromourtwosurveysandpresentedtomakeourcase. Ourultimatepurposeofthisprojectistomakefilteredwateravailableoncampusforfree.WMUhastheopportunitytosubstituteanenergyintensivebehaviorforonethatachievesagreatersustainableobjective;onethataimstoreduceunnecessarywastesandenergyconsumptionassociatedwiththelifecycleintheproduction,transportation,anddistributionofplastic.Itisimportanttoconsiderthemanyimpactsthathaveabearingontheenvironment. Ifpeoplehaveaccesstogoodqualitytapwater,theyshoulduseit.Onthecontrary,whatwe’vegatheredfromoursamplesurveyisthattheconditionoffountaintapwaterinfluenceshisorherdecisiontodrinkfromthem.Wehavedevelopedaproposalwhichaimstoprovideanoptimalsolutionfortheuniversityaswellasmakehighqualitydrinkingwateravailabletothecampuscommunity.Together,itwillbepairedwithaprogramtoencouragetheuseofreusablecontainers.Ourgoalswillbetoreducetheuseofplasticbottles,decreasethebarriersthatstudentsarefacedwithconcerningcampusdrinkingwateroptions,andsupporttheprimeselectedreusablecontainersfromKleanKanteen. Toputfiltereddrinkingstationsintoeffectwouldserveasanactioniteminourpromotiontodecreasetheamountofwasteweproducetogetherasacampus.Manufacturingisonlythefirststepinanenergyintensiveprocessofconsumingwaterinplasticwaterbottles.Incontrasttotapwater,thetransportingbottledwaterinvolvesburningmassivequantitiesoffossilfuels.Roughly80‐86percentofplasticwaterbottlesendupasgarbageandtheonlymaterialthatcanberecycledisthematerialknownasPET.IfthemanufacturerusesPETfortheirbottlingpractices,theyarerequiredtonameitonthebottle,whichisusuallylocatedonthebottom. WMUischallengedtoexpanditsexistingsustainabilityeffortsandcommitmentsbyunderliningthestoriesofsuccessfulmodelsofsustainabilityfunctionsandactivities.AsidentifiedintheACUPCCStrategicSustainabilityInitiativesReport,“weneedtocreateandinstitutionalizeprocessesfor:1)developingopen,collaborativesustainabilitystrategicplanning;2)identifyingandallocatingthenecessaryresourcestosuccessfullyimplementourplans;and3)settingbothachievablegoalsandtargetsandmeasuringandtrackingoursuccesstostimulateimprovement.”(ACUPCC)

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III.MethodologyandData Sincethereisnopastprojectwhichrelatestofilteredwaterstationsbeinginstalledoncampus,ourprimarymissionwastodevelopastudentsurveytoseehowiftherewasstudentsupportinmakingfilteredwateravailableatnocosttothem.Anotherkeypointwehuntedtoinvestigatewerethepurchasinghabitsofstudentsofbottledwater.Forexample,weasked“Whereyourprimarysourceofdrinkingcomesfrom”,“Atwhatquantitydoyoupurchase”,andgeneralreasonsfordrinkingbottledwaterversusothersources.Weexpectedahigherpercentageofstudentstopurchasebottledwater.Ourresultshowever,weretheopposite.Thiscouldpartlybeduetothedesignofsomeofthequestions. Inadditiontoseekingstudent’sperceptionsofthefountains,weexaminedtheconditionsourselves.Inourevaluationweincludedtowhatextenttheindividualfountainsoperatedaswellasthesmell,taste,andappearanceofthem.Theresultsfromtestingrevealedanewlight;suddenly,ourgeneralperceptionsofthefountainswerenotasterribleasweinitiallypredictedthemtobe.Onaverage,mostweresatisfactorywithafewexceptions. Wewantedtobegingroundworkforintroducingahighqualitystainlesssteelwaterbottle,availableatWMUbookstore.Wesearchedforcompanieswhosefoundationsarededicatedtosustainablemanufacturing.Wethenfocusedaquestiononthesurveyofwhetherornotstudentswouldpurchaseahighqualitywaterbottle.Whenitcametothewaterbottles,alotofpastresearchwasalreadycompleteontheEcoMug,suchasifthecompanymanufacturesitsproductsbasedonsoundpractices.ThegroupofstudentswhohaveworkedontheEcoMuginthepastalsoconductedaseriesofteststodecidetheproduct’sdurability.Thisworkhelpedusdecidewhichcompaniestopurchasesamplesfrom.Wedecidedtogathersamplesfromtwocompanies,TheExpressLineandKleanKanteen. Afterlookingatthemanywaterbottleoptionsofferedinthecampusbookstores,startingfromanarrayofplastictoaluminum,werealizedagoodqualitybottlemadefromstainlesssteelisnotavailabletopurchase.Thatisthereasoningforsearchingforsomethingthatisofhigherqualityforstudents.Oncewefoundthetwocompanieswedesiredforthetest,wedistributedsomesamplestothestudentsinourclass.Theirhomeworkwastotestthewaterbottlesineverywaypossiblethatwouldrevealitsdurabilityandoveralllikeness.(SeeAppendixIV)IV.ExamplesofBestPracticeonCampus Whilesomecreationoffootingwasstartedbyaresearchundergraduate,weareessentiallyembarkinguponafresh,newinitiative.Chris,theresearchundergraduate,exploredvaluableinformationcomparingthecostsassociatedwithsomeofthedifferentoptionsoffiltrationmachines.Chrisalsoconductedablindtastetestthat

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offeredtwotypesofwater:ReverseOsmosisandFilteredwater.Theresultsfromthesmalltestingrevealedthatoverallitwasanevenlydividedpreference. Perhapsthemostvaluablepieceofdatacamefromaresource(ThomasReich)thatperformedwaterqualitytestsatfivedifferentlocationsoncampus(SeeAppendixVI).Hissamplingsindicatedthatthewaterqualityisindeedsafe.Ifthisistrue,thentheremustbeareasonwhystudentsstillpreferbottledwaterovertapwater.Asweinitiallypredictedaboutthewater’squality,thereweresizeableamountsofIron.Ironissignificantbecauseithasaneffectonthewater’stasteandappearance.Wehaveidentifiedtastetobethesinglemostcontributingfactortowhystudentsaremotivatedtodrinkbottledwaterinsteadoftapwater.Theevidenceisthere,andthatshowsthatthewaterisadequate;however,itdoesnotdenythefactthatthetasteofthewaterisnotdesirable.Inordertofindoutwhy,weusedoursurveytocorrelatestudents’opinionsandperceptionsofthedrinkingfountainconditionswithourownfindingsfromexaminingthefountains.

Moreover,eventhoughwearepresentedwithevidencethatourwaterqualityoncampusisbelowthelevelofconcern,thesetestsshouldbeusedasabasisforfurtherinvestigationbyextendingtoperformmoretests.V.ExamplesofBestPracticeonOtherCampuses Inparticular,ColoradoatBoulderwasaleadingmodelinourinitiative.Ourpremiseisthatsuccessfulpositivechangeshaveoccurredatuniversitieswhenstudents,withthesupportoffaculty,developinnovativeprojectsandsolutionstoaddressourpastandpresentunsustainablebehaviors.Collegesaremagnetsforresourcesandinterestingpeople,ideas,andprojectsthatcanhavesignificantimpactontheircommunity’ssustainabledevelopmentefforts.

Inanefforttoprotecttheenvironment,universitiesarebecomingleadersinecoculturalsustainabilitybyconsideringalternativeoptionsthatwillprovidefilteredwaterstationsinsteadofbottledwater.Belowarethemajoruniversitiesthathaveinfluencedusonthepathforourproposal.OurbiggestinfluenceswereCUatBoulderandKalamazooCollege.Althoughwedidnothavetheextendedamountoftimeorfinancialresourcesavailabletousatthetimetoexecuteourproposalforapilot,wemirroredsomeoftheirstepsbecausetheyweresuccessfulinimplementingsustainablewaterpracticesontheircampuses.

UniversityofBoulderatColorado Thepracticesatthisuniversitywerethemostinfluentialtousbecausethestudentswhoworkedonitclearlydefinedtheirplaceandgoalsinitsmissiontochangingattitudesandinfluencingsustainablebehaviors.Students,faculty,andstaffat

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UniversityofBoulderatColoradostartedoutbyrecognizingcurrentunsoundactivitiesoncampus;whichiswhatwehavesetforthtoexpose. Inthelastdecade,studentbodysupportatBoulderColoradohasblossomedsinceitbeganitsearlystagesoftransformationasauniversityleaderinshiftingtowardaminimalimpactlifestyle.Boulder’slifecyclebeganin2008,whenDiningServicesfirstlaunchedfilteredwaterstationsasapilotindininghalls.Subsequenttotheinstallation,theirnextstepwastoincreasethepopularitybyusingincentivesandotherpublicawarenesstools.WiththehelpofdedicatedmemberswhofirstlaunchedabottledwaterteamandwiththesupportofDiningServices,CoordinatorofNutritionandSales,CoordinatorforFacilities,andCoordinatorforProcurement,thishardworkingteamwasabletosuccessfullyoutlineproblemsoncampus. AccordingtoDiningServices,thepresenceofthefilteredwaterstationshadmadelittleornoimpactonthelargeamountofbottlewaste.Wefurtherinvestigatethislowusagerateandtoprovidesuggestionsforimprovements,whichwaspairedwiththerequesttoencouragetheuseofreusablemugs.Ourownmissionwassimilartotheirs,withtheexceptionthatWMUdoesnotalreadyownfilteredstationsandwesetouttoencouragereusablewaterbottlesinsteadofmugs.AkeyactionplanforCUatBoulderinvolveddesigningcreativesignsthattogetherpromoteandhelpeducatestudentsabouttheuseoffilteredwaterstationsasahealthyalternative. LikeWMU,bottledwateronBoulder’scampusisproducedbytheCoca‐ColaCorporationalongwithafewothers.Theytookitastepfurtherandcalculatedtheapproximatehealthandecologicalfootprintsconcerningthemanufacturingofthevarioustypesofplasticbottles.ThismodelwouldbeveryimportanttoWMUinthefutureandwouldserveasahugeleverageforinitiatingachange.Althoughpaststudentshavedevelopedaformulatosummarizetheschool’sgreenhousegasemissions,notallactivitieshavebeenmeasured.Calculatingtheenergyuse,wouldassiststudentenvironmentalresearcherstogathermorequantitativedataandcalculateresultsintothepreviouswork. Thestudentsputupsignsabovethewaterfiltrationstations.Withoutexplainingwhatitisandthereasonforitbeingthere,studentswouldhavelittleideaandwouldeasilypassitby.Wedecidedthatitwouldbeagreatideatoputupourmuralsandposterstocatchtheattentionofpassingstudents. Theirsurveyobservationsofferedperceptionaboutthehighrateofbottledwateruse.KalamazooCollege

Inthe2007‐2008schoolyear,theenvironmentalorganizationatKCollegeinitiatedacampaigntospreadawarenessabouttheimpactsofunsustainablebehaviorsonfreshwatersupplies.KCollege’sactionplanbeganwithathreepartcampaignthatisapartoftheCollege’sclimatecommitmentplanandefforttoreducetheconsumptionofbottledwateroncampus.Theenvironmentalorganizationfirstdirectedtheirefforttowardsmakingavisualillustrationofemptywaterbottlesandhungthemoncampus.

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Thenextstepwastosetupatableinthecafeteriatosellreusablewaterbottlesandalsotoencouragestudentstosignpledgestoreduceoreliminatebottledwaterconsumption.TheircampaignwaspartoftheThinkOutsidetheBottleCampaign.“Thisisacampaigntopromote,protect,andensurepublicfundingforourwatersystems”(thinkoutsidethebottle.org)PortlandStateUniversity

Portland’sEnvironmentalClubinitiatedapubliccampaigncalled“TakeBacktheTap,”anorganizedcampaigntoreducetheuseofplasticbottlesonPSU’scampus.

TheireffortsofleadershipwerepublishedinThePortlandTribune.Indoingso,theirawarenessreachedevenmoreindividualswhichencouragedparticipationandsupportintheirstrivingactionstowardecoculturalsustainability.Again,thisstressestheimportanceofpublicawarenessprogramsasatoolforchangingsocialbehavior.GrandValleyStateUniversity StudentonTapisacommitteeatGrandValleyStateUniversity.JoshLyckastatedthatthecommittee’smainareaoffocusisdirectlyrootedineducation.Thisgroupofstudentsstronglybelieveeducatingthepublicabouttheactualupstreamanddownstreamcostsofbottledwateriswhatfuelssupportfortheirinitiative. StudentsonTapisjustgettingthecampaignstarted,butalreadytheyhaveschemedpossiblealternativesforstudentsshouldthecampaignbesuccessful.Someofthosealternativesinclude:reverseosmosiswaterstations,gettingreusablewaterbottlesouttostudents,andhavingacheck‐outsystemforstudentswheretheycanrentorborrowareusablebottleintheeventtheydonotcarrytheirown.Thislastideapresentsobviouspotentialhealthissues,aswellastakinginconvenienceintoconsideration,whichiswhywechosenottoincorporateit. VI.DiscussionAnalysisofDrinkingFountainsandSurveyResults

Ourfindingsofsomeofthecampusdrinkingfountainswereforthemostpart,fairlysimilar.Whenwefirststartedourproject,ourinitialperceptionsofthedrinkingfountainswereverypoor;weexpectedthemtobedirtyandundesirabletodrinkfrom.

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However,wefoundsurprisingopposingresultsonceweevaluatedthem.Tosummarizeourresults,wefoundthatcorrodedresiduetendedtoaccumulate

onmanyofthefountain’sspout.Thischaracteristic,whichremainedconsistentasweexaminedseveralfountains,consistedofacombinationofwhite,blue‐greencrud.Althoughthisappearstobedispleasingforusers,itdoesn’tchangethefactthatthewatercomingoutfromthefountainisjustassufficient,orevenmoreso,thanthewaterthatispumpedfromafarawaysourcebybottlewatercorporations.

Fromtheresultsofoursurvey,therewere71.6percentoftheresponseswhichstatedthattheconditionofthecampusdrinkingfountainsaffectstheirdecisiontousethem.Furthermore,63.3percentoftherespondentsstatedthatlackofcleanlinessiswhatdisappointsthemaboutthedrinkingfountains.Otherdeterminingcharacteristicsworthmentioningaremalfunctionsofthemachine(i.e.watershootsouttoosoftly,ortoorapidly),51.4percentandtasteofthewater,66.1percent.Together,thesenumbersprovideevidencethattheappearanceofthefountainastheuserapproachesitforadrinkwillgreatlydirecthisorherdecisiontodrinkfromit.Ifthisisindeedtrue,weneedtoexamineanactionplantoadjustusers’behaviortotakeadvantageofthewaterthatissuppliedbyourlocalwatersystemsinsteadofsupportingtheprivatizationofwaterthatisboughtandsoldbycorporatecompanies.Byswitchingfrombottledwatertoasourcethatistreatedlocallyandprovidedatamuchlowercosttothecommunity,wewouldbesupportingfurtherinvestmenttowardfutureimprovementsofthecity’smunicipalsystem.

Iffilteredwatersystemswereinstalledoncampus,86.2percentofstudentswouldbelikelytousethem.Thisnumber,althoughtakenfromasmallpopulationsample,mayprovideenoughevidencethatwouldsuggestalargersamplewouldlikewisecounterthesameanswer. Thelocationofapilotisobviouslyoneofthemostimportantfactorsinitssuccess,sowesetouttoaskstudentswhatwouldbeadesirablelocationtofilluptheirreusablewatercontainers.84.2percentofstudentsthatparticipatedinoursurveysaidthattheywouldusethefilteredwaterstationsiftheywerelocatedintheBernhardCenter.Wegavethemanoptiontoalsosuggesttheirownlocationidea.Amongthemwere:theResidenceHalls,Sangren,SprauTower,andParkview.Tosetupafiltrationmachinethiswouldcallforanexpensiveupfrontcost.Nevertheless,theuniversityisresponsiblefortheremovalofitslitterandrecycledproducts;andbyreducingourconsumptionofmerelynonreusableplasticwaterbottles,wouldalonesaveagreatdealofmoney. OurfirstandonlyscenariowouldbeforthepilotmachinetobeinstalledinsidetheBernhardCenter.Wechosenottoexploreotherlocationsbecausewewantedtofocusmainlyonapracticallocationoncampustoconductatrial.

Oneofoptionsofamachinewefoundwasthe“ElkayEXH20BottleFillingStation.”Wehavealsocomeupwithotherfiltrationmachines(SeeAppendixVII).

Ourmostlimitingfactorwastime,especiallysincetherewasnotalotofgroundworktoassistinthebeginningphasesofourproposal.Weinitiallyhadsomanyaspirationsofwhatwehadhopedtoaccomplish,butsimplydidnothavetheamountoftimeitwouldrequire.

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AnalysisofWaterBottles

Wedecidedthatthere‐reusablewaterbottlesthatweprovideshouldbestainlesssteel.Ourdecisionwasbaseduponthatthereisnocurrentevidencethatstainlesssteelwaterbottlesleachharmfulchemicalsanddonotretainflavors.Moreimportantly,stainlesssteelismuchmoredurablethanplastic,lastslonger,andisBPAfree.Sincestainlesssteelisalreadyasafealternativetoaluminumandplastics,itdoesnotneedtobelinedforprotection.LinersinreusablewaterbottlesusuallycontainBPA,aharmfulsubstancethathasbeenconnectedtonumerousillnesses.Thestainlesssteelwaterbottlesdonottakeonotherflavorsduetothelackofaliner.Otherbenefitstostainlesssteelwaterbottlesincludethedurabilityassociatedwithusingacombinationofchromiumandnickel.Usedtogether,theresistancetostainsandrustisincreased.Also,stainlesssteelprovidesaneasytocleansurfacethatallowsforamoresanitarywaterbottle.Thehealthbenefitsassociatedwithstainlesssteelarereasonenoughtopreferastainlesssteelwaterbottle,therestarejustaddedbenefits. VII.LimitationsofAnalysis&FutureWork Limitations

Oneofthemajorproblemsweencounteredwasgettingoursurveysentoutto

students’e‐mails.Wespenttwodaysattheflagpolestobotheducatestudentsaboutourinitiativeandsurveyingthem.Duringthosetwodays,wecollectedapproximately70to85responsesandtherestwerecollectedfromonlineresponses.Webelievesurveyingattheflagpoleswasasuccessfulleverage,thoughitdidn’treachasmanystudentsaswehadhopedfor.Wee‐mailedseveraladvisors,departmentchairs,andprofessorstoseeiftheywoulddistributeoursurveytotheirlistserverofstudents.Wefoundthatindeed,themostchallengingpartwasgettingtheapprovalthatwasneededfromtheHSIRB.Timewasthefactorinthismatterbecauseitwouldtakemonthsforthemtoapprovethatit.

OursurveywasthefirstofitskindatWMU,therefore,thereisalottolearnfromit.Werealizedthatsomeofthequestionsmayneedtobemoredirectorrephrased.

ThePhysicalPlantwouldbemostresistanttoinstallingandmaintainingwaterstationsbecauseoftheextralaborandcostsitwouldrequire.

FutureWork

• Sincethemanufactures,EarthtoEarth,arewillingtoworkwithWMUto

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improvethestainlesssteelwaterbottlesthatwetested,futureworkisrequiredsothatWMUwillbeabletoofferahighqualitystainlesssteelwaterbottleatthecampusbookstores.

• Educationoutreachcampaigntobringawarenessofgreenhousegasemissionsassociatedwiththeproduction,transportation,etc.

• Furthertestingonmanyotherdrinkingfountains(ThomasReich).

• ContinuetotryandaccessCoca‐colacontract.

• Pilotoffilteredwatermachine(seeAppendixVII).

VIII.Conclusion/Recommendations Concerningthesurvey,wefeltitdidnotreachthepopulationdesired.Atfirstwedidn’tbelievethesurveywasgoingtobeakeysteppingpoint.Ontheotherhand,weconcludedthatitwasfarmoreimportantaspartofourcourseofaction.Werealizedthroughthesurveythatstudentsupportwascriticalandhearinghowthestudentsreallyfeelwassignificantbecauseultimately,ifstudentsdon’tcare,whyshouldtheuniversityfinditnecessarytoinstallexpensivemachines? Afterreviewingthesurvey,wethoughtitwouldbehelpfultoaddthefollowingquestion“Doyoupurchasebottledwater,”inayesornoformat.Itwouldhavebeenalotmoredirectandwewouldhaveobtainedasamplestatisticthatsupportstheirreasonwhytheychosetodrinkbottledwater.Inaddition,itcouldalsopresentsupportingdatatowardsthestrikingnumberofplasticwasteonWesternMichiganUniversity’scampus. Afterfurtherrefiningourproposalinitiative,weaimforittobereviewedandacceptedbytheSustainableFundBoard.Thefundcanprovidesufficientfundingthatisneedforthisproject.Amajordrawbackistheinitialcapitalcostsrelatedtothemachines.Forinstance,itwouldrequireanextensiveamountofadditionallabortoinstallandcontinuallymaintainthemachinestomakesuretheyareinproperworkingstatus.Inorderfortheuniversitytofinditpracticaltoinvestinthisproject,itmustbeconsiderablyinexpensive.Weprovideacostcomparisonofsomeoftheelevatedpossibilitiesofmachineoptions(AppendixVII). Wedidn’tfollowtheexactmannerofproceduresthatthesuccessfuluniversitiesinourbestpracticemodelscarriedoutmainlybecauseourschool’scircumstancesareslightlydifferent.Forexample,atCUatBoulder,theirfilteredwaterstationswereimplementedintodininghalls,whichtheyplacedoncountertopsthatbecamepartof

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theircafeteriaoperation.Inourgivencase,thetestpilotlocatedanywhereoncampuswouldneedtobeasomethingstudentscanidentifyeasilysotheywillmakeuseofit.TheBernhardCenterisanidealplacetopilotafiltrationmachine.Oneofthewaystodeterminewhetherit’sbeingusedbythestudentsistodocumentthenumberoftimesthemachinehasbeenusedinagivenday,week,and/ormonth.Apossiblewayofachievingthiswouldbetoinstallasystemtoswipeastudent’sBroncoIDcard.Theswipingsystemwouldalsotelluswho’susingitandamongthestudentswhoare,howoftenandatwhatgiventimesitisbeingused. Ahighpriorityrecommendationforthenextgroupofstudentswhocarryonwiththisproject,wewouldstronglysuggesttocombinetwoformsofqualitativeresearchthatwouldbeusefultoidentifybarriersandbenefits:observationalstudiesandalargefocusgroupsurveystudy. Suggestedobservationalstudiesofthisprojectinvolvewatchingstudentscarryoutachosenbehaviorinadirectmanner.Itwouldbeidealtoobservefirsthandstudentbehaviorsinconnectiontothedrinkingfountains,suchasrecordingtheiractionsandusage.Furthermore,aplanonceapilotisinstalledattheBernhardwouldbetoobserveandrecordstudents’behaviortodetermineifthereisasocialchange.Directobservationswouldbeaveryvaluabletechniquebecauseitwouldbypasslimitationsofexaggeratedresponseswhenaskingstudentstoselfreportabouttheirpersonalbehaviorsbysurvey. Afterexecutionofoursurvey,werealizedthatnotonlywastheparticipatingsamplingclassundersizedbutalso,itdidnotoperatetoconcentrateonanyspecificfocusgroup.Forexample,wecouldhavegearedthequestioningtowardfreshmanstudents,andspenttimeintheresidencehallssurveyingthem.Withtheobtaineddata,wemighthavebeenabletomakealeveragingcaseforinstallingfilteredwatermachinesinresidencehalls,iftheresultsdeemedsignificant. JustasKalamazooCollegehastheOutsidetheBottlePledgeasapartoftheircampaign,wewouldliketoseethatsamepledgebroughttoWMU.Wecouldalsomakethepledgeavailableforstudentstosignoncampus,forexample,thedininghallswouldbeagreatlocationtoraiseawarenessandgainsupport. FurthersuggestionsincludeshowingthefilmTappedoncampus.Itwouldbeapartofourraisingawarenesscampaign.Wehavenotseenthefilmyet,butwehavereadandheardpositivereviewsonit.Thefilmexposesthedangersofthebottleddrinkingwaterindustry,ofwhichmanypeoplearenotawareof.Moreover,thisfilmisaboutthe“behindthesceneslookintotheunregulatedandunseenworldofanindustrythataimstoprivatizeandsellbacktheoneresourcethatoughtnevertobecomeacommodity‐water.”(Tapped‐ReviewfromFilm.com) WecanusethesuccessandfailuresexperiencedbyKalamazooCollegeasanadvantageandusethemasleveragepointsforourinitiativestrategies.Wewouldliketoimplementaneducationalawarenesscampaigntoprovideinsightfulandeffectivefactsrelatingtotheupstreamanddownstreamcostsassociatedwithbottledwatertostudents.

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Ourultimategoalforthefutureistocutdownonbottledwaterinthefollowingareas: 1)NewStudentOrientation 2)Commencement 3)StudentEvents 4)SportingEvents 5)VendingMachines 6)ResidenceHalls 7)CampusCafésIX.References

"AssociationfortheAdvancementofSustainabilityinHigherEducation|News,

Resources,Events,andAssessmentToolsfortheCampusSustainability

Community."AssociationfortheAdvancementofSustainabilityinHigher

Education.N.p.,n.d.Web.15Apr.2010.<http://www.aashe.org/>.

"BottleWater."Orange,BlackandGreen.N.p.,n.d.Web.21Apr.2010.

<reason.kzoo.edu/green/campusinitiatives/waterconservation/bottledwat

er/>.

"BottledWater|Food&WaterWatch."Food&WaterWatch.N.p.,n.d.Web.10Apr.

2010.<http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/water/bottled/>.

"CorporateAccountabilityInternational."ThinkOutsidetheBottle.N.p.,n.d.Web.20

Apr.2010.<www.thinkoutsidethebottle.org/>.

"EnvironmentalClub's"TakeBacktheTap"CampaignFeaturedinthePortland

Tribune."PSUEcoWiki:Yourlocalsustainabilityactionhub.N.p.,n.d.Web.9

Apr.2010.<http://ecowiki.pdx.edu/component/content/article/1‐latest‐

news/842‐environmental‐clubs‐qtake‐back‐the‐tapq‐campaign‐featured‐in‐

16 | P a g e

the‐oregonian.html>.

"EnvironmentalDefenseFundExposes"SorryState"ofPlasticsRecycling‐

EnvironmentalDefenseFund."EnvironmentalDefenseFund­Findingthe

WaysThatWork.N.p.,n.d.Web.18Apr.2010.

<http://www.edf.org/pressrelease.cfm?ContentID=1888>.

Franklin,Karmen,andMikaelaMadalinkski."ReducingBottledWaterUseinDining

ServicesattheUniversityofColoradoatBoulder."UniversityofColoradoat

Boulder.N.p.,n.d.Web.20Feb.2010.

<envs.colorado.edu/uploads/undergrad/Reducing_Bottled_Water_Use_in_Di

ning_Services_(2).pdf>.

"KleanKanteenCustomerService:FrequentlyAskedQuestions(FAQs)."Klean

Kanteen:theOriginalBPA­free,StainlessSteelBottle.N.p.,n.d.Web.6Mar.

2010.<http://www.kleankanteen.com/faqs/faqs.html>.

Mckenzie‐Mohr,Doug,andWilliamSmith.FosteringSustainableBehavior:An

IntroductiontoCommunity­BasedSocialMarketing(Educationfor

SustainabilitySeries).1ed.GabriolaIsland,BC:NewSocietyPublishers,

1999.Print.

"NRDC:PlasticWaterBottles."NRDC:NaturalResourcesDefenseCouncil­TheEarth's

BestDefense.N.p.,n.d.Web.18Apr.2010.

<http://www.nrdc.org/thisgreenlife/0902.asp>.

"PacificInstitute‐BottledWater."PacificInstitute:ResearchforPeopleandthe

Planet.N.p.,n.d.Web.11Apr.2010.

<http://www.pacinst.org/topics/water_and_sustainability/bottled_water/i

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ndex.htm>.

"ReplacingBottledWateronCampusFirstProjectofUniversitySustainability

Council|ArkansasNewswire|UniversityofArkansas."ArkansasNewswire

|UniversityofArkansas.N.p.,n.d.Web.9Apr.2010.

<http://newswire.uark.edu/article.aspx?id=11079>.

Royte,Elizabeth.Bottlemania:HowWaterWentonSaleandWhyWeBoughtIt.New

York:BloomsburyUSA,2008.Print.

"StandardsandRiskManagement|Safewater|Water|USEPA."USEnvironmental

ProtectionAgency.N.p.,n.d.Web.19Mar.2010.

<http://www.epa.gov/safewater/standard/index.html>.

"Tapped."Film.com.N.p.,n.d.Web.18Apr.2010.

<www.film.com/movies/tapped/30552770>.

"UniversitieswithBottledwaterpolicies:americanBottledwaterBansandUse

Reductioncampaigns."AssociationfortheAdvancementofSustainabilityin

HIgherEducation.N.p.,n.d.Web.22Apr.2010.

<www.responsiblepurchasing.org/purchasing_guides/bottled_water_univer

sity_edition/addendum2.pdf>.

"WaterWarning‐IsBottledWaterBetter?."WaterWarning.N.p.,n.d.Web.22Apr.

2010.<http://www.waterwarning.com/bottlewaterfact.php>.

"WhyWater."ActiveWater.N.p.,n.d.Web.18Apr.2010.

<http://www.activewater.org/Our_Story.php>.Zentmeyer,Anya."StudentsonTapseekstoeliminateuseofbottledwater‐GrandValleyLanthorn."GrandValleyLanthorn.N.p.,14Feb.2010.Web.8Apr.2010.<http://www.lanthorn.com/1042‐Bottled‐Water‐Comittee>.

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X.AppendicesAppendixI:AuthorContacts

Name PhoneNumber Email

KimberlyShafer (269)449‐4463 kimberly.j.shafer@wmich.eduAlexandraSecrest (815)342‐1327 alexandra.m.secrest@wmich.edu

AppendixII:ContactListandE‐mailCommunicationLog

Name Title Email PhoneNumber

DonPenskarDirector,LogisticalServices donald.penskar@wmich.edu 269.387.8804

ChrisChaprara UndergradResearcher christopher.b.chaprara@wmich.edu 269.350.7711

BaibaStepeDirectorofAuxilaryEnterpriseOffice baiba.stepe@wmich.edu 269.387.3362

TomDuisterhof GordonWaterRep. tomd@gordonwater.com 616.262.5188

ThomasReichTestedwaterfromthefountains thomas.j.reich@wmich.edu n/a

MatthewHollander

PostgraduateSustainabilityResearcher m4hollan@wmich.edu 269.352.5093

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From Betsy Drummer <betsy.drummer@wmich.edu> Sent Thursday, April 8, 2010 8:14 am

To Kimberly Joy Shafer <kimberly.j.shafer@wmich.edu> Subject Re: A student survey

DearBetsy,

Iamabusinessstudent.Iamcurrentlyworkingonasustainbilityprojectproposalforaclass,inwhichtotoimplementfreefilteredwaterstationsthroughoutWMU'scampus.Iwouldgreatlyappreciateyourhelpindistributinthise‐mailbelowtoyourserverlistofstudents.Theurlcontainsashortsurveyforstudents,faculty,staff,etc.Iwouldsogreatlyappreciateyourhelpbysendingthefollowingmessageoutcontainingtheurl.Inadvance,thankyouforyourtimeandhelp.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/wmuwater

Thankyou,

KimShafer

HiKim,WedonothavealistservinwhichIcandothis.Sorry!Whenwesendoutmassemails,it'sfromthedirectionofthefacultyandtheofficecoordinatorscangetaclasslistfromtheprofessor.Thebestpersontomaybecontactwouldbesomeoneinchargeofcommunicationforthecollegeofbusiness.ValorieJuergensisourcommunicationcoordinatorforthecollegeofbusiness.Sheworksoutofthedeansoffice,youmaytrytocontactheraboutalistservorsomeothermeansofgettingthisoutforyou.Hereisthewebsitetoourcommunicationsdepartment:http://www.wmich.edu/business/communications/Hopethishelps!BetsyBetsyDrummerOfficeofAdvisingandAdmissionsHaworthCollegeofBusinessWesternMichiganUniversityPhone:(269)387‐5089Fax:269‐387‐5710betsy.drummer@wmich.edu

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FromValorieJuergens<valorie.juergens@wmich.edu>SentThursday,April8,20109:54amTothom.myers@wmich.eduCcBetsyDrummer<betsy.drummer@wmich.edu>,kimberly.j.shafer@wmich.edu

SubjectFwd:Astudentsurvey.(HCOB)

DearValorie,

IamabusinessstudentandIamcurrentlyworkingonasustainbilityprojectproposalforaclass,inwhichtotoimplementfreefilteredwaterstationsthroughoutWMU'scampus.IcontactedBetsyDrummer,intheofficeofadvisingandadmissionofbusiness,shesuggestedtoe‐mailourcommunicationscoordinatorsinceshedidnothavealistserv.Iwouldgreatlyappreciateyourhelpindistributingthise‐mailbelowtoyourserverlistofstudents.Theurlcontainsashortsurveyforstudents,faculty,staff,etc.Iwouldsogreatlyappreciateyourhelpbysendingthefollowingmessageoutcontainingtheurl.Inadvance,thankyouforyourtimeandhelp.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/wmuwater

Thankyou,

KimShafer

FromThomMyers<thom.myers@wmich.edu>SentThursday,April8,201011:15amToKimberlyJoyShafer<kimberly.j.shafer@wmich.edu>CcValorieJuergens<valorie.juergens@wmich.edu>,BetsyDrummer

<betsy.drummer@wmich.edu>,JimGilchrist<james.gilchrist@wmich.edu>SubjectRe:Astudentsurvey.(HCOB)

HiKim,AsurveyofstudentsrequiresapprovaloftheHumanSubjectsInstitutionalReviewBoardandapprovaloftheUniversity'schiefinformationofficer,Dr.JamesGilchrist.WedonotuseWMUe‐mailtodistributeinvitationstotakestudent‐conductedsurveys.WewillpublishinvitationsthroughatargetedannouncementinGoWMU,butonlyifthesurveyispartofdoctoraldissertation.Weestablishedtheselimits,becauseotherwise,wewouldallbeburiedinsurveyrequests.Ifyouwanttoappeal,you

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shouldwritetoDr.Gilchristatjames.gilchrist@wmich.edu.Itwouldbemoreproductive,however,tothinkofotherwaystogetthewordout.Forexample,youhave446Facebookfriends.YoucouldselecttheonesatWMUorHaworthCollegeofBusinessandsendthemaninvitationthroughFB.Regards,ThomThomMyersDirectorofElectronicCommunicationOfficeofUniversityRelationsWesternMichiganUniversityKalamazooMI49008‐5433office(269)387‐8710or387‐8400mobile(269)720‐4713thom.myers@wmich.edu

FromMatthewHollander<m4hollan@gmail.com>SentWednesday,April7,20107:27pmToKimberlyShaferJoy<kimberly.j.shafer@wmich.edu>CcGlasserHarold<harold.glasser@wmich.edu>

SubjectWatersamplesAttachments Wateraroundcampus.xlsx 38K

DearKim,HereisThomasReich'sdata.NowthatIlookatitheonlytestedfivesources.IfyourecommendthatmoresourcesaretestedatleastweknowthatDr.Koretsky'slabhasthecapabilities(ifnotthetime,money,ordesire)todothem.Hisemailisthomas.j.reich@wmich.eduandheisacoolguy.Cheers,Matt

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FromDonaldPenskar<donald.penskar@wmich.edu>SentMonday,April12,201012:45pmToKimberlyJoyShafer<kimberly.j.shafer@wmich.edu>

SubjectRe:NumbersonCoca‐Colapurchasing

Mr.Penskar,MynameisKim,I'mastudentworkingonasemesterlongprojectforoneofmyclasses.Inshort,theprojectisaproposaltohelpigniteasustainablechangeoncampus,asPres.Dunnhasrecentlyidentifiedtobecomeintegratedintotheinstitution.OneofthelastpiecesofdatathatwouldbedesirabletoincludewouldbeanyinformationonpurchasingordersforCoca‐Cola.Inparticular,Iamlookingatthetrendofbottledwater,soanapproximatenumberofhowmanyWMUpurchaseswouldbeextremelysupportive.Ifyouhaveanytimetomeetwithmethisweek,insteadofthroughe‐mail,itwouldbemosthelpfulandappreciated.Ithankyouforyourtimeandhelp.Sincerely,KimShafer

Kim,Thanksforyournote....IamnotsurethatIhavethespecificinformationyouneedonthis.....butpleasegivemeacallat269‐387‐8804andIthinkIcanpointyouintherightdirection.DonDonPenskarDirector,LogisticalServicesWesternMichiganUniversityKalamazoo,MI49008Phone‐269‐387‐8804Fax‐269‐387‐8824E‐Mail‐donald.penskar@wmich.edu

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FromDonaldPenskar<donald.penskar@wmich.edu>SentTuesday,April13,201012:42pmToKimberlyJoyShafer<kimberly.j.shafer@wmich.edu>

SubjectRe:NumbersonCoca‐Colapurchasing

Kim,IsthereanumberIcanreachyou?Orifyouprefer,pleaseletmeknowatimeyouwouldliketocallandIwillmakesureIamhere....youcanalsotrymycellat269‐217‐4238.Thanks,DonMr.Penskar,Thankyouforrespondingsoquickly.Itriedcallingyourofficenumberyesterday,butunfortunatelywasnotablereachyou.Isthereabettertimetotry?TomakeaclearerpictureofwhatIamsearchingfor,isanyrelatedinformationonCoca‐Colapurchasing.Thisproject,calledWaterFiltrationonCampus,isforDr.Glasser'sclass.Thankyou,KimShaferFromBaibaStepe<baiba.stepe@wmich.edu>SentFriday,April16,20101:34pmToKimberlyJoyShafer<kimberly.j.shafer@wmich.edu>

SubjectRe:Coca‐Colainquiry

HiKimandAlex,

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We,WMUVending,donotpurchaseCoca‐Colaproducts.Cokesuppliesthevendingmachinesandproducttofillthem.Theybeartheentirecost.ProductispurchasedbyDiningforthediningroomsandCafes.ThatcontactpersonisJudyGipper.CokeproductsuppliedtoAthleticsishandledbyathirdparty.Letmeknowifyouhaveanyadditionalquestions.Vendingmachinesareserviced2to3daysaweek.Tilllater,BaibaFromServiceMagicCustomerService

<customerservice@mp.servicemagic.com>SentSunday,April18,20108:03pmTokimberly.j.shafer@wmich.edu

SubjectYourservicerequestforGordonWaterSystems,Inc.

DearKim,

ThankyouforyourrequesttobematchedwithGordonWaterSystems,Inc.foryourInstallorReplaceaWaterTreatment&PurificationSystemneed.Wearecurrentlyreviewingyourrequestandwouldliketoconfirmthatyouareinterestedinpursuingthisproject.

WearegladthatyouarepartoftheServiceMagiccommunityofhomeownersandprescreened,customer‐ratedhomeserviceprofessionals.Wehopeyou'llcomebacksoon.

ByusingServiceMagic'sservices,youagreetotheServiceMagicTerms&Conditions

CustomerRegards,ServiceTeamServiceMagic,Inc.TollFree:(866)888‐MAGIC(6244)CustomerService@ServiceMagic.com

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FromTomDuisterhof<tomd@gordonwater.com>SentMonday,April19,201010:06amTokimberly.j.shafer@wmich.edu

SubjectDrinkingWater

Kim,Iamrespondingtoyourinterestinadrinkingwatersolution.Howcanwehelpyoutoday??Iwillcallyoushortly.BestRegards,TomDuisterhoftomd@gordonwater.comwww.gordonwater.com800.Water.68(800.928.3768),Mobile616.262.5188

OnApr19,2010,at11:39AM,KimberlyJoyShaferwrote:Tom,IamastudentatWesternMichiganUniversity.Ihavebeenworkingonasemesterlongprojectproposalinaclassforintroducingfilteredwaterstationsoncampus.Ouraimistoprovidefreefilteredwatertoallindividualsofthecampuscommunity,inanefforttohelpWMU'sjourneytowardsamoresustainableuniversitybyreducinggreenhousegaswastesassociatedwiththeproduction,distribution,anddisposalofbottledwater.OurschoolhasalongstandingcontractwithCoca‐Cola,sowehavesomebarriersthere.Butincludedinmyprojectproposal,aresomewaterequipmentoptionsthatarefeasibleforWMU.Icameacrossyourwebsite,andnoticedyouarelocal,whichisgreat!WMUislikelytogiveapilottestofthemachinethatischosen.Doyouhaveacommercialsizefiltration(machine,fountain,etc.)?ThankyouTomforyourinterestandhelp!

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Sincerely,KimFromTomDuisterhof<tomd@gordonwater.com>SentMonday,April19,20102:27pmToKimberlyJoyShafer<kimberly.j.shafer@wmich.edu>

SubjectRe:DrinkingWaterKim‐Thankyouforcontactingus.Yes,wetoohavebeenworkingwithpersonsatWMUtoproposedrinkingwatersolutions.Wehaveworkedwithtwootherstudents,thelatestbeingChristopherCaprara.TheyhavebeenpartofthePhysicalPlantandreportingtoAnandSankey.Areyouinvolvedatthephysicalplant?DoyouknoweitherChrisorAnand?Wedoofferaverynicesolutionthatcanprovideaverygood,3rdpartytested/verified,drinkingwatersolution.Thefiltrationtechnologycanbecoupledwithabottle‐lesscoolerordirectlytoafaucetfordispensing.Letmeknowwhatyourthoughtsorneedsaremovingforward.BestRegards,TomDuisterhof

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AppendixIII:SurveyQuestions&Results

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AppendixIV:Students’BottleEvaluation

Bottle#6061Durability:Inalmosteveryattempttoseethebottle’sabilitytoremainclosedwhendropped,thecapflewoff.Itleakedconstantlyandthethreadtoholdthecaponstrippedout.Itisobviouslynotmeantforhotdrinks.ThatI’msureof.Itdidn’tkeepcolddrinkscoldeither.Itdentedeasily.Ittastedlikedrinkingoutofanaluminumcan.Cheapandsimplewithalittlebitofaestheticstakenintoaccount.Outof5,I’dgiveita1.Design:It’stoobigandhasnofeatures.Itisbasicallywhatyouthinkitisatfirstglance,ametalcontainer.Nosurprises.Ididn’tgettotryandcookwithit,butI’msureyoucouldbecausethereisnologoanditis100%steel.Themouthwasridiculous.Ispilledalot(i.e.toolarge).Theodorwasminimalandthecapwasaterribledesign.FunctionalityofLid:Asmentionedpreviously,thelidwasjunk.Itstripped,ithadnofeatures(holetosiporanattachmentforcarrying),and,evenknowingItried,I’malmostcertaintheplasticwouldbreak.

Bottle#4161Durability:Iwasoverlyclumsywiththewaterbottles;droppingitondifferentsurfaceswhenfullandwhenempty.‐Easytodentwhenwaterisinthem‐Paintstaysontheoutsidewellevenwhenwashed.‐IdrinkmorewaternowthatIcarrythisaroundwithmeDesign:‐Thesizewasagoodsize,didn’tfeelitwastoolargeortoosmall.‐Feelslightwhichisagoodthing.‐Notastedifferences.WaterstilltastedfineevenafterIleftitintherefor1or2days.FunctionalityofLid:‐Theliddidnotleakorcrackevenaftermuchabuse.ItiskindofapaintounscrewiteverytimeandscrewitbackonbutIwouldtakethatoveraleakywatercanteen.‐Justageneralnoteforstainlesssteelwaterbottlesingeneral.Extralidsshouldbemadeeasilyavailableorshouldbeattachedtotheactualbottlebecausetheybecomeveryuselessifthelidislost.AndI’vealmostlostmineacoupletimes.Ifpeoplelosethelidtheywillmostlikelyjustbuyanotherwholewaterbottlewhichisterriblycounter‐productivetotheproblemthisprogramwouldliketosolve.‐IonlyputwaterinthecanteennowthatIthinkofit.Don’tknowifIwouldputmuchelseintherebutitwouldbenicetoknowthatnoflavorisleftfromthepastliquid.

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Bottle#6061–24ozwidemouth(hasGazelleSportsprintedonit)Durability:‐Ididn’tdropmybottlebecauseIknowyouguysaren’tgoingtousethissize,andIlikethiswaterbottletoomuchtodeformit(eveninthenameofscience!).ButI’vehadnoproblemswithit;itseemsquitedurableaslongasyou’renotdroppingitforscience.‐Thepictureonthebottleisneat.It’saGazelleSportslogo,anddoesn’tscratchoffatall.Design:‐Overalldesignisperfectforme.IdrinkalotofwatersoIlikethe24ozbottlesize.Itwouldfitgreatinmywaterbottleholderonmybike,butit’smetalsoitmakesalotofnoisewhenIride.‐Themouthisbiggerthanmylastmetalwaterbottle,andittooksomegettingusedto,butIreallylikeitnow.Youcanactuallyfiticecubesinit,andit’seasiertodrinkoutof.‐TherewasanodorinthebottlewhenIfirstgotit,butIwasheditoutwithsoapandthatwentaway,sonoproblem.Nofunnytastes,andImakesuretodryitouteverynightsoitdoesn’tgetmoldyorsomething.‐Idon’tseemtohaveasmuchofaproblemwiththebottlesweatingasIhadwithpreviouswaterbottles.Definitelyaplus.FunctionalityofLid:‐ThelidworksalotbetterthanIexpected.Thethreadpatternisshort–onlyoneortwoturnstotighten–butitholdsreallywellandhasn’tleakedatall.Thereisagasketbetweenthelidandbottlewhichhelpssealit.Thehandleontopiswellsizedandsturdy.

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AppendixV:CampusDrinkingFountainEvaluationsLocation Temperature Taste Cleanliness Working

conditionsRood Cool Metal Good Inconsistentbuttons

Rood Cool Metal Good

Watersplatters,buttondifficulttopush

Rood Warm Metal Good/Old Flowofwatergood

Rood Cool Metal BrownSpotting

Waterflowpoor,notenoughtofillwaterbottle.Buttondifficulttopush

Rood Cool Metal StainlessSteeltarnished Flowispoor

Rood Cool Metal Good Flowispoor

Rood Cool Metal Good

Flowispoor,hardtomaintainwaterpressure

Rood Warm Metal GoodFlowisadequatetofillbottle

LeeHonorsCollege Cool Metal

Good.Plasticspoutskeepscorodedresiduetoaminimum Good

Chemistry Cool Metal SpoutdirtyFlowisadequatetofillbottle

Chemistry Cool Metal Spoutdirty.DraindirtyFlowisadequatetofillbottle

Chemistry Cool Metal GoodFlowistoofarandspillsontothefloor

Chemistry Cool Metal GoodFlowistoofarandspillsontothefloor

Chemistry Cool Metal GoodFlowistoofarandspillsontothefloor

Chemistry Cool Metal GoodFlowistoofarandspillsontothefloor

Knaus Cool Metal Dirty/Old.Splatterswatereverywhere.

Knaus Warm Metal Dirty/Old Flowispoor/short

Knaus Cool Metal Good/Old FlowisadequateDunbar Cool Metal Good Flowisadequate

Dunbar Cool Metal Good Flowisadequate

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Dunbar Cool Metal GoodSplatterwaterandfacegetswet

Dunbar Cool Metal Spoutdirty.Draindirty Flowispoor

Dunbar Cool Metal GoodFlowispoorandinconsistent

Dunbar Cool Metal Spoutdirty GoodDunbar Cool Metal Good Good

Dunbar Cool Metal GoodSplatterswatereverywhere.

Dunbar Cool Metal Good

Splatterswatereverywhere.Pushbuttonisdifficult

Dunbar Cool Metal GoodSplatterswatereverywhere.

AppendixVI:ThomasReich’sTestingofWaterFountains

Building Flouride (ppm)

Chloride (ppm)

Nitrate (ppm)

Phosphate (ppm)

Sulfate (ppm)

Cd (ppb)

Fe (ppb)

Ni (ppb)

Pb (ppb)

Chem 0.9774 52.08 0 0 34 3.278 208 1.863 32.32 Hadley Rm 316 0.8884 78.995 0 0.735 37.17 3.337 66.26 6.277 41.82 Fountain in Haenicki 0.9659 68.82 0 0 36.53 3.346 138.7 4.161 26.71

Rood Hall 0.9328 77.9 0 0.6961 37.63 3.119 225.3 1.98 31.8

Sangran 0.941 80.71 0 0 37.14 3.274 163 1 31.31

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AppendixVII:CostComparisonofFiltrationMachinesElkayEZH2O:ProductFeatures:

• attachestomost115V/60HzEZpushbaractivatedfountains• sanitary,no‐touch,sensoractivationwithautomatic30secondshutofftimer.• 3,000gallonfilter• silverionanti‐microbialprotection• quickfill• minimalsplash• realdrainsystemeliminatesstandingwater• visualinterfacedisplayincludes:1)Filtermonitorindicatingwhenreplacementis

necessary.2)Greentickercountingthequantityof16oz.bottlessavedfromthelandfillfornon‐refrigeratedunitsand12oz.bottlesforrefrigeratedunits.

• estimatedsinglefilterreplacement:$103EstimatedCost:$1,631.19Canney’sAquabar:GeneralSpecificationsw/EverpureFiltration:

• freestandingunit• 3temperatures• 5yearlimitedwarranty• 3/8”waterline• 120VACconnectionforchiller• filterchangedevery1,000gallon• 6monthspreventativemaintenanceschedule• 80$perfilter• Taste,odorandchlorinereduction• 99.2%reductionofparticles0.5andlarger

CostEquipment $788Delivery/Setup $125Shipping $120Filters/Labor $810Total $1,843

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Gordon’sOasis:Availablewithdrinkingfountainandbottlefiller,orstandalonebottlefiller

• Recessedwallmountedunit• Stainlesssteel• Optionalultravioletlight• Optionalgreenfilter• 8or12gallon/hourcapacity• Highinstallationcost• Replacefilterevery1,000gallons($120‐$140/filter)CostBottlefiller $2,000‐$2,800Bottlefiller&fountain $4,000‐$4,400