Student Action

Canada: University of Winnipeg believed first in Canada to ban sale of bottled water

Posted: March 23, 2009

Canadian Press.

WINNIPEG — The University of Winnipeg will become what is believed to be the first university in Canada to ban the sale of bottled water on campus.

The ban follows a referendum last week in which three-quarters of students who voted said they were in favour of ditching water sold in bottles.

University president Lloyd Axworthy says the ban is part of a growing awareness around the world about the importance of accessible water.

He says the university is happy to reduce needless plastics on campus.

More than 38,000 plastic water bottles have been sold on the downtown campus every year.

The ban will be phased in over the next few months.

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