Loyola University Bans Bottled Water Sales

A majority of Loyola University students have voted to phase out bottled water on its Chicago campuses following a yearlong educational campaign, UnCap Loyola. Led by the Student Environmental Alliance (SEA), in partnership with Loyola’s Unified Student Government Association (USGA), UnCap Loyola focused on campus concerns about local water privatization and fair access to water on a global level.

According to SEA and USGA joint representatives, “We consider the sale of bottled water on campus in conflict with the Jesuit tradition and Loyola’s mission to be in service of humanity through learning, justice and faith. We feel that safe and accessible water is a fundamental human right and must not be handled in ways that put profits over people.”

The Loyola administration has supported water conservation efforts on campus by distributing reusable bottles to students and guests, installing 35 bottle refill stations around the Lake Shore and Water Tower campuses and implementing water conservation projects in buildings and on the grounds of the university. The next step will be the removal of bottled water from dining service venues and catering, starting in fall 2012. Bottled water will be removed from vending contracts in 2013.

For more information, call Annie Hughes at 312-915-6324 or visit UncapLUC.org.