scholarly journals Stop Piling on: Assessing Efforts to Reduce Single-Use Water Bottles at Allegheny College

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (16) ◽  
pp. 8864
Author(s):  
Matthew Bethurem ◽  
Beth Choate ◽  
Stephanie Bramwell
Keyword(s):  
Free Water ◽  
College Campuses ◽  
Bottled Water ◽  
Water Bottle ◽  
Student Body ◽  
Awareness Campaign ◽  
Valuable Lesson ◽  
Single Use ◽  
Place Of Origin ◽  
Modern Era

Plastic waste represents one of the largest environmental problems of the modern era and disposable water bottles comprise a substantial portion of that waste in the U.S. Colleges are in a unique position to create systems that foster sustainable behaviors among their constituents. Since 2015, Allegheny College has installed water refill stations, and initiated a free water bottle program and an awareness campaign to reduce single-use bottles on the college’s campus. Two surveys were distributed to the student body between 2018 and 2019 to assess the efficacy of those initiatives and learn about any barriers. Bottled water use has reduced significantly since 2014, with the majority of students stating that they most commonly drink water from refill stations while on campus. Demographic factors like income, sex, or place of origin were not related to the amount of bottled water consumption or type of water preference among students. The primary barrier to students eliminating disposable water bottle use was found to be a lack of water refill stations in dormitories. Research aimed at changing behaviors to benefit the environment should consider the barrier of convenience. This research provides a valuable lesson that can extend beyond college campuses and into public settings.

scholarly journals Social Comparison Information Influences Intentions to Reduce Single-Use Plastic Water Bottle Consumption

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn Bruchmann ◽  
Sarah M. Chue ◽  
Keelin Dillon ◽  
Jaime K. Lucas ◽  
Kayla Neumann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Behavior Change ◽  
Social Comparison ◽  
College Campuses ◽  
Water Bottle ◽  
False Feedback ◽  
Campus Environment ◽  
Single Use ◽  
Motivate Behavior ◽  
Relative Standing ◽  
Comparison Information

Single-use plastic consumption is at an all-time high and threatens environmental and human health. College campuses in particular serve as a hub for single-use plastics due to their convenience for students on the go. The present research tests whether social comparison information can influence self-perceptions of single-use plastic consumption and motivate behavior change within the college campus environment. In a controlled experiment, we measured college students' existing plastic water bottle usage and gave them false feedback about their behaviors and relative standing to their classmates: participants in comparison conditions learned they were either above or below average in their plastic water bottle sustainability behaviors. Results indicated that (relative to a no-comparison control), being above average at water bottle sustainability led students to be more satisfied with their sustainability efforts. However, either kind of comparison information (i.e., being above or below average) led to greater behavioral intentions to reduce single-use plastic water bottle consumption in the future. This study highlights how comparison information can be used to motivate sustainable behavior change with regards to single-use plastics.

scholarly journals Bacteria serve up a tasty solution to the global plastic problem

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanna C. Sadler ◽  
Stephen Wallace ◽  
Marie-Anne Robertson
Keyword(s):  
Everyday Life ◽  
Natural World ◽  
Water Bottle ◽  
Metabolic Power ◽  
Mount Everest ◽  
Global Challenges ◽  
The World ◽  
Single Use ◽  
Main Component ◽  
Insatiable Appetite

Rattling around on a cold, damp Edinburgh street, a plastic water bottle is a stark reminder of one of the greatest environmental crises facing our planet. In little under 100 years a growing tsunami of plastic waste has contaminated not just our streets but nearly every corner of the natural world – from Mount Everest to the deepest oceans. But this plastic bottle provided the inspiration that could yet turn the tide. Diverted from landfill to the laboratory the bottle soon grabbed the attention of the world’s media by undergoing a remarkable transformation from plastic into vanillin – the main component of vanilla and one of the most in-demand spices in the world. This seemingly impossible act of alchemy was made possible by harnessing the metabolic power of bacteria. Its success has enormous implications. Not only could it meet our insatiable appetite for this rare flavouring, but it could radically change the way we tackle another addiction – the endless stream of single-use and disposable plastics that have become part of everyday life. Yet this only scratches the surface of the potential of this approach. By coaxing microbes to behave as eco-friendly factories that produce useful materials, we could tackle many other global challenges.

Private Restroom Graffiti: An Analysis of Controversial Social Issues on Two College Campuses

1997 ◽  
Vol 81 (3) ◽  
pp. 1067-1074 ◽  
Author(s):  
George E. Schreer ◽  
Jeremy M. Strichartz
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Social Issues ◽  
Residence Halls ◽  
College Campuses ◽  
Student Body ◽  
Upstate New York ◽  
Diverse Student Body ◽  
Diverse Student ◽  
Chi Squared ◽  
The University

We collected 428 pieces of graffiti from men's and women's restrooms on two American campuses (one college and one university) in a small town in upstate, New York. The graffiti were coded by sex, institution, and type of building, and then sorted into 19 content categories. Chi-squared analyses indicated that compared to women's restrooms, men's restroom graffiti contained significantly more insulting (especially antigay) and scatological references but not more sexual graffiti. Women's restrooms had more political graffiti than men's, but contrary to previous research, very few romantic inscriptions. The university sample from a more diverse student body than that of the college, contained more racist and political graffiti. Compared to residence halls, libraries across both college campuses contained more inflammatory graffiti. Based on these findings, private restroom graffiti appear to provide a useful and unobtrusive method for investigating controversial and sensitive social issues.

scholarly journals Diversity as an Orientalist Discourse

2007 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-57
Author(s):  
Mariela Nuñez-Janes
Keyword(s):  
Civil Rights ◽  
College Campuses ◽  
Educational Institutions ◽  
Student Body ◽  
Administrative Positions ◽  
University Of Wisconsin ◽  
Diverse Student Body ◽  
Diverse Student ◽  
The Face ◽  
The University

The goal of promoting diversity is deep-rooted in the post-civil rights activities of U.S. educational institutions. Universities across the country attempt to foster diversity by seeking a diverse student body, creating initiatives that promote diversity, institutionalizing committees and administrative positions with the sole purpose of overseeing diversity, and implementing curricular strategies to support academic diversity. The pursuit of diversity is so integral to the survival and attractiveness of college campuses that some universities even lie in order to appear diverse to potential students and public supporters. Such was the case of the University of Wisconsin, Madison whose officials digitally inserted the face of a black student into an image of white football fans in order to portray a diverse picture of the university's student body. Etemonstrating that diversity is valued is a staple of any academically competitive US university.

scholarly journals The Success of Water Refill Stations Reducing Single-Use Plastic Bottle Litter

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (19) ◽  
pp. 5232
Author(s):  
Kathryn Willis ◽  
Chris Wilcox ◽  
Joanna Vince ◽  
Britta Denise Hardesty
Keyword(s):  
Behavioural Change ◽  
Bottled Water ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
Change Strategies ◽  
Water Production ◽  
Plastic Bottle ◽  
Beverage Industry ◽  
Single Use ◽  
Subsequent Loss ◽  
Harmful Effects

Bottled water is one sector of the beverage industry that has recently experienced substantial growth. The littering of plastic water bottles and the carbon emissions produced from bottled water production results in harmful effects on the environment. To reduce the harm of bottled water production and litter, government and non-government organisations have implemented litter abatement and behavioural change strategies targeting bottled water consumption and subsequent loss of bottles to the environment. Our study evaluated the success of one of these strategies, which is a filtered water refill station, implemented along the Brisbane River in Queensland, Australia. We found plastic bottle litter decreased after a water refill station was put into operation. However, given the location of the refill station, we suggest the behavioural change strategy employed did not reach its full potential. We highlight factors that could be employed to achieve maximum benefits when implementing similar behavioural change strategies.

Campus bottled water bans, not always the solution

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (5) ◽  
pp. 987-997 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beth Choate ◽  
Brittany Y. Davis ◽  
Jacqueline Verrecchia
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Science ◽  
Tap Water ◽  
Bottled Water ◽  
First Year ◽  
Student Body ◽  
First Year Students ◽  
Content Type ◽  
University Campuses ◽  
College And University ◽  
Negative Perceptions

Purpose The purpose of this study was to identify how to reduce bottled water use on our campus, given that the majority of students were bringing it onto campus from outside sources. Bottled water bans have been implemented on several college and university campuses in an effort to reduce the consumption of bottled water and the associated waste. Observations on the campus of Allegheny College demonstrated that while bottled water was being consumed, students were not purchasing those bottles on campus. Design/methodology/approach To identify methods to reduce bottled water prevalence on campus, alter negative perceptions of local tap water and create behavioral changes among student, an environmental science class surveyed the student body. Students were asked about their preferred type of drinking water and why they preferred one type to another, as well as additional questions about reusable bottle ownership and usage. Findings The data identified that disposable bottled water was most commonly consumed by first year students, with rates of use decreasing the longer students are on campus. Many students were concerned about the safety of tap water and did not like the taste. Originality/value As a result of this survey, Allegheny College has increased the number of filtered, bottle refill stations throughout campus and provides a high-quality, metal water bottle to all students upon beginning their first year. Students are also provided information about the safety of Meadville tap water, as well as the environmental and social benefits of choosing tap water over bottled water.

Best Practices for Motivating and Supporting Learning for Adult and Non-Traditional Learners

2021 ◽  
pp. 128-141
Author(s):  
Charity L. B. Jennings
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
College Students ◽  
Educational Programs ◽  
College Campuses ◽  
Growth Mindset ◽  
Self Directed Learning ◽  
Student Body ◽  
Directed Learning ◽  
The Right ◽  
Educational Journeys

Higher education institutions have witnessed an increase in the share of adult and non-traditional learners that make up their student bodies. With this increase in the representation of adults and non-traditional learners on college campuses comes a need to understand the unique needs that adult and non-traditional college students have when motivating them for success and providing the right learning supports. This starts with promoting a sense of belonging, so students recognize they are a valued part of the student body. Educational programs should include attention to the affective and conative domains of learning, empowering students to take responsibility for their educational journeys, promoting a growth mindset, activating learners' intrinsic motivations, creating opportunities for self-directed learning, and designing courses with supportive structures and resources.

Multicultural Advising

2020 ◽  
pp. 127-141
Author(s):  
Chloe Robinson ◽  
Tomicka N. Williams
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Academic Advising ◽  
Cultural Landscape ◽  
College Campuses ◽  
Higher Learning ◽  
Student Body ◽  
Institutions Of Higher Learning ◽  
Diverse Student Body ◽  
Diverse Student ◽  
Core Components

Since the cultural landscape of most higher education institutions is changing, it is paramount that colleges and universities make a concerted effort to connect with students from various backgrounds. The academic advising department could be the catalyst for change for many institutions of higher learning when seeking to support a diverse student body. Despite an increase in enrollment of students from various backgrounds on many college campuses, various challenges remain when attempting to advise and mentor diverse student populations. This chapter will examine some of the demographical changes taking place on college campuses across the U.S., the importance of multicultural advising and core components of this approach. Finally, the ways in which multicultural advising can be implemented within higher education will be examined.

Existentialism at Home, Determinism Abroad: A Small-Town Mexican American Kid Goes Global

2009 ◽  
Vol 79 (4) ◽  
pp. 586-594
Author(s):  
Joe Robert González
Keyword(s):  
Mexican American ◽  
College Campuses ◽  
Student Body ◽  
Safe Spaces ◽  
Cultural Organizations ◽  
Mexican American Youth ◽  
University Settings ◽  
Different Cultures ◽  
Villanova University ◽  
Limited Scope

In this essay, Joe Robert González describes the process of his own growth as a Mexican American from Brownsville, Texas, who attended Villanova University. Coming from a majority-minority town, González identifies the importance of safe spaces for Mexican American youth, many of whom doubt their own potential to thrive within university settings. He laments the current push for cultural organizations on college campuses to educate the broader student body as well as the general inefficacy of these organizations due to the limited scope of their mission. At the same time, González celebrates the opportunities that his university gave him to interact with people from a variety of different cultures who hold different opinions about the world. Thinking about his friends from home, he laments the way that homogeneous experiences can nurture stereotypes and fear. González concludes by suggesting that college campuses must provide students with both safe spaces and opportunities for growth.

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