| Overall Rating | Platinum - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 88.31 |
| Liaison | James Gordon |
| Submission Date | May 31, 2018 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Thompson Rivers University
IN-25: Innovation B
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 1.00 |
James
Gordon Environmental Programs and Research Coordinator TRU Office of Environment and Sustainability |
Name or title of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
A brief description of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome that outlines how credit criteria are met and any positive measurable outcomes associated with the innovation:
The TRU Sustainability Office has conducted The Tap Water Challenge for students during the last 4 years. It is an initiative that is designed to raise awareness of the benefits of drinking local Kamloops tap water instead of buying bottled water. The benefits include less waste of plastic bottles; less energy used (in the production, transport, refrigeration and warehousing of bottled water); saving money (tap waste is virtually free for students); and greater convenience, since there are taps and water bottle refill stations throughout campus. In the challenge, students do a blind taste test comparing a cup of tap water and a cup of one of several leading brands of bottled water. They answer two questions after tasting each one: which one tastes better, and which one they think is tap water. Regardless of their answers, they receive a free quality stainless steel water bottle that they can use at the many water bottle refill stations or taps around campus .
In 2014, 70% of respondents preferred the taste of tap water, and 63% correctly identified it as tap water.
Which of the following impact areas does the innovation most closely relate to? (select up to three):
Waste
Water
A letter of affirmation from an individual with relevant expertise or a press release or publication featuring the innovation :
The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.