Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 61.37
Liaison Suzanne Davis
Submission Date Oct. 26, 2020

STARS v2.2

University of Queensland
IN-48: Innovation B

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 0.50 / 0.50
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Name or title of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
UQ 'Drink Me' Water Refill Stations

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:
UQ is located in sunny Queensland, a northern state of Australia with the average temperature over summer ranging from 21oC to 30oC (70oF to 86oF) with humidity around 70%. Winter is mild ranging 11 to 21oC.

Staying hydrated is particularly important and water consumption can be particularly high. UQ has installed more than 60 free water refill stations and launched the 'Drink Me' program to encourage the use of reusable water bottles and reduce the purchase of once use disposable water bottles.

Over 50 of the water refill stations are located on the main campus at St Lucia, including across all sporting facilities, ovals and public walking tracks. Stations are also located at the Gatton campus and Herston campus as well as at Long Pocket, Heron Island Research Station (located within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park) and Moreton Bay Research Station.

The "Drink Me' water refill stations are all located outdoors and provide fresh, clean and free water refills and are PWD accessible (people with disabilities). Additional water bubblers are available within buildings.

The program aims to educate the community on the benefits of reusables and the environmental and financial costs of purchasing bottled water.

Each semester free reusable water bottles are available for existing students and particularly at orientation events for new and transferring students. They are also available at promotions throughout the year to encourage the use of reusabes and to stay hydrated.

Information and the location of the 'Drink Me' water refill stations can be found online
https://sustainability.uq.edu.au/projects/recycling-and-waste-minimisation/water-refill-stations

Information on the Real Cost of Bottled Water (environmental, health and financial) can be found online
https://sustainability.uq.edu.au/projects/recycling-and-waste-minimisation/real-cost-bottled-water

Optional Fields

A letter of affirmation from an individual with relevant expertise or a press release or publication featuring the innovation :
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The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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