WHEREAS, According to the United States National Institutes of Health, nanoplastics are invisible to the naked eye and can enter the body’s cells and tissues, with previous research finding plastic particles in human blood and organs, not limited to the lungs, gut, and reproductive tissues [1], with research by Columbia University and Rutgers University uncovering a massive 240,000 plastic particles, including 216,000 nanoplastics, in a typical bottle of water [2];
WHEREAS, In California, approximately 12 billion plastic water bottles are sold annually, with more than 3 billion of these bottles failing to be recycled [3], and as a result, they accumulate in landfills, pollute California’s oceans, and persist for nearly five centuries, impacting generations to come [4]; and, as a coastal state, California bears the brunt of the catastrophic impact of plastic pollution, with an estimated 11 million tons of plastic waste entering the ocean annually, and this alarming volume of waste has forced California communities to spend a staggering $428 million in efforts to address and mitigate the environmental damage [5];
WHEREAS, The California Community Colleges system has made an unequivocal commitment to advance Climate Action and Sustainability initiatives, including the imperative goal of “diverting 75% of campus waste from landfills” by 2030 and significantly enhancing the attainment “of sustainable products and services by 50%” by 2035 [6]; and
WHEREAS, The installation of refillable water bottle stations represents a timely and transformative solution, providing students with ready access to clean, potable water while significantly reducing dependence on single-use plastic, with research from the University of Chicago revealing that, within a mere two weeks, 102 water bottle refilling stations successfully prevented the consumption of an impressive 177,480 plastic bottles [7], emphasizing a compelling and vital opportunity for California Community Colleges to take decisive and strategic action to advance their sustainability goals; Now, therefore, let it be
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges urge the Chancellor's Office to champion the adoption of statewide legislation mandating the installation, or retrofitting, of at least one water bottle refilling station in every newly constructed or renovated building on California Community College campuses;
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges strongly implore the Chancellor’s Office to forge a strategic collaboration with California Community College Districts receiving local and state bond funding, advocating for the allocation of a designated portion of these funds towards the installation of new water bottle refilling stations and/or the conversion of existing water fountains into refilling stations; and
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges, in partnership with the Chancellor's Office, to urge districts to commit to ensuring by 2035, every California community college campus is equipped to with at least one water bottle refilling station in key areas—gymnasiums, dining facilities, and student lounges—guaranteeing equitable and practical access for all students.
Citations:
[1] Plastic Particles in Bottled Water
[2] Researchers Find A Massive Number of Plastic Particles in Bottled Water
[3] California Passes First-In-Nation Plastic Recycling Law
[4] How Long Does It Take Garbage to Decompose?