By: Alexis Losse ’16
Next year, Seattle Prep is going to be plastic water bottle free. The Panther interviewed Daniel Gallindo-Navarro and Ellie Andrews, members of the Green Team, to give us some information about this new change for the school.
AL: Can you give me a description of what’s going to be happening next year with the water bottles?
We’re trying to ban plastic water bottles from the cafeteria caterer because of their detrimental impact on the environment. There will be three additional water fountains, like the one in the gym lobby, in the new building to promote usage of refillable water bottles.
AL: When was this decided?
We started the process of banning water bottles last year, but we need to follow through again since there’s a new catering company.
AL: What are you going to replace them with?
We want to have a reusable water bottle initiative, to promote reusable water bottles. We had the idea to possibly give water bottles to next year’s incoming freshmen with their t-shirts that they get upon acceptance to Prep.
AL: How are you going to follow through with this?
By negotiating with the new catering company. We will sign a petition if we have to.
AL: How do you expect the Prep students will react?
We hope that they will react positively because it’s better for both the students and Mother Nature. Prep students are generally very open and will be able to adapt, especially for a good cause.
AL: What is the school’s main reason for banning plastic water bottles?
Part of the Jesuit ideology is promoting stewardship for God’s creation, which includes striving for a more environmentally friendly and sustainable world.
AL: How will banning plastic water bottles benefit the environment?
Plastic water bottles are wasteful, and millions of recyclable bottles each year get down cycled and clumped into waste fills. Not to mention, many people don’t recycle them to begin with. The energy it takes to generate plastic bottles is also enormous and takes thousands of gallons of oil.
AL: Is there anything else that you’d like to comment on the project?
In the meantime, Prep students, use reusable water bottles!
The Global Justice Coalition is holding an anti-plastic water bottle campaign where they ask students to make a poster that’s advocating for reusable water bottles. Their reasoning for this contest is to not just start using reusable bottles next year, but get a jump start and start being more eco-friendly this year. If you’d like to see the guidelines for this project, go to the Community Ministry office and get the guidelines from Mr. Lester. This contest ends on November 26th, the day before Thanksgiving break. Turn your entry in to Mr. Lester on or before this date. As an extra incentive, any sophomore that sends in an entry for this will receive one hour of service, just for participating in the contest. The winners of this will get prizes and this is open to all classes.
