Anthony F. King, Zackary Bjerregaard, Matthew Booth, Shannon Clugston, Miles Dittmore, Stephen
Fossett, Dusty Pilkington, and Pieter Sawatzki, Weber State University
Social and Behavioral Sciences
In the fall semester of 2013, a sociology class on water conducted a study to address the research question, how prevalent is the consumption of bottled water on campus, and what are the positive and negative consequences of that consumption? This exploratory study sought to better understand the prevalence of bottled water consumption by students, faculty, and staff at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah, and the positive and negative consequences of the consumption. In this multi-method study, we conducted an online survey, receiving completed questionnaires from 711 students, faculty, and staff throughout the university. Additionally, we gathered bottled water sales data from campus stores and vending machines, participated in a trash audit, and researched the disposal of the plastic bottles at Weber State University. We also investigated the brands consumed on campus, examined the original source of the water, how it was purified, as well as the location of bottling plants to determine their environmental footprint (carbon footprint). Using Gleick and Cooley’s (2009) models, which determined the amount of energy used to produce bottled water, including the transportation of, we were able to determine the carbon footprint of transporting bottled water from the source locations to Weber State University. There is evidence of some economic benefit to the university from bottled water sales, but this study was unable to discover the amount. From the trash audit, we saw more water bottles being thrown in the trash than being recycled. Our survey revealed twice as many of our respondents preferred tap water over bottled water. While bottled water users cited convenience, taste, and safety/cleanliness as the top three reasons for their choice, tap water users cited cost, convenience, and taste. In the analysis of the bottled water environmental footprint, our data showed there is a significant amount of carbon dioxide from the transportation of bottled water alone that contributes to Weber State University’s overall carbon footprint. Our findings indicate there are more negative consequences from bottled water consumption (particularly the environmental footprint) than positive ones. These findings are similar to those from previous research. This study helps Weber State University understand the impacts bottled water use has on its goal of reducing its carbon footprint by 2050.