| Topic: | University Grounds and Physical Facilities |
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| Approval Date: | August 13, 2024 |
| Effective Date: | September 1, 2015 |
| Last Revised: | August 13, 2014 |
Procedures adopted pursuant to York University’s Policy on Sustainability.
1. Preamble
Water is a critical resource for all life on earth. Humans need it for drinking and sanitation, our environment depends on it for survival, and our economy relies on it for manufacturing, processing and transportation. Yet, water resources are under pressure from our changing climate, contamination, and demands from agriculture and industry. Access to clean water for drinking and sanitation is widely recognized as a basic human right and should be protected as common resource we all share.
York University’s Policy on Sustainability describes the University’s responsibility for, and commitment to sustainability, and provides the framework for ongoing implementation of the policy.
York University made a public commitment in April 2012 to phase out the sale of single-use bottled water on its campuses by September 2015 and to improve free access to clean drinking water. By eliminating the sale of single-use bottled water on its campuses, York joined a growing number of Canadian and international postsecondary institutions, school boards, cities, and other organizations in supporting the human right to water.
2. Scope and Application
2.1 These procedures apply to:
i. all points of sale on campuses, including food trucks, third-party vendors, and vending machines;
ii. all University hosted or sponsored events, including off campus where/when possible; and
iii. all purchases made with university funds, including off campus where/when possible.
2.2 These procedures do not apply to:
i. Single-Use Bottled Water stored for and distributed by the University during a campus emergency;
ii. Single-Use Bottled Water supplied for guests in the hotel rooms of the Schulich Executive Learning Centre; and
iii. Single-Use Bottled Water supplied or purchased at satellite campuses or events, where clean drinking water is not readily available.
3. Definitions
Single-Use Bottled Water: non-carbonated, unflavoured water that is sold, purchased, or distributed within a single-use container (e.g. a plastic or glass bottle, box, etc.), that is less than or equal to 2 liters in capacity.
4. Procedures
4.1 The sale and distribution of Single-Use Bottled Water is prohibited on York University campuses.
4.2 The University will incorporate these procedures into:
a. construction standards applicable to new buildings and major building renovations to ensure they include water refill stations; and
b. contractual arrangements applicable to the sale of Single-Use Bottled Water.
4.3 The University shall prohibit the advertising of Single-Use Bottled Water products on its campuses.
5. Review
The Vice-President, Finance and Administration shall review these procedures every five years at a minimum.
| Legislative History: | Approved by the Vice-President Finance and Administration 2015/08/31; Effective 2015/09/01; Renewed by the Vice-President Finance and Administration 2024/08/13 |
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| Date of Next Review: | April 1, 2029 |
| Related Policies, Procedures and Guidelines: |