UniPadova water bottles distributed, for a Plastic Free University
On 30 October, delivery of UniPadova water bottles will begin to students who enrolled in the first year of a Bachelor or Master’s degree course in the 2019-2020 academic year,, recipients already identified last year but who were unable to receive them due to the Covid-19 emergency. In compliance with current regulations on Covid-19 containment, delivery to the Student Careers Office will take place subject to prior booking in accordance with time windows expiring in the coming months of 2020 and early 2021. (Useful information for collection).
The approximately 18,000 stainless steel flasks bearing the 24Bottles logo are the result of a production process with a very low environmental impact and are intended to encourage theuse of filtered water distributed through dispensers located inside the university buildings, with the aim of discouraging the use of plastic bottles and making Unipd a plastic-free university step by step. The choice of the type of bottle material was the most important criterion in awarding the race score. Preliminary studies were carried out on the characteristics of the type of container and the choice of material through laboratory analysis.
The initiative was made possible thanks to the generous support of the sponsoring companies Fischer and Solgar and the donation of Leo Pavan’s heirs. The Plastic Free project promoted by the University of Padua is a virtuous example of how to commit to minimising one’s own impact on the environment and natural resources,” says Stefano Marzolla, general manager of Fischer Italia. “Virtuous because it combines communication and awareness-raising actions in favour of a culture of sustainability with a practical and direct action that has an impact on students’ daily lives: eliminating disposable bottles and replacing them with multi-purpose flasks. And it is even more virtuous because actions represent the most effective communication. This is an approach we are also trying to take at fischer: we recently implemented a similar path, eliminating single-use plastic in the canteen and in our break areas. And it is with this spirit that we immediately and enthusiastically joined this commendable initiative of the University of Padua.”
Anna Giuliani, Giada Caudullo, president and vice-president, and Leopoldo and Michelangiolo Caudullo, managing directors of Solgar Italia Multinutrient S.p.A. say: “Solgar Italia Multinutrient, an affiliate of Solgar Industry, USA, known for the research and production of nutraceuticals and nutritional supplements, is pleased to support the initiative promoted by the University of Padua “plastic free UniPD”, with the aim of raising awareness among the University community, promoting the need to reduce plastic-based materials, with a view to ecological sustainability. The project, at a time of re-evaluation of people’s social behaviour, contributes to the protection of the environment, a value also shared by our company in promoting lifestyles and conditions of well-being for future generations. For the University of Padua, which is considered a scientific reference point at international level, handing over a water bottle to students, as a tool for daily use, is a useful message for building new awareness and ideas, for the professional growth of young people who are building the foundations for their careers and their personal lives”.
“We are proud to have contributed to the realisation of this valuable initiative in favour of the students, future Alumni and Alumnae of our University – says Andrea Vinelli, President of the Alumni Association -. A special thanks to the sponsoring companies and supporters who have been able to understand the value of the project and show their closeness to our Association and to the University of Padua”.
Part of the water bottles will be sold at the UNIPD Store in Palazzo Bo and online, at the special price of 15 euros. For Unipd students and staff, thanks to the additional 10% discount, the final cost is 13.50 euros.
The initiative is part of the actions of the UniPadova Sostenibile project, created in 2017 by the University of Padua to embrace the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda and promote internally, at all levels and in all contexts, the achievement of the sustainability objectives dictated by it, with a view to inclusion and enhancement of differences. In line with the actions envisaged by the University of Padua’s Charter of Sustainability Commitments, in 2019 the University of Padua approved the Plastic free UniPD project with which it aims to reduce the use of plastic in the University’s food and beverage distribution service.
