Brita, a water filtration brand, is joining UC Berkeley in a combined effort to increase campus sustainability efforts while offering students and the broader campus community healthier beverage choices.
The 10 year, $4 million partnership will focus on championing and extending the campus’ innovative “Refills not Landfills” program. The program, launched as part of the University of California system’s plan to achieve zero waste by 2020, is an effort to encourage students and the campus community to drink from reusable containers.
The partnership is a first of its kind for Brita. Brita has previously been involved in promoting sustainability on campuses through a partnership with the nonprofit REVERB and its Campus Consciousness Tour, but this relationship marks the first time Brita has worked with a specific university on a sustainability and student health program. Additionally, this is the fourth campus-wide partnership through UC Berkeley’s University Partnership Program (UPP), which works collectively across the university to develop comprehensive relationships that align with university’s mission and values.
Brita will provide the campus with complimentary Brita products such as reusable bottles, as well as significant sponsorship to campus groups that support campus sustainability goals and champion healthy living. Brita products will also be sold at a variety of campus outlets.
The partnership kicked off with the 2016-2017 academic year. Details of the partnership include:
•Brita product donations to campus every year, including distribution of Brita products in every university owned residence hall.
•Support of the Refills not Landfills program.
•Replacement of outdated water refill stations, as well as installation of new stations in high-need, high-traffic campus buildings.
•Brita products sold at the ASUC Student Union, Cal Dining locations, Recreation Center and other locations.
•Establishment of an on-campus Brita filter-recycling program with Cal Zero Waste.
Published in the November 2016 Edition of American Recycler News