Quench your thirst at the source
Student and staff demand is what led Polytechnique Montréal and UdeM to decide to cease distribution of single-use bottled water and to promote the Ville de Montréal's high-quality tap water. Water is a vital natural resource and for a number of years the use of plastic bottles has made its consumption very popular. But this way of consuming drinking water has negative environmental impacts linked not only to the amount of waste it generates, but also to the production and transportation of plastic containers.

Students, professors and staff are now encouraged to drink fountain water. Arrow-shaped stickers will direct drinkers to the nearest fountains. As well, community members are encouraged to use pitchers and reusable water bottles at all activities, such as meetings and catered events. Exceptions will be made for major activities and sporting events.

Go Blue: collective mobilization
Go Blue kicked off over a year ago now. A major project to repair and install water fountains, and to add gooseneck spouts, was undertaken in July 2012 at UdeM with a view to the removal of bottled water. As well, the “Got Your Bottle?” campaign, launched last March, aimed to raise the community's awareness about using reusable water bottles and to promote the consumption of tap water.

By removing bottled water from the various points of sale on campus, UdeM and Polytechnique Montréal aim to reduce their ecological footprint and to make a concrete gesture to reaffirm their commitment to sustainable development. Other innovative projects will be added to Go Blue in the future, which will help further reduce the consumption of single-use containers.

Learn more about Go Blue (in French only):

Ma santé au sommet
Sustainable development at UdeM
Sustainable development at Polytechnique