Plastic mineral water ban left UIA students thirsty
Sometimes going green might not be the most practical option…
Recently the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) or UIA as the cool kids call it, introduced the ‘Zero Single-Use Plastic Campaign’.
Its aim is to get the community to stop using single-use plastic materials like; straws, cutlery, bottles, the works…
Sounds like a great idea right? Well, apparently not…
It seems like the university’s efforts to save the planet came at the expense of its students’ convenience and well being.
UIA apparently also banned the sale of mineral water (the plastic bottle kind) within campus.
Students and netizens took to social media to voice out their opinions on the ‘plastic mineral water ban’.
Salam Dr @maszlee, sy Maisarah pelajar tahun keempat jurusan perakaunan dari UIA Gombak.UIA baru baru ni menghentikan penjualan air mineral di sekitar UIA tanpa menyediakan water dispenser yg secukupnya.Pelajar sgat terbeban dgn tindakan terburu buru ni apatah di musim jerebu ini
— Mai (@MaisarahMahmud) September 11, 2019
“UIA recently stopped the sale of mineral water around campus without providing enough water dispensers. Students are burdened with this brisk move, especially considering its haze season…”
via Twitter
IIUM banning mineral water just in time for the haze season, what luck.
— hedi (@HadiUnity) September 11, 2019
If you’re dating an IIUM/UIA student, you are single to me.
What he’s gonna do? Nothing.
Because he ain’t gonna survive this hazy weather while IIUM is still banning the access of clean drinking water in the campus 😤😤— Fakrum (@YuFakhrulLah) September 10, 2019
Comments also claimed that the university lacks the amenities, mainly water dispenser machines, to provide students with an adequate supply of fresh, drinkable water.
IIUM , tahuuu tgh ban air mineral skrg ni tp tolong ah provide bnyk sikit water cooler dll tuu 😊 jenuh aku nk masak air dgn water heater.. dh lah ngemis pinjam kwn punya 😢 hmm sis dh lama xminum air sejuk…….
— gulakapassssss🎈 (@nurezt1) September 11, 2019
“IIUM, I know that you’re banning mineral water but please provide more water cooler (machines). It’s hard having to beg around for a kettle to boil water. It’s been so long since I’ve had a cold drink.”
via Twitter
This is the consequences when you want to go environmental friendly without proper planning. Should have more water dispensers around the campus then progressively stop selling bottled mineral waters. Come on UIA, you dont aspect student to petition for more water dispenser?
— nab.abel.bell.lah (@bellnabilah) September 11, 2019
Supposedly, students had previously expressed opposition towards the ban to UIA’s Students’ Representative Council (SRC), but to no immediate effect.
Meanwhile, the SRC’s official Twitter page mentioned that efforts were being made to discuss with management in finding a solution to the dilemma.
UPDATE FROM MEETING WITH UMC MEMBER ON PLASTIC BOTTLED MINERAL WATER
السلام علیکم Ùˆ رØمة الله Ùˆ بركاته
Dear IIUM Community,
📍Few days ago (Wednesday, 4/9/2019), the Students’ Representative Council (SRC) managed to present a proposal on opposing the University’s policy on pic.twitter.com/lKNROUTLrw
— SRC IIUM Gombak (@iium_src) September 8, 2019
📍 As a result, they ask us to help them finding a better solution and present in the next UMC meeting on 18/9/2019
📍For the time being, we are trying to find a temporary solution for the students before the next UMC meeting.
— SRC IIUM Gombak (@iium_src) September 8, 2019
In the most recent update (during the time of writing), the ban has been temporarily lifted, allowing students to again purchase and drink bottled mineral water.
[PENJUALAN SEMENTARA AIR MINERAL BERBOTOL DI KAMPUS IIUM]
Jawantankuasa pengurusan universiti (UMC) UIAM telah bertemu dengan Majlis Perwakilan Pelajar(SRC) dan bersetuju dengan cadangan yang dikemukakan untuk membenarkan buat sementara waktu penjualan air mineral berbotol-
— Official IIUM (@OfficialIIUM) September 11, 2019
“UIAM’s university management committee (UMC) met with the Student Representative Council (SRC) and agreed to a proposal to allow for temporary sale of bottled mineral water…”
via Twitter
Looks like saving the planet isn’t gonna be THAT easy…
Hope the students at UIA won’t be left thirsty for too long!
