The University of the South Pacific (USP) Samoa Campus, Pure Pacific Water (PPW) and the
British High Commission held a handover ceremony on Tuesday to officially launched a
collaboration to provide free, cold, and filtered drinking water to students and faculty in an
initiative to reduce single use plastics on campus and in the local community.
PPW has installed 12 water stations, and the British High Commission has distributed 350
reuseable water bottles for students and faculty. The ‘Changing Mindsets: Removal of Single
Use Plastics” project encourages students to rethink how they and their family members can
make a positive environmental impact by reducing single-use plastics and raise awareness of
the environmental benefits of turning towards greener alternatives.
British High Commissioner Gareth Hoar said:
“The British High Commission is delighted to fund the provision of water stations and
reuseable bottles at USP. There are clear environmental benefits to be gained from reducing
the circulation of single use plastic bottles and it’s fantastic to see students’ enthusiasm and
support for the project. I encourage everyone at USP to continue to demonstrate their care for
the environment by taking full advantage of the water stations and using more climate-
friendly containers”.
Pure Pacific Water’s Director Mr. Lucky Seumanu stated, “I am very grateful to the British
High Commission for their support for this project and USP for embracing the opportunity to
have a positive environmental impact on providing drinking water for their students”.
The Vice Chancellor of the University of the South Pacific, Professor Pal Ahluwalia
acknowledged the importance of this project for students and faculties of the USP Samoa
Campus.