Plastic Water Bottles

Summary

A request was made to the Department of Education, Sport and Culture regarding single-use plastic policies and water bottle usage across five secondary schools. The authority disclosed that no specific departmental policy exists but provided detailed statistics on bottle sales, tap water availability, drinking fountain counts, and reusable bottle promotion for each school.

Key Facts

• The Department does not have a separate single-use plastics policy but follows the Isle of Man Government's reduction plan.
• Ballakermeen High School sells approximately 3,400 plastic water bottles per week.
• Queen Elizabeth II High School currently has zero drinking fountains but plans to install one in the sports area.
• Ramsey Grammar School does not promote reusable water bottles due to a lack of suitable refilling points.
• All five secondary schools surveyed have tap water available in their canteens.

Data Disclosed

• 3400
• 1200
• 850
• 2220
• 700
• 9
• 6
• 0
• 8
• 13
• 2018-11-27
• 2018-12-19
• 2018-12-21
• 30/11/18
• 662466

Original Request

What is the Department's policy on single use plastics? For each secondary school, please provide the following information: - How many plastic water bottles are sold to pupils in a typical week? - Is tap water available in the canteen? - How many drinking fountains are available in the school? - Does the school promote the use of reusable water bottles?

Data Tables (4)

Full Response Text

Corporate Services Division Department of Education, Sport and Culture Hamilton House Peel Road, Douglas IM1 5EZ Telephone: (01624) 685808 Website: www.gov.im/dec Email: dec@foi.gov.im Our ref: 662466 19 December 2018

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on 27 November 2018 and which states:

"What is the Department's policy on single use plastics? For each secondary school, please provide the following information: - How many plastic water bottles are sold to pupils in a typical week? - Is tap water available in the canteen? - How many drinking fountains are available in the school? - Does the school promote the use of reusable water bottles?"

Our response to your request is as follows: What is the Department's policy on single use plastics? The Department does not have a separate single use plastics policy but is committed to and is using the singles use plastics reduction plan for the Isle of Man Government as guidance. By way of advice and assistance this can be found using the following web link: https://www.gov.im/media/1362336/isle-of-man-governments-single-use-plastics- reduction-plan.pdf How many plastic water bottles are sold to pupils in a typical week? Secondary School Answer (Circa) Notes Ballakermeen High School 3400 This is an average of 2 bottles per pupil Castle Rushen High School 1200 Queen Elizabeth II High School 850 Ramsey Grammar School 2220 Predominantly flavoured and different sizes St Ninian’s High School 700 Based on sales from w/e 30/11/18

Is tap water available in the canteen? Secondary School Answer Notes Ballakermeen High School Yes 2 water fountains and jugs of water Castle Rushen High School Yes Queen Elizabeth II High School Yes Available before school, breaks & lunch Ramsey Grammar School Yes Always available in dining rooms St Ninian’s High School Yes Water fountains available in canteens How many drinking fountains are available in the school? Secondary School Answer Notes Ballakermeen High School 9 Castle Rushen High School 6 A 7th is being commissioned Queen Elizabeth II High School 0 Plan to install one in sports area Ramsey Grammar School 8 St Ninian’s High School 13 Does the school promote the use of reusable water bottles? Secondary School Answer Notes Ballakermeen High School Yes Currently looking at a branded reusable bottle as an option Castle Rushen High School Yes Queen Elizabeth II High School Yes Reusable bottles are provided to students taking parts in sporting fixtures, activities, trips, etc. Ramsey Grammar School No Due to the small number of suitable re- filling points St Ninian’s High School Yes Promotion takes place each academic year Please quote the reference number 662466 in any future communications.

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Freedom of Information Coordinator