Date: April 30, 2024

To: Faculty and Staff in

From: Rhume Jay C. Labadan
Subject: The Analysis of Bottled Water vs. Water Vending Machines in NEMSU
Acknowledging the significant challenge posed by soaring heat indices, peaking at 40 degrees
Celsius during school hours, underscores the essential need to prioritize student hydration to
safeguard their health and well-being. In this context, the adoption of water vending machines
emerges as the preferred solution over bottled water, offering a more sustainable and accessible
means of hydration within our school premises. Below are the attributes of each option, aiming
to identify the most effective and ethically responsible approach to meeting the hydration needs
of our students amid challenging environmental circumstances.
Comparison of Bottled Water and Water Vending Machines in School

Bottled water Water Vending Machine

Accessibility Convenient as it’s readily
available for purchase from
vending machines or school
canteens. However,
availability may be limited,
especially during high-
demand periods.
Environmental Impact Increases the amount of
plastic trash produced since
single-use plastic bottles are
frequently thrown away after
only one use, which pollutes
the environment and depletes
resources.
Cost It comes with extra costs
associated with manufacture,
packaging, and delivery,
which are transferred to
customers.
Hydration option Typically offered in single-
serving portions, which
restricts the options available
to students who might need
several glasses of water.
Provide a more scalable
solution, allowing students to
access water at multiple
locations within the school
premises, thereby reducing
congestion and ensuring
consistent availability.
Encourage the use of reusable
containers, cut back on the
usage of single-use plastics,
and reduce the impact on the
environment to promote
sustainability.
Supply the possibility of
long-term cost reductions,
especially when taking into
account the system’s
scalability and the decreased
requirement for single-use
plastic bottles.
Propose adjustable amounts
so that students can add as
much water to their
containers as they like,
supporting hydration and
cutting down on waste.
I concur with the notion that water vending machines offer a scalable, sustainable, and
economically viable solution for addressing hydration requirements in educational institutions.
This aligns seamlessly with principles of environmental stewardship and prudent resource
management. Hence, the integration of water vending machines stands out as the optimal
strategy for advancing student health and fostering sustainability within school environments.