OUSA has teamed up with North Dunedin liquor outlets as part of re-orientation this week in an attempt to persuade students to buy alcohol in cans or plastic bottles.
OUSA president Hugh Baird said demand for the initiative was spurred by complaints about broken glass, including from students.
''We decided that the best way of possibly looking to deal with it was from a student lead initiative that would prove to the rest of the city that we could in fact look after our own area.
''I think it's a great opportunity for us to show the rest of the city that there is no need for liquor bans or those sorts of drastic changes in the area,'' Mr Baird said.
Bottle stores had ''come to the party'' by offering specials on alcohol in cans and plastic bags and by advertising the voluntary glass ban.
If successful, the ban could continue beyond this week.
At yesterday's university council meeting Mr Baird said after two days of re-orientation week it looked as though the initiative was working.
There was less glass on the streets and liquor stores reported they were selling more alcohol in plastic bottles and cans.
Vice-chancellor Prof Harlene Hayne congratulated Mr Baird and said the initiative was an example of how student leadership could lead to ''fantastic changes''.
