By Jonathan Jones | Observer Contributor
Photo by Cheyne Ordonio
Since the club’s inception in 2004, The Green Society has set out to educate students about the environmental issues of the day and give back in the form of community service.
With the introduction of the water bottle filling station in the Commons area, The Green Society has successfully completed both goals by bringing to light the damaging effect that plastic water bottles have on the environment while providing students and staff with a cost-free alternative to bottled water.
In just a few short weeks of existence, the station has saved over 400 plastic bottles and Green Society Advisor, Professor Tom Montagno, explains the possibility and challenge of adding more stations to the campus.
“That’s our long-term hope and goal, we are going to see how this one is received and it seems to be doing quite well” said Professor Montagno.
He added, “I don’t know if we can afford to purchase more of these but perhaps the college might consider that if it was something the students and staff would demand, and enjoy.”
The bottle filling station was made possible by a $1,000 grant from United Way Youth Venture and $500 from the Student Government Association. According to Prof. Montagno, they have not yet received an invoice for the installation or purchase but it is expected to be in the area of $2,000 dollars. The Green Society will pay the difference by holding fundraisers.
In addition to the annual fundraisers in the winter and spring, the Green Society will soon be offering students a chance to purchase stainless steel water bottles for use at the stations.
Prof. Montagno explains,” [in the past] we have never requested money from the SGA for budgetary purposes, simply because our fundraisers are successful.”
All maintenance and repair costs for the bottle filling stations will also be paid for by the Green Society.
The bottle filling station does require a filter change after 3,000 bottle fillings and the Green Society will be responsible for the cost of those filters which are $20-$30 dollars apiece.
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