The $3,500 Think Green grant from Waste Management of Virginia will go toward the installation of additional water bottle filling stations on campus.
Waste Management of Virginia representatives visited Bridgewater College’s campus Dec. 6 to award the college with a $3,500 Think Green grant. The merit-based grant program supports projects that encourage the development and sustainability of environmental solutions that improve a community’s environment.
“Bridgewater College’s Office of Sustainability is grateful to Waste Management for this grant, which is a recognition of our efforts to continue promoting sustainable practices and programs to educate our community,” said Teshome Molalenge, Director of Sustainability at Bridgewater College.
The grant will be used to install four to five additional water filling stations on campus, joining nine others already in place, in an effort to help reduce the amount of plastic water bottles used. Molalenge said the project will not only streamline the campus’s recycling efforts, but also comes with the added benefit of students choosing water over less healthy alternatives.
“The most effective benefits of water bottle filling stations is their attention to sustainability,” Molalenge said. “The stations would be a publicly visible sign of the college’s commitment to sustainability, the stations would provide learning opportunities for students due to their compelling environmental and economic benefits, and, finally, this type of initiative has the potential to influence attitudes and behavior regarding sustainability on campus.”
The grant will cover the cost of equipment, and the College will provide labor for installing the units.
“Waste Management is pleased to support a variety of projects and programs over the years throughout Virginia to advance sustainability, increase recycling rates and environmental education and beautify our communities,” said Stephany Holguin, Public Affairs Coordinator for Waste Management.
