Water Bottle Refill Stations

Transcription

1 Water Bottle Refill Stations Requested Budgeted Amount: $3438 Project Leader: Heather Masterson (631) Other Project Team Members: Samantha Brodsky Brittany Desiato

2 Problem Need In order to provide student satisfaction and general well-being, Clarkson University needs to instate water fountains with sports bottle fillers. According to Wefill i, in 28 over 39 billion single-use water bottles were consumed in the U.S. and only 39% of those were recycled. The consumption of plastic water bottles has increased drastically from the past 1 years. In 211, approximately 6 tons of solid waste came from the campus at a cost of $158/ton. Currently, the residents of Ross, Brooks, Cubley, and Reynolds, Quad, as well as the residents of Hamlin and the users of the fitness center are relying on water fountain with no sports bottle filler. Resulting in the constant use of plastic water bottles being disposed of and causing an increase amount of unnecessary solid waste, energy waste, and emissions. Without the effective use of water fountains and sports bottle fillers, Clarkson University students are practicing the unsustainable use of plastic water bottles leading to Clarkson University traveling a path of unsustainable practices. Student life, with the help of organizations such as the Environmental Conservation Organization, ECO, and Sustainable Synergy, has become more involved in green ideals. ECO has already installed a simpler model of a refill station in an academic building and is currently selling reusable water bottles. Before this project, the proof that these actions have benefited the campus was lacking. A full analysis of the environmental, social, and economic benefits of refill stations will provide the proof administration will need to promote sustainable ideals. Project Approach With this sustainable project, we implemented water fountains on the first floor Quad, Hamlin, and two locations in the IRC. The Quad and IRC locations had existing water fountains and have plumbing and electricity capabilities. The Quad location is directly next to the laundry room and the ATM. The IRC locations include the first floor weight room next to the stairwell and the lobby area by the bathrooms. The Hamlin location is near the first floor bathrooms. The installation of the four fountains will encourage students to use reusable water bottles and reduce the solid waste from plastic bottles. Three separate water fountains and refill stations were researched. The fountain that was decided upon was the ELKAY ii EZH2O 12. This model comes with either refrigerated units or unrefrigerated units; this allowed us to decide which would be best for each station. The fountain that was chosen also has a digital counter. The visual user interface display counts the quantity of 12oz. bottles filled up from the water bottle refilling station and therefore saved from the landfill. When the units were installed, the visual user interface allowed us to document the counter every Wednesday. The data collected was then used to calculate the amount of water bottles saved, as well as the energy, solid waste, and emission saved. The other models researched did not offer an interface display, only offered the actual water bottle refill station. These do not offer a filtering system but they can be retrofitted to existing water fountains. Financially speaking, the implementation of water fountains and sports bottle filler will in effect increase the selling of reusable water bottles for Environmental Conservation Organization, ECO, and the University Bookstore. Impacts and Assessment The installment of water fountains and water bottle refill stations in the proposed locations has many beneficial impacts not only to the environment, but also to the University. These fountains have allowed students in those areas to have easy access to places to fill up reusable water bottles, which will reduce the amount of plastic water bottles used. The environmental assessment and analysis was completed through simple conversions, shown in Table 1, as well as the counter data recorded, shown in Figure 1.. This in 1 Cost breakdown chosen by facilities department is found in Table 1 of the Appendix. 2 Installation photograph of refill stations is found in Figure 1 of the Appendix.

3 Number of Plastic Bottles Saved turn has reduced the amount of solid waste students dispose of, both recyclable and trash. A reduction in solid waste will in turn save Clarkson University funds because Clarkson pays by the ton for waste disposal. A reduction in solid waste will lead to a reduction in energy usage, shown in Figure 2, and CO2 emissions, shown in Figure 3, that are associated with removal and disposal of the waste. The energy saved by using a reusable water bottle can also be measured by the number of bottles saved per energy required. Table 1. Breakdown of the conversions used in the environmental impact analysis. Mass of Plastic (grams) iii Ounces of Water iv Number of liter bottles v Energy needed vi CO 2 Emissions vii 14.3 grams/12 oz. plastic bottle 12 oz./plastic bottle counted Number of bottles/ oz 3.4 mega joules/ liter of bottles 3 grams CO 2 /gram of Plastic Plastic Bottles Saved /2 3/12 3/22 4/1 4/11 4/21 5/1 Date Surveyed QUAD IRC_Pool IRC_FitnessRoom Figure 1. The number of plastic bottles saved 3 provided a tangible figure for our analysis. 3 Number of 12 oz bottles recorded from the visual interface counter located on each refill station.

4 CO 2 (grams) Energy Needed (megajoules) Energy from PET Plastic / 1/1 1/2 1/3 1/4 1/5 1/6 Date Surveyed QUAD IRC_Pool IRC_FitnessRoom Figure 2. The energy required for the water bottles saved is the amount of energy used in the production of PET plastic used in plastic water bottles that can now be used in other ways CO 2 Emissions QUAD IRC_Pool IRC_FitnessRoom 3/12 3/22 4/1 4/11 4/21 Date Surveyed Figure 3. The CO 2 emissions caused by the energy used in the production of PET plastic for plastic water bottles that can now be used in other ways. With easy access to water fountains students are more likely to use reusable bottles which in turn will most likely increase water bottles sales and profits of ECO club and the University Bookstore. By using reusable water bottles students will have to spend less money on plastic water bottles and will have more lucrative funds to spend on campus. The behavior changes of students can be measured by the number of bottles saved by the refill station per resident in each building. This in turn will also make students happier because they will have more money and they will have one less thing to worry about. Water fountains and water bottle refill stations will also help the institution on with the mission of becoming greener and more sustainable. Having one fountain in a well-traveled area of each dorm building will encourage students to be more conservative with use of plastic water bottles. The fountains will also show others that the institution is taking steps to become more environmentally conscious.

5 For educational and advertising purposes the clubs, ECO and Sustainable Synergy, can be used to effectively advertise the benefits of water fountains and refill stations across campus. For each station implemented a permanent poster can be located. A similar poster is already located in the Science Center first floor refill station. Other possible advertising can include television advertisement throughout campus, student announcement s, as well as announcements in environmental clubs and classes. Water fountains with a sports bottle filler will help the campus become more aware of sustainable changes can benefit their everyday lives. The goal was not only to help the current students but to provide a recruiting tool for potential students by allowing them to see how sustainable Clarkson University is. Recommendations With the installation of the refill stations approximately 25, 12 ounce plastic bottles. The refill stations in the IRC received a better overall response because of its high traffic location. In a survey taken from April 11, 212 to April 15, 212, it is concluded that students have had a positive reaction to these refill stations. Over 95% of students who took the survey think that these refill stations promote using refillable water bottles but most of these students have not seen these refill stations around campus. When asked where the most desirable locations would be, many students preferred refill stations in more prominent locations such as the Student Center, the CAMP Atrium and third floor of the Science Center. In regards to estimated cost and pay back, it is difficult to assume these numbers because we do not have the appropriate data. To acquire this cost, the savings from waste and the pure mass of plastic compared to the price of the units would have to be considered. Unfortunately Clarkson University pays for waste disposal, recycling, at a monthly fee. Because of this monthly fee, Clarkson would pay for the excess bottles even if they were not recycled. Clarkson University must consider not only the financial impacts but also the social and environmental impacts to become a well-rounded sustainable campus. The water bottle refill stations will serve as a prominent resource to explore the future benefits of sustainability for our campus. It is our recommendation to have at least four more Elkay refill stations installed in academic buildings Student Center ERC New Dorms Camp Atrium Concrete Café Cheel Snell Science Center 3rd Floor TAC Hamlin-Powers Location Preference

6 Appendix Table 1. Price Breakdown for each system chosen. Location System Chosen Cost Dormitory 1 (Hamlin) Retrofitted existing fountain $533 with refill station only Dormitory 2 (Quad) Replace existing fountain with $1,25 refrigerated full unit Fitness Center Pool Area Replace existing fountain with $1,25 refrigerated full unit Fitness Center Weight Room Replace existing fountain with non-refrigerated full unit $ Figure 1. Refill Station found in the IRC pool area after installation. i "Bottled Water, Plastics, and Glass Usage." Remarkable Eco-Friendly, Sustainable Drinking Water Dispensing Solution. WeFillWater, 211. Web. 6 Apr ii "Elkay Companies, World Leader in Stainless Steel Sinks, Faucets, Hydration Stations, Water Coolers, Ezh2o Water Refilling Stations & Kitchen Cabinets." Elkay Companies. Web. 6 Apr < iii "Plastic Bottle Statistics." Re3. Web. 6 Apr < iv Elkay Companies (212) v "Liters To Fluid Ounces (oz) Conversion." Ask Numbers. Web. 6 Apr vi "Pacific Institute - Bottled Water and Energy." Pacific Institute: Research for People and the Planet. Pacific Institute, 212. Web. 6 Apr vii Pacific Institute (212)