water refill station Archives - Keep Virginia Beautiful

water refill station

June 20 2023

Carroll County Awarded a $500 Recycling Green Grant

Beckey Watson Uncategorized $500, Carroll County, Green Grants, recycling, single use plastic, Splash Pad, water refill station

Carroll County is awarded a $500 Green Grant in the Recycling Category as part of our 13th Annual Green Grants Program.0

Every year, government, non-profit, civic, and service organizations in Virginia are invited to apply for grants ranging from $500 to $1,000 that will help address an environmental concern in their community. Grants must focus on one of the following priorities: Litter Prevention, Recycling, Cigarette Litter Prevention, or Community Beautification.

Carroll County is a local government organization located in the heart of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains in far Southwest Virginia. The County offers an array of activities, scenery, and has deeply rooted Appalachian culture. Their recreation department offers programs and facilities to improve the quality of life for all citizens of Carroll County along with our visitors.

The focus of their Green Grant application was to reduce the number of single-use plastic bottles of water used at the new Carroll County Splash Pad / Recreational Park. With many citizens visiting the park daily, they will install a water refilling station and encourage guests to bring reusable water bottles. Funds from the Green Grant award will be used toward the purchase and installation of a water refill station near the restrooms.

Congratulations Carroll County! Thank you for tackling the statewide concern of over-use and improperly disposal of single-use plastics. Offering a bottle refill stations gives residents and guests at the Splash Pad an opportunity to get needed summer hydration in a responsible way!

June 9 2022

Ridge Elementary is Awarded $1,000 Green Grant

Beckey Watson Uncategorized $1000, award, Green Grant, recycling, Ridge Elementary, School, single use plastic, water refill station

The Ridge Elementary School PTA today’s award for a $1,000 Green Grant for their application in the Recycling Category. We continue to award thirty grants throughout Virginia, announcing one each day in June.

The Ridge Elementary PTA supports Ridge Elementary in Henrico County, Virginia. Ridge is a diverse school where the student population represents over 30 countries and over 20 languages are spoken.

The school and PTA saw a need for water bottle refill stations at Ridge Elementary. Newer schools are now built with this type of water station, but Ridge was built in the 1920’s and has not had a renovation since the 1970’s. The filling stations will be used by both students and staff, and would discourage the use of single-use plastic bottles of water. Furthermore, the new water stations will be the only filtered water in the school, which is safer and healthier for all.

Funds awarded by Keep Virginia Beautiful would be used to cover most of the expense of purchasing two water refill stations. The PTA will be able to supplement the remainder, and County facilities and maintenance would install the stations at no additional cost.

The expectation is that the filling station will increase water consumption because it will make water more accessible, and a novelty for students to fill their own reusable bottles. Drinking more water is part of the school’s Wellness Plan. Ridge Elementary will also save money by eliminating the purchase of bottled water at faculty and staff meetings.

Carrying your own water bottle to refill at school saves money for families too! Congratulations Ridge, you’re teaching your students good habits that are healthy for the kids and the environment!