Holy Cross Discourages Plastic Water Bottles

College of the Holy Cross has launched a reusable bottled beverage promotion designed to discourage the use of bottled water as part of a campuswide sustainability program called “Purple Goes Green” (purple is the school color). As part of the initiative, Holy Cross Dining Services is selling a reusable purple 24-oz. bottle stamped with a green “Purple Goes Green” logo for $3.

Those who use the bottle at participating locations on campus receive discounted 75-cent refills on AquaHealth branded water and fountain beverages. Statistics from AquaHealth, a Boston-based “sustainable” beverage vendor, show that approximately 90% of plastic water bottles end up in landfills and distributing bottled water in the U.S. consumes 1.5 million barrels of oil each year.

In addition to the AquaHealth program, Holy Cross Dining Services has taken other “eco-friendly” steps, such as supporting 13 local farms for its fresh produce needs, inking a supply contract with an area dairy company, implementing a reusable mug program and eliminating straws—and soon trays—from its main Kimball Dining Hall.