thePULSEBy Alicia Lincoln
As part of an effort to make Holy Cross a more environmentally sustainable place, dining services has introduced a new “Purple Goes Green” initiative with a reusable bottled beverage promotion. The 24 oz. bottle, which is purple and stamped with a green “Purple Goes Green” logo, is available for $3. As an incentive, those who use the bottle at participating locations on campus will receive discounted refills ~ only 75 cents ~ on AquaHealth water and fountain beverages at Crossroads, Cool Beans and Lower Kimball. Holy Cross is one of the first colleges to introduce AquaHealth in a cash operation on campus and they have already sold 500 bottles campus-wide.
Statistics from AquaHealth claim approximately 90% of plastic water bottles end up in landfills each year and distributing bottled water in the U.S. consumes 1.5 million barrels of oil each year.
Linda Nardella, director of dining services, says the reusable bottle will help Holy Cross reduce its environmental footprint. “The AquaHealth System is a sustainable bottled water program that will allow Holy Cross to serve bottled water without the hazards of traditional bottling,” says Nardella.
According to AquaHealth, “Research has begun to reveal that bottled water also contains contaminants that one might find in unfiltered tap water, and the impact of the wasted plastic has been immense. AquaHealth uses an advanced technology system to provide the cleanest water possible. By using things such as micro-filtration and ultra-violet light, the purification system removes hazards like dangerous bacteria and heavy metals.”
Martin Dudek, assistant director of dining services, says that the change might not be an easy adjustment, but it’s culturally necessary. “Holy Cross might only be a small part of society, but if there is not a culture change in the way we consume water, where will we end up? Change needs a place to start,” and Holy Cross is as good a place as any.
Dining services has taken other steps toward becoming “eco-friendly” and encouraging sustainable living. Holy Cross supports 13 local farms and has a contract with an area dairy company. They have already implemented a reusable mug program and eliminated straws from the main Kimball Dining Hall, which is going “trayless” on March 9, 2009, in order to reduce food and water waste. Dining services is also hoping to start a reusable bag program for its take-out dining locations.
