Green Up Vermont offers grants for bottle-filling stations

Nov. 12, 2021  |  By Lisa Scagliotti

Green Up Vermont, the nonprofit organization that organizes the annual statewide cleanup effort each spring, has announced a grant program to purchase and install water-bottle-filling stations around the state.

The program will be funded with just under $80,000 from the Chittenden Solid Waste District and it will target schools and other high-use public places where filling stations can help reduce reliance on disposable water bottles and the waste they create. The grants will fund the purchase of and up to $1,000 in installation costs for 30 Elkay Water Refill Station indoor and outdoor units.

The program funding was approved by the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources in an agreement with the solid waste district after the district was found in violation of state regulations regarding disposal and handling of glass at its Williston recycling facility. "While Vermonters are very good about recycling at home and are making great strides at work, recycling 'on-the-go' remains a challenge," said CSWD Executive Director Sarah Reeves. "Helping Green Up Vermont address this waste-prevention gap is right in line with our mission."

Green Up Vermont Executive Director Kate Alberghini said she was pleased her organization could help roll out this project. “As important as Green Up Day is, it is just as important to fulfill initiatives that teach good habits for reducing waste and creating the mindset of reducing and reusing resources instead of just using disposables," she said.  

For more information about the grant program, contact Green Up Vermont at greenup@greenupvermont.org or call 802-522-7245. The grant has a one-page application with a Dec.15 deadline.

Lisa Scagliotti is the volunteer Green Up coordinator for Waterbury.