Sustainability and plastic consumption

The basic standard has been raised and all schools are challenged to do more to go green, conserve resources, and take steps to make it easier for students to do the same.

In today’s everchanging world, consumers are looking for sustainable improvements to their everyday life –from the cars we drive, to the products we consume – our collective

Nowhere is this more prevalent than in the education space – spanning from elementary schools to colleges and universities. Many schools have fully developed sustainability initiatives and are actively looking to implement additional environmentally-conscious programs and products. The basic standard has been raised and all schools are challenged to do more to go green, conserve resources, and take steps to make it easier for students to do the same. At Elkay, we’re fully committed to protecting the environment, schools and communities in which we work and live through an ever-present commitment to conservation and sustainability. In fact, in 2010, Elkay was the first company to introduce the industry-leading ezH2O Bottle Filling Stations, in direct response to consumer demands and the growing concerns regarding the environmental impact of bottled water. Before ezH2O, standard drinking fountains found at most education facilities weren’t designed for filling water bottles. Now, the ezH2O units benefit students who carry reusable water bottles, allowing them to refill throughout the day, rather than throwing away mul-

impact on the environment is a growing priority.

tiple plastic bottles a day. Elkay’s ezH2O also feature the signature Green Ticker, which logs the number of plastic water bottles saved – empowering students and faculty alike to get excited about sustainability. By showing the real-time impact of reus-

At this rate, there’s going to be more plastic in our oceans than fish by 2050.

able water bottles, users see a firsthand positive impact for the environment.

While we’re moving in the right direction in terms of sustainability, it’s still concerning that Americans use more than 50-billion single-use plastic water bottles annually – many of which end up in landfills or our world’s oceans. At this rate, there’s going to be more plastic in our oceans than fish by 2050 (according to World Economic Forum’s The New Plastic Economy).

Things need to start changing. As educational facility managers, school administrators, and district decisionmakers, the charge is to continue to place an emphasis on sustainable solutions to benefit the environment. In doing so, both students and schools will make a real impact. Providing fresh, clean water delivery in place of plastic water bottles empowers students to choose water over sugary soft drinks and similar alternatives. In turn, by reducing our dependency on plastic water bottles, schools will see significant cost-savings as a result.

In the end, we all benefit – our schools, students, and planet – when we make

sustainability a priority. n

The ezH20 units benefit students who carry reusable water bottles, allowing them to refill throughout the day, rather than throwing away multiple plastic bottles a day.

PEOPLE, PRODUCTS, PRIDE SINCE 1905

550 Cuduthel Street Victoria, BC V8Z 1G1 PH: 250-475-6272 FX: 250-475-6282 TF: 888-545-6111 927 Dunford Avenue Victoria, BC V9B 2S4 PH: 250-391-3050 FX: 250-475-6200 TF: 866-551-6789

Plumbing, Hydronic, and Industrial Supplies

2350 Dorman Road Nanaimo, BC V9S 5G2 PH: 250-751-2622 FX: 250-751-2621 TF: 877-751-2622

www.emcobc.ca

SUITE 300, 6 ROSLYN ROAD, WINNIPEG, MANITOBA, CANADA www.delcommunications.com

DEL Communications & You, the key to publishing success.

We offer outstanding personal service and quality in the areas of...

• Creative Design • Advertising Sales • Trade Publications • Video Production & Editing • Qualified Sales & Editorial Team

bring learning to LIFE

ARCHITECTURE & LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE www.chparchitects.com 604-793-9445