Elon's Class of 2022 received stainless steel water bottles that are a part of Cupanion's Fill it Forward campaign, which provides access to clean water for millions of people globally.
When the Class of 2022 arrived at their new home for the next four years, they were greeted with smiles, room keys and reusable water bottles.
New Student and Transition Programs partnered with Elon Dining and the Office of Sustainability to provide stainless steel reusable water bottles to all incoming Elon students in an effort to reduce waste on campus.
“I think by providing students with water bottles and providing education around it, we can help first years create sustainable habits during their time at Elon with hopes of taking those habits with them when they leave,” Amanda Cerra, registered dietitian with Elon Dining, explained.
These water bottles are not your typical water bottle. They are part of the Fill it Forward campaign by Cupanion, which the Office of Sustainability sponsors on campus.
Becoming part of the Fill it Forward campaign is easy. Students simply place the Fill it Forward sticker (given to them by their Orientation Leader) on their water bottle, download the Fill it Forward app and scan the sticker each time the water bottle is filled anywhere on campus. Each scan donates 10 cents to WaterAid, an organization that helps communities around the world gain access to clean water, hygiene and sanitation.
“The Fill it Forward program provides incentive for ditching single-use items, which is critical to waste reduction,” notes Kelly Harer, assistant director of sustainability. Returning students who do not have a Cupanion Fill it Forward sticker can pick one up at the water bottle refill stations in Moseley or the Koury Center.