The Office of Sustainability recently concluded the Fill it Forward Challenge, a month-long initiative aimed at reducing plastic pollution by promoting the use of reusable water bottles. This event was part of the broader Fill it Forward program and coincided with Earth Month celebrations.
The challenge ended on April 30, with Kitoko Melton, an undergraduate psychology major, emerging as the winner after recording 214 refills. As a reward, Melton received a free Ocean water bottle and custom "Be Sustainable" stickers from the Office of Sustainability.
Throughout the duration of the challenge, participants recorded a total of 813 refills on campus. According to data from the Fill it Forward app, these efforts resulted in saving nearly 789 pounds of carbon emissions, diverting 24 pounds of waste, and preventing almost 5 pounds of ocean pollution by reducing single-use plastics.
Erin Kluge, sustainability coordinator for Stony Brook's West campus, noted that scanning stickers at refillable water stations gained significant popularity among students. "I did not have a refill number in mind," Kluge stated. "I was merely hoping to reach a range of students to increase awareness of single-use plastics, and I believe this challenge did that successfully and then some."
Each refill during the challenge contributed $0.02 to charities focused on improving water infrastructure in underserved communities. Most funds raised were directed towards the Access to Water in Bolivia Project by Water for People Canada. The remaining proceeds supported initiatives such as creating piped system tap stands in Madagascar and providing water access and filtration systems to schools across Latin America, East Africa, and Nepal.
Looking ahead, the Office of Sustainability plans to continue its efforts beyond April with more campaigns scheduled for next semester. "We are hoping to have challenges for residence halls, class years, departments, and employees," Kluge mentioned. Updates will be available on their Instagram page and through tabling events in the fall.
Students are encouraged to maintain sustainable practices by using personal cutlery and containers at dining halls, bringing their own shopping bags to stores, and supporting zero-waste initiatives both at work and home.
— Rachel Lea