Bridgwater and Taunton College are committed to investigating, and where possible implementing, ways to reduce single-use plastic across the College. After submitting an application, we are delighted to have been chosen to receive a 25th Anniversary Wessex Watermark award for £1000. The award monies will be used to install a water bottle refill station in the reception area of our Taunton Campus.
Sue Goodland, Wessex Water’s Education Advisor, presented the College with its award on Tuesday 28th January. Sue said:
The College has worked with Wessex Water apprentices for some time now. It is the young that are leading the way to reduce waste and Wessex Water are delighted to help students with their aims to reduce dependence on single use water bottles.
The College has three campuses and plans to install water refill stations in all three. The Taunton Campus is a busy site and will be the first to have a water station installed.
Mark Nettle, Director of Student Services, said:
Students have led our campaign to reduce the use of single use plastics, nearly all our catering now uses compostable Vegware rather than plastic so it makes perfect sense to try and encourage alternatives to single-use plastic drinking water bottles.
The Taunton Campus is a busy site with students, staff and visitors. Its atrium has a Costa outlet and is a popular place for people to gather. It will be a great place to have the refill station.
Our students realise that changes will have to be made and that we can all play a part in reducing the ever increasing mountain of throw away plastic. To us it is just rubbish, but to marine life and the eco-systems it relies on, it is a slow death.
The College sector has tight budgets and to receive this support from Wessex Water is very much appreciated. It has turned a good idea – which might have stalled for lack of funding -into reality!
The Watermark Award provides funds for environmental projects within the Wessex Water area. Now in its 26th year, it has supported nearly one thousand environmental initiatives.
To celebrate this milestone Wessex Water has launched a new Watermark Award. Now communities can apply for a special Anniversary Watermark to help with installing water bottle refill points that will reduce single use plastic drinking bottles.
The Wessex Watermark Awards are organised by The Conservation Foundation who judge all the projects.
