Barbados has reached an exciting and impactful milestone, breaking the three million bottle fill mark at Hydrate Caribbean’s hydration stations.
The hydration stations are now a common sight across the island, providing access to free, chilled and purified water in schools, public parks and even key tourist locations.
Hydrate Caribbean is reporting that Barbadians have enthusiastically embraced the convenience and usefulness of the stations, returning time and again to refill their bottles and making the refill culture a part of daily life.
Some hydration stations have reached impressive bottle fills to date, such as the PwC-sponsored station at Freedom Square which amassed 281 258 fills. Other high-traffic hydration stations include one at Sheraton Mall, sponsored by Harris Paints, with 204 314 bottle fills and the Hastings Boardwalk station, reaching 254 142.
“These numbers highlight not only the widespread community support but also the real impact each fill has on reducing single-use plastic waste across the island,” Hydrate Caribbean said in a statement.
To commemorate this significant achievement, it has launched a month-long campaign under the slogan 1 Bottle, Big Change: 3 Million Saved. The campaign highlights the double-barrelled message behind its theme: every plastic bottle avoided helps reduce pollution, and every bottle filled brings us closer to a healthier island.
The campaign is set to run throughout November, with contests, community pop-ups, and educational initiatives designed to spotlight the environmental and health benefits of using these hydration stations.
As part of the celebration, Barbadians are invited to take photos while refilling their bottles at any of the 12 public hydration stations and share them on Instagram. By tagging Hydrate Caribbean and the station’s sponsor, persons are automatically entered into the prize drawing.
Additionally, schools which are recipients of sponsored hydration stations will participate in the Hydration Challenge, which encourages students to embrace water as the preferred hydration choice. The primary and secondary schools that log the most refills at the end of the month will be awarded prizes.
Sponsors of 1 Bottle, Big Change: 3 Million Saved include Ansa Merchant Bank, Kooyman Barbados, Harris Paints Barbados, Pharmacy Sales Caribbean Ltd, Barbados Public Workers’ Co-operative Credit Union Ltd, HIPAC Ltd, Rentokil Initial Barbados and Massy Card Barbados. Their contributions will support both the public photo contest and the school’s challenge by providing prizes and rewards.
Prizes include a $500 voucher in Harris Paint products, a $500 Kooyman Barbados voucher and gift baskets compliments Pharmacy Sales Caribbean Inc.
Since its inception, Hydrate Caribbean has established 29 hydration stations, including popular spots like the Wildey Gymnasium, the Granville Williams Bus Terminal and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. The programme sees a future where refilling a reusable bottle becomes as habitual as picking up one’s keys or phone.
By making bottle fills the “new norm”, Hydrate Caribbean aims to shift habits toward a sustainable future and achieve progress towards global sustainable development goals on clean water, sustainable cities, responsible consumption, and ocean conservation.
As part of the campaign, Hydrate Caribbean has also launched a crowdfunding effort to expand the number of hydration stations across Barbados, especially in schools. Contributions from the public will go directly towards installing additional stations, allowing more people to benefit from free, purified water.
Barbadians are invited to join in celebrating the milestone by visiting their local hydration stations, participating in the photo contest, and supporting the expansion of the programme.
(PR)
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