MESSAGE IN THE BOTTLE – 2009/2010

The objective of the Message in the Bottle (MITB) Project was to instill a culture of water stewardship in Wellington County and the surrounding region through the distribution of affordable, reusable stainlees steel water bottles to school students and community members. Due to an unfavourable view of the Municipal water supply which developed since the Walkerton tragedy, there has been an increase in the use of single use disposable water bottles and therefore an increase in waste produced.  Our goal was to provide a reusable water container while reinforcing the message that tap water is safe and clean.  The main goal of this project was to reduce the purchase of single use plastic water bottles.  The Project’s tangible goal was to permanently eliminate 50 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year.

The Project was designed to provide information about water conservation and stewardship while empowering students to take action by practicing water conservation and waste reduction on a daily basis. Inside each stainless steel water bottle we distributed was a bookmark containing water conservation messages, some of which were aimed at the parents of the children receiving the bottles.

By all standards, our project was a tremendous success in our community. Through our Message in the Bottle Project, we were able to deliver our important lesson about water conservation to almost 45,000 individuals within our county – most of whom were students. In addition to delivering this important message, we were also able to distribute 16,243 stainless steel water bottles throughout the population of the county. Both of these accomplishments will have a deep and lasting impact on water conservation and waste reduction in Wellington County.

In the course of conducting this project, we learned that many people already had their own refillable container. For these individuals, hearing our water conservation message will have had the effect of reinforcing the need to support Municipal water supply by encouraging use of their refillable container and taking action. For those who acquired a stainless steel bottle through our program, they were given both the education and the tool to empower them to conserve water and reduce waste every day.

The carbon footprint of bottled water in single use plastic containers has been calculated at 40 grams per bottle by the Pacific Institute.   Assuming each student typically uses 5 disposable bottles per week, our best estimation of waste reduction through the bottles we distributed is (16,243  bottles x 40 grams per bottle x 5 bottles per week x 52 weeks per year = ) 168,927,200 grams or 169 tonnes of CO₂ per year. This doesn’t include the reduction derived by those who already had their own refillable container but had the message reinforced by our MITB project. This goal exceeds our project’s objectives.

Our project delivered our message to 43,381 individuals in our County, but we are aware that the message travels further than this. Each student took their information home to their families, increasing our range of influence even further.   Some of the messages inside the bottle were aimed at parents, and we received many letters from parents indicating this additional influence of our program, beyond the direct effect on the students receiving the bottles.  Our presentations were so well received, that we continue to be asked to deliver this message both at schools, businesses,  other organizations and will be doing so for some time into the future. Our original  target of reaching 50,000 individuals will be far exceeded over time.

About the project:

Fostering a new generation of water stewards.

trina koster photography

Our Message in the Bottle Project (MITB) is designed to place up to 50,000 stainless steel water bottles in the hands of students in Guelph and Wellington County.  This will empower children and youth to take back the tap, dramatically lower their carbon footprint and solid waste while saving parents and schools money.   For only 1 cent their bottle can be filled over 60 times with municipal tap water, water that is among the safest and most regulated in the world. Up to 100 tonnes of carbon emissions will be eliminated per year with this program including large volumes of solid waste as onetime use disposable drink containers will no longer enter the waste stream.

For just $5 each student will receive:

-       a stainless steel water bottle of the highest quality
-       a “message in the bottle” in the form of a bookmark insert promoting water conservation
-       a presentation by our School Coordinator outlining water conservation and protection to match grade appropriate curriculum.

Five dollars. Five reasons:

1. It’s healthier.

Our kids will drink more water. Hydration is healthy. (Most of us don’t drink enough water.) And tap water is far better for health than sugary drinks.

2. It’s smarter.

Our kids will be water-aware. Tap water is good for us all — and more quality controlled than bottled water. Have your kid “take back the tap.

3. It’s greener.

Our kids will be helping the environment. Single use beverage containers/bottles require energy to make and transport. Disposal is a public expense. Why should we pay those costs?

4. It’s cheaper.

You’ll save money. Tap water is almost free (1¢ for 60 refills). Commercial drinks are expensive. Add up your annual bill then think of other ways to use that money.

5. It’s safer.

Our kids will have a safe water container for years. Plastics are simply not healthy. Food-grade stainless steel is safe, durable, and cool.

To book your class now, please contact our School Coordinator Erika Spekkens erikaspekkens@gmail.com or through wellingtonwaterwatchers@gmail.com.

FAQs

• What is the main purpose of the Message In The Bottle program?  To empower children and youth to take back the tap, to dramatically lowering their carbon footprint (eliminate 100 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year), to dramatically reduce solid waste at schools from packaging, to conserve water (1 500ml plastic water bottle takes 1500ml of water to make) and to save families money by promoting reuse.
• Who are the Wellington Water Watchers?  We are a group of concerned citizens in the area that are dedicated to preserving and enhancing drinking water in Guelph and Wellington County.  We are a not for profit organisation with over 900 members.
• How much does it cost to sponsor one classroom? With an average of 25 kids per class, $125 will enable every child in a class to receive a bottle.
• Is the bottle dishwasher safe?  The bottle supplier advises not to wash bottles in the dishwasher but this is mostly because of some super hot settings on machines.  It can be safely washed in a dishwasher if you put the cap on the top shelf and avoid ‘heat dry’ settings.
• Is the plastic lid safe? Yes, it is virgin polypropylene – recycle #5, totally non-leaching and safe.
• Can juice and milk be put in the bottle?  Yes to juice but milk can go stinky so it is best to avoid as more washing would be required.
• How long will the bottle last?  Years and years if it is taken care of. It is very durable but is not indestructible.
• Is the water in schools safe?  Yes, each school performs pipe flushing programs, lead testing, and water quality tests.  In Ontario tap water is the some of most tested and regulated in world and meets very high standards.  Much of the bottled water on the market comes from the same source as tap water but is self-regulated.  Our local water bottling company, Nestle, draws its water from the same source as the City of Guelph.