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Brandon Oleson, an information systems major from Geneseo (IL), fills his water bottle at a station near the Western Illinois University-Quad Cities Library.
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WIU-QC Receives Recycle Superhero Award

November 21, 2017

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MOLINE, IL - - Western Illinois University-Quad Cities has been selected as a 2017 Recycle Superhero Award recipient in recognition of an initiative to divert plastic water bottles from local landfills.

According to Rodd Schick, municipal services general manager for the City of Moline, WIU-QC was chosen for the award for the installation of water-bottle refilling stations that recently reached a milestone mark. Since Western Illinois University began installing the stations on its two campuses in 2013, the effort has diverted more than 1 million plastic bottles from local landfills.

The first 20 stations were added in Spring 2014 as part of the University's sustainability efforts, 10 of which were installed on the Quad Cities campus. Each station has a counter display that shows how many 20-ounce bottles are conserved each time water is dispensed. A recent check of all fountains on both campuses indicated the total bottles saved is approximately 1.09 million.

The award from the Keep Moline Beautiful Commission was presented to Scott Brouette, WIU-QC assistant director of Student Services, during a presentation at a recent Moline city council meeting.

"We are honored and excited to have our sustainability efforts recognized by our home city of Moline," said Joseph Rives, WIU vice president for Quad Cities and planning. "It is satisfying to know that with each re-fill, our students, faculty, staff and visitors are helping do one small part in keeping our beautiful campus, our city, and our planet beautiful and sustainable."

Complete information about the University-wide initiative can be found in a previous news release at www.wiu.edu/news/newsrelease.php?release_id=14889.

Posted By: Alison McGaughey (AR-McGaughey@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing