Questions arise after MCPS spends $415,000 on single-use water bottles

ROCKVILLE – Despite its emphasis on sustainability and recycling, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) spent $415,000 on single-use water bottles during the 2018-2019 school year.

The district purchased 3 million eight-ounce bottles of water for use in the elementary schools and spent $515,000 for 16.9-ounce bottles for students in the upper grades.

State Del. Al Carr. (Courtesy Photo)

When State Del. Al Carr (D-18) toured MCPS’s central food facilities on Sept. 4, he questioned the large amount of single-use water bottles piled up on palettes.

“We need to try and get kids in the habit of sustainability,” he said. “For me, it was just an eye-opener, and I will be asking more questions about it,” Carr said.

“I think we need to provide an alternative,” he said, adding, “The first step is for them to have clear drinking water available to (for) the kids either at fountains or filling stations.” 

The school system is currently looking for ways to solve this issue. It added water fountains with bottle-refilling stations during all their new, revitalized and expansion school projects, according to MCPS’ Fiscal Year 2018 Environmental Sustainability Management Plan. It also has retrofitted some water fountains in existing schools and replacing older ones...

https://mont.thesentinel.com/2019/10/05/questions-arise-after-mcps-spends-415000-on-single-use-water-bottles/?fbclid=IwAR3vYgf5KsKcWv2OIKtrQnWXjyxjcJ6b1fgCOqE1Y4Mxu2t156ZcYMPLR40