Club Pilates Bozeman Commits to Water Sustainability

Club Pilates Bozeman Commits to Water Sustainability

by | Oct 5, 2016 | Bottle Filling Station Coverage Stories, Elkay Bottle Filling Stations, Elkay Bottle Filling Stations, Hydration Solutions

To Club Pilates Franchise Owner – Ashlie Thomison, setting a positive precedent is more important than making a quick profit.

Fitness centers breed thirsty customers, so it’s clear why most gyms capitalize by selling bottled water.

However, Ashlie Thomison of Club Pilates Bozeman decided that selling bottled water wasn’t worth the cost of harming our planet. For that reason, she choose to install a “water bottle filling station”, making water both free and accessible to her members.

Bozeman, Montana is “one of the fastest growing micropolitan cities in the US.” It is an exciting time to be a part of this forward-looking community – during which time small actions can make a long-lasting impact.

We spoke with Club Pilates’ Ashlie Thomison about the importance of water and sustainability at her new club, which will open on October 7th, 2016.

 

Why did you decide against selling bottled water?

“While looking at the options of types for water bottles I’m thinking to myself ‘people in Bozeman are not going to go for plastic.’ Also, I have no intention of selling bottled water. I want to encourage the use of refillable bottles versus disposable. There is a precedent set that impacts the decisions we make in this community.”

→ Did you know? According to Food and Water Watch, the manufacturing, production and transportation of bottled water takes roughly 2000 times more energy as the treatment and distribution of tap water. Bottled water also takes about three times as much water to produce than is in the bottle.

 

How has the environmental responsibility of Bozeman impacted your decision to install a bottle filling station?

“We are all looking around at the gorgeous mountains and we know that nationally we are losing the beautiful things we appreciate about nature. By feeling such a connection to the earth, environmental awareness is ingrained in the culture. I decided to install the bottle filling station I want to be a responsible business and community member. I hope that this installation helps our community by further perpetuating the culture of environmental sustainability.

Making water available in a sustainable way is crucial because I always stress the importance of hydration and taking care of your body. Hopefully people are chugging when they are at the studio!”

→ Did you know? Bottle filling stations are taking the country by storm, appearing in many airports, gyms, and schools. Here are 9 Reasons Bottle Filling Stations Should Replace Every Drinking Fountain.

 

What aspects of the Bozeman community make it a great place to live and own a business?

“Opening a business in a very fast growing, affluent area comes with its challenges, but we are committed to bringing this practice to Bozeman. We have a lot of patience and know that what we are doing is important to further develop the community.

The community is truly passionate about health and outdoors. We are really mindful about what we put in our bodies….eating organic, sourcing locally, and how we are impacting our environment.”

→ Did you know? Compost collections, monthly water supply reports, sustainability workshops, and a water conservancy events calendar are some of the initiatives that the Bozeman community has facilitated. Montana State University, Bozeman Climate Partners, and the City of Bozeman Department of Public Works, as well as several reporters in Bozeman, are truly passionate about the environment and what they can do to help preserve it. Eric Dietrich is one example of someone helping to educate the community about the importance of sustainability.

 

How do you hope Club Pilates will impact the community?

“I am excited to see how Club Pilates, a practice for everybody, will positively impact this community. For an active place like Bozeman, I know that in doing Pilates together we are going to enjoy our lives more and we are going to have the ability to do the things we love for life. The Club Pilates mission is “Do pilates. Do life.” and we really believe that everybody deserves to have access to this practice. It will make all of our lives better. “

→ Did you know? According to BeCause Water’s estimates, the bottle filling station in Club Pilates Bozeman is estimated to indirectly save approximately 25,500 plastic bottles from waste, resulting in a net impact of 4,951 Gallons of Water and 2,179,613 grams of CO2 saved. If every fitness center in the U.S. (there are 36,000) installed a bottle filler, 178,240,053 Gallons of water and 78,466,068,000 grams of CO would be indirectly saved . That’s enough water fill up 3,168,712 swimming pools.

 

**https://www.statista.com/statistics/244922/us-fitness-centers-und-health-clubs/

If you are a business owner looking to improve your environmental efforts, or a citizen interested in water sustainability, water quality, or bottle filling stations, visit BeCauseWater.com.

Club Pilates and Ashlie Thomison warmly invite you to Club Pilates Bozeman, which opened on October 7th, 2016. Learn more here.

How a High School Student Raised $9,200 for Bottle Filling Stations

How a High School Student Raised $9,200 for Bottle Filling Stations

by | Jul 20, 2016 | Bottle Filling Station Coverage Stories

After approaching his administration about installing Bottle Filling Stations at Loveland High, Mike Fackler was told the school did not have the financial means necessary to fund the project. That didn’t stop him..

While the Pacific Gyre, a massive gathering of micro-plastic waste, continues to wreak havoc in our oceans, the pressure from environmentalists, researchers, and activists is finally starting to make an impact.

The awareness for waste reduction has swept the country and college and high school campuses are leading the charge — advocating change with plastic bottle bans, awareness campaigns, and infrastructure revamping.

Mike Fackler of Loveland, Ohio is a rising college freshman who recognized the need for change in his own community. Serving as the Student Sustainability Coordinator for the Loveland City School District, it was brought to Mike’s attention that a majority of individuals within his school were still relying on single serve plastic water bottles. Conscious of impact that plastic bottles have on our planet, Mike sought to present alternative options to his peers.

As early as his sophomore year of high school, Mike knew that he wanted to install bottle filling stations on his campus. He informed us that “bottle filling stations were the most appealing option for starting a sustainability movement due to their convenience in refilling reusable bottles, and their utilization of filtered tap water.”

The bottle filling station solution not only reduces plastic waste, but also presents a safe way to consume Loveland’s tap water.

Once the decision was made that Mike wanted to install bottle filling stations, he presented the idea to his district administrators. They were extremely enthusiastic about Mike’s student-led project. Unfortunately, their enthusiasm did not match their ability for complete financial support. Mike was left with the responsibility to fund his project. It was at this point that BeCause Water Benefit Corporation of Boston, Massachusetts stepped provided Mike with tangible solutions at a discounted price.

Mike applied to the Hamilton County Recycling and Solid Waste District for a grant. Competing against nine other schools, Mike’s grant proposal was deemed the winner and the Loveland Schools were awarded a windfall of $9,200.

Cher Mohring, a program specialist at Hamilton County Recycling and Solid Waste District, told us that Mike’s grant proposal was appealing because it would impact an entire school district and promoted significant waste reduction.

bfsThe grant money provided Mike with the opportunity to purchase five Elkay bottle filling stations and 107 reusable water bottles from BeCause Water.

When the project reaches its completion, there will be one bottle filling station installed in each of the five schools within the Loveland City School District. This project has paved the way for students of all ages to make an impact on the environment and their own health for years to come.

According to BeCause Water Benefit Corp, each Bottle Filling Station at Loveland High is expected to save at least 10,000 plastic bottles from waste, resulting in a net impact of 74,968 Liters of Water and 8,718,454 grams of CO2 saved.

In addition to the physical conservation, the bottle filling stations will serve as an educational experience that disrupts wasteful habits, and encourages students to continue their impact beyond their campus.

Mike hopes to continue his “zero waste” movement. Whether that’s at Loveland High School or his future school, The Ohio State University, he intends to change the culture of his fellow students and foster an ecofriendly mindset around campus.

For those looking to follow in Mike’s sustainability footsteps, he encourages people to “jump right in” and “follow whatever you set your mind to.” Though it was initially daunting to take on such a project, Mike states, “working with BeCause Water was an overall great experience” that motivated him to triumphantly reach his goals. He hopes that in accomplishing this project, it will inspire others to take action for waste reduction and sustainability in their own communities.

For more information about Loveland’s impact, you can contact Mike Fackler directly here.

To learn more about bottle filling stations and other sustainable solutions, please visit BeCause Water Benefit Corp at becausewater.com