As part of an initiative to reduce the amount of plastic being used at Francis Lewis, Principal Dr. Marmor has proposed to get rid of all plastic water bottle machines as well as install environmentally sound water filling machines.

“I’m removing all the plastic water bottles out the vending machine and replacing them with aluminum cans that can be recycled,” stated Dr. Marmor.  “What we are also doing is purchasing a water bottle filling station on the strip.  We’re in the process of removing the water fountain in front of the S.O and putting in a water bottle filling station so students will be able to fill up the water bottle that they were given.  You’ll probably see it in a couple of months.”

Francis Lewis participated in the S’well bottle initiative by New York City’s Office of Sustainability to distribute aluminum bottles to students.  The Social Studies Department distributed S’well bottles to all students during a social studies period in October.

“The reason why people use the S’well bottles is that they are reusable,” Dr. Marmor said.  “The whole concept is to use that bottle with drinking water and not use the plastic bottle that they can throw away, pile up in landfill, clog the oceans, [and] harm aquatic life. 

“By using a S’well bottle that you can refill and wash, we are cutting down the amount of wasteful plastic that is going on.”

320,200 high school students across all boroughs and schools (charter and public schools) received a S’well bottle as part of the initiative.  Francis Lewis students have been using them regularly throughout the school day. 

“I’ve been using it daily,” senior Daniel Friedman said.  “I have it with me right now.  I think it’s a smart idea.”

Comprised of architects, data scientists, engineers and city planners, the goal of the Office of Sustainability is to create and maintain a city where zero waste and zero carbon is produced by its residents.  Some of the long term goals of the office is to reduce greenhouse gases by 80 perent by 2050 and zero waste to landfills by 2030 (www.nyc.gov/sustainability).