The Desert Recreation District (DRD) has been awarded a $148,500 grant from CalRecycle's Beverage Container Recycling Grant Program. The funds will be used to install water refill stations at public parks and community centers in the Coachella Valley. This initiative aims to promote sustainability and support California's goal of achieving an 80% recycling rate for CRV beverage containers.
The project seeks to make it easier for residents and visitors to refill reusable water bottles, thereby reducing single-use plastic waste and encouraging environmentally friendly practices. Kevin Kalman, DRD General Manager, stated, "We are thrilled to bring this project to life. These refill stations are a simple but impactful way to reduce plastic waste and support our parks as places of health, wellness, and environmental stewardship."
The water refill stations will be installed at several DRD sites including Indio Community Center Park, Indio Hills Community Center, Thousand Palms Community Center and Park, La Quinta Community Center and Park, Mecca Regional Sports Park, Oasis Del Desierto, North Shore Community Park & Parque del Pueblo in North Shore.
CalRecycle administers the Beverage Container Recycling Grant Program with the aim of increasing beverage container recycling and reducing litter in California communities. DRD's project aligns with this program’s goals by promoting recycling efforts across various types of containers.
Desert Recreation District is noted as the largest park and recreation district in California. It serves over 380,000 residents across the greater Coachella Valley by managing more than 43 parks and offering numerous programs aimed at enriching community life.