Janet Miller has been walking up Tumamoc Hill on and off since the late 1990s. In recent years Miller noticed a large number of single-use plastic bottles in the recycling bins and being carried by other walkers. She wanted to try and do something about it.
In June, Miller raised money on the fundraising website Generosity by Indiegogo to purchase reusable plastic water bottles.
In six days Miller raised enough money to buy 900 BPA-free water bottles.
Miller asked Tucson artist Kathleen Koopman to create a graphic design to be screen-printed on the bottles. She also had 500 stickers made with the design.
Miller and volunteers stand at the entrance at Tumamoc Hill to catch walkers carrying single-use water bottles. In exchange for giving up their single-use bottle, Miller gives them the reusable in the hopes they will not buy anymore single-use bottles.
“I believe people who walk the hill are tuned in environmentally, they just needed a tiny nudge,” says Miller. She keeps the interaction upbeat — she doesn’t want to the walker to feel like they’re receiving a lecture.
As of Wednesday, Miller had 350 bottles left, and will be out at Tumamoc Hill until they’re gone.
