Last month, Hyundai collaborated with three California universities to host the Fill It Forward Challenge.

The competition challenged students and faculty members from Pepperdine University, Loyola Marymount University, and Santa Clara University to opt for reusable instead of plastic water bottles.

Santa Clara University prevailed with 60,022 water bottle refills. On December 6, Hyundai presented a $100,000 grant to Santa Clara University’s Office of Sustainability at an award ceremony on campus.

Through the Fill It Forward Challenge and Hyundai Drive the Future initiative, the three universities made a significant impact in helping the environment and limiting plastic use. Together, the three universities saved over 790 lbs of plastic, reduced over 3,950 lbs of waste, saved 75,069 kWH of power (enough to power approximately 7 homes for a year), and reduced 57,948 lbs of emissions (equivalent to the emissions released by four passenger vehicles).