Access to clean drinking water is a basic human right, yet thousands of people living without stable housing struggle to find it every day.

Refill Hope is a nonprofit that plans to install solar-powered refillable water stations that provide free, cold, filtered water to those in need, while encouraging community cleanup through a litter-for-water exchange system.

What Each Machine Will Offer:

• Free water to unhoused individuals, 24/7

• Accepts trash donations in exchange for gallons of water (up to 5gallons per exchange)

• Keeps neighborhoods clean while promoting dignity, hydration, and hope

Together, we plan to create a cycle of care:

Cleaner streets → Cleaner water → Stronger communities

(This design concept created by the founder, was drawn to demonstrate a rough idea of what the machines may look like. We are currently working to find the right manufacturer that shares our same drive and passion to help others.)

The Station Design

Every Refill Hope machine will include:

• Automatic cold water dispenser (reverse osmosis filtration, up to 5 gallons at a time)

• Insulated, smell-proof trash compactor with eco-bag dispenser

• Barcode scanner & tracking system for litter exchange

• Solar panel & built-in cameras for power and safety

• Simple touchscreen interface showing how to use the station

The Process

1. Donation & Setup:

Each station will be donated to a community location, gas stations, shelters, strip malls, or storefronts. Sponsors help determine where they’re most needed and help in securing water lines and location placement.

2. Trash-for-Water Exchange:

• Participants receive a barcoded eco-bag.

• When they return it filled with litter, they scan it at the station.

• The system records their donation and adds 1 gallon of free water to their account (up to 5 gallons per drop-off).

3. Access for Unhoused Individuals:

• Partner shelters distribute refillable 32oz bottles with QR codes.

• Scanning their bottle dispenses free clean water 24/7.

4. Public Participation:

• Anyone can scan the public QR code for a free first gallon.

• Refills cost just $0.25 per gallon (up to 5 gallons for $1).

• Every purchase funds free water for the community.

• Anyone can request a free litter bag to earn additional water credits and benefit from the litter exchange program!

5. Community Impact Tracking:

Each refill station will log data through an app and website:

• Gallons dispensed

• Trash bags collected

• Sponsor impact reports

• Total community benefit

Sponsors will receive a year-end impact summary showing how much water they provided and the litter their location helped remove.