Bottled water - is it really better than tap water?

There is a real controversy going on about bottled water today. Is it really better than tap water? “The Story of Bottled Water” was released on YouTube in honor of World Water Day. This is an innovative narration on the problem with the bottled water we like to buy today. Almost immediately the “International Bottled Water Association” stated this video as sensational. Then it brought out its short film stating the practices of sustainability, which their members participate with including brands such as Nestle.

The bottled-water story though stated that the companies that bring out bottled water are frightening consumers into believing their tap water is contaminated and dirty, when at the same time they use tap water in their bottling process. Two of the companies that do this that were mentioned in the video were Coke’s Dasani and Pepsi’s Aquafina. Annie Leonard is doing the narration for this video.

The video points out landfills get about 80 percent of the used plastic bottles or they get burned up. Of course the “International Bottled Water Association” states that things are different that 30.9 percent of the water bottles are actually recycled.

Tom Lauria, the VP of communications for the association, states “Consumers are really quite thoughtful in selecting and enjoying a safe, healthy, convenient, calorie-free beverage that’s delicious, refreshing and a very smart drink choice. That’s the real story of bottled water.”

It is pointed out by the association that the world has a need for bottled water in cases of emergencies such as tsunamis, earthquakes and floods. This water cannot be provided if there is not industry to make it.

But according to the United Nations, bottled water happens not to be a sustainable industry. In the United States alone the water produced takes oil to produce at the rate of 17 million barrels each year. At last resort IBWA’s video had only received 250 hits, while “The Story of Bottled Water” received 120,000 hits.

Today, we do need to be more careful about how many of the plastic bottles windup in landfills. If you must use bottled water reuse the bottles instead of trashing them. Even if you make a vase with them a stick a single flower in them. You alone can decide which side of the bottled water story you want to believe.

More and more people are turning to re-useable bottles and filling them with just plain tap water though in place of buying water. This way no plastic bottles have to be purchase at all to wind up in landfills later. If you are afraid your water is not totally safe to drink from the tap there are filters you can get to run your water through before you drink it.

So think about both sides of this story and see where you opinions lie. Conserve water and energy though to help lessen your carbon footprint. If you need to eliminate some of the bottled water you buy to accomplish this along with re-using or recycling any of the plastic bottles you do use.

First, have a party during the daytime. This way you can use the light of the sun. You won’t have to use electricity to light up your party this way. If you do have a party that goes into the night, consider going with some nice soy candles. They will give you light, you won’t waste electricity, and they provide a great ambiance for your celebration as well.

Another way to go green this Fourth of July is to go outdoors for your celebration. Instead of renting a big room that you have to decorate, just have the party outside. The landscaping can be the décor that you need. Choose an area where there is some shade, put up some tables and chairs, and have a great party to celebrate.

Instead of using paper items of plastic items for your party, go with nice dishes that are reusable. You can go with nice glass dishes for an adult party or go with plastic reusable plates if you are going to have kids around. Using reusable cups and silverware will help cut down on all the waste for that day.

If you want to decorate it, do it in an eco friendly way. Go with a nice centerpiece for your tables. Consider something like flowers in a basket or vase, some floating candles in bowels, or even purchase some small flags to display. They can be used again and again, so don’t throw them away.

Think green when it comes to the refreshments for your Fourth of July celebration as well. Go with fruits and vegetables that are organic to serve all the guests and go with dishes made of whole foods. Try to avoid going with pre-packaged foods so you don’t have as much waste and you cut back on calories too. The environment will thank you and so will the waistline of all of your guests.

These are some simple things that are easy to do on the Fourth of July. Use these tips and ideas this year. You will avoid having a negative impact on the environment. It is also a great way to help teach friends and family members about the green lifestyle that you have chosen too, so you can pass on great information about living an eco friendly life.

And if the Great Pacific Garbage Patch wasn’t enough bad news in a sea of earthquakes, plane crashes, and oil spills, the Great Atlantic Garbage Patch has just been recently discovered. Just like its Pacific counterpart, it is a floating landfill of human garbage, mainly plastic products.

Its specific location has been pinpointed as the area between Bermuda and the Azores Islands, both of which are in the area known as the Sargasso Sea. If the name sounds familiar, it is because the Sargasso Sea is where the legend of the Bermuda Triangle takes place. So now, not only is the Sargasso Sea the graveyard for lost ships and airplanes, it is also the graveyard of our garbage. Call it ironic, indeed.

The Great Atlantic Garbage Patch was discovered by Anna Cummins and Markus Eriksen during their trip to the Sargasso Sea. The duo took samples of the water from the seabed every 100 miles to determine the sea’s composition. Sadly, each time their nets came up, large plastic hauls were present.

Admittedly, many of the plastic materials were hardly the size of pencil erasers. But one must remember that even a small piece of plastic lodged in the digestive system of a small sea animal or a bird can mean the difference between life and death for that creature.

Indeed, this new oceanic garbage patch presents numerous hazards to marine life, fishing activities and tourism in and around the areas concerned. Lest we think that only the Bermudas and the Azores Islands will be affected, think again. Many of the plastic trash in the Great Atlantic Garbage Patch will find their way into distant shores, thus, wreaking more havoc along the way.

So, just how destructive is plastic to marine life and everything that depends on it like the creatures of the land and air that feed on them? Consider these facts: In some areas of the ocean, the ratio between plastic and plankton in terms of weight is 6 is to 1. Of the 200 billion pounds of plastic produced each year, approximately 10 percent will end up in the oceans, of which 70 percent will float down to the ocean floor and 30 percent will form the visible garbage patch that we see on the Atlantic and Pacific oceans today.

As even a fifth grader can imagine, marine wildlife is killed so much so that 100,000 of these creatures, big and small, will die as a result of the oceanic garbage patches. But that damage does not stop there. Plastic debris damage boat and submarine equipment; bury beaches in mountains of trash; and affect the fishing catch of the commercial fishermen.

What can you do to help lessen the trash on these great oceanic garbage patches?
Well, stop drinking bottled water, for starters. And then, you can also organize a recycling drive in your neighborhood. Every little bit of plastic disposed the right way will have an impact on the environment.

It will take hundreds of years for a single discarded pen to decompose - switch to a refillable pen.

Even with the advent of the so-called paperless society, thanks to computers and the Internet, there are still many things, transactions and technologies that need the old-fashioned pen and paper to complete. You have to sign documents ranging from credit card authorizations to formal contracts and everything else in between of various values.

Unfortunately, the use of pen and paper also has a negative environmental impact. Since many articles have already been devoted to the impact of paper, let’s focus on the mighty pen. It is mighty not only to effect change in societies through ideas put to paper but it can also change environments via waste filling up our landfills.

Consider the Statistics
In September 2005, Bic announced that it has sold its 100 billionth disposable pen. If that boggles your mind, just think of the billions more of disposable ballpoint pens manufactured by other companies. To place 100 billion in perspective, think of placing the pens end to end. Now, imagine that the world is literally in your hands. You will discover that the arranged pens can circle the globe 348 times!

And to think that Americans alone purchase a staggering 106 billion disposable ballpoint pens on an annual basis. We shudder to think of just how many pens the world’s two most populous countries – China and India – spend on said pens.

Consider the Impact
In our society where the hunger for instant satisfaction is only matched by the need for instant disposal, pens are thrown away like so much trash just about anywhere. Pens are thrown in drawers, in garbage bags and even by the wayside. And we are not talking about used pens with zero ink in them because most full pens are disposed for no reason at all. Admit it – you have been guilty of such an act many times before and with no thought as to its environmental impact.

So, what is the environmental impact of our careless disposing of pens? Well, think of it this way: The disposable pens will end up in landfills, waterways and in other unforeseen areas where a ticking time bomb will start counting down. Keep in mind that pens are made from plastic that many of us know by now to be non-biodegradable. This means that it will take hundreds of years for a single discarded pen to decompose. Now, when you add 105 billion pens used and discarded per year from the American population alone, you are looking at polluted groundwater and soil.

Unfortunately, there are no known ways to recycle the discarded pens. You can transform them into works of art but it will still be thrown away sooner or later. And the cycle of environmental destruction continues – all because we love our disposable pens. So, what is an environment-loving individual with a liking for pen and paper to do? Well, you should shift to refillable pens.

With proper care, your refillable pen will last for many years to come in your hands. Thus, you will not be adding to the waste in the landfills, not to mention that you can save on the cost of numerous pens bought over the years. Now, that is what we call harnessing the power of the refillable pen for the benefit of the environment, in a manner of speaking.

Don’t Throw Away those Old Mattresses
Think of the many uses from that old mattress. If you don’t want it, there is somebody who wants it. Donate it or give it away. Just don’t dump it anywhere. You can sell it to junk shops buying recyclable items. The wooden frames can still be salvaged and used as fuel, the springs can be converted and the cotton still has practical uses in industrial applications.

Dumping it improperly poses hazards to the environment because mattresses are loaded with flame retardant chemicals. These chemicals can seep into the ground, poisoning the soil and the waterways. Imagine a landfill with millions of old mattresses; that should be enough to jolt you awake to the hidden dangers of improper disposal of mattresses.

Recycling programs can help you with your old mattress. In the US, try Earth911.org; in Australia, there is the Dreamsafe Recycling Program, and in Canada, they have MattCanada. To dispose your old mattress you have to pay a small fee – this is nothing compared to what you can do save the planet. If you are living outside of these places, Google the recycling programs in your country.

Old Tires
Look around for recycling programs in your area and sell them your old tires. Old tires are transformed to flower pots, building blocks, and roofing. A car tire yields four liters of oil, and a kilogram of steel and reusable combustible gas.

Paints
Avoid spilling left-over paint on the ground. Paint is loaded with lead that poisons the soil and the chemicals eventually reach water sources deep down in the soil. Paint brushes should not be washed in the sink, these should be treated correctly. You can ask your recycling program center what to do with your paint. Call the manufacturer; these companies have recycling programs to recycle or reuse paint. If you have a clump of paint, wrap it and throw it to your trash without putting the lid back on.

Batteries
Used batteries are considered hazardous waste. Once your batteries lose power, wrap it. Don’t place it in your bag because it may rupture and leak. Oftentimes there are no drop-off points for old batteries. Write to the manufacturer and inquire about their disposal program. They can advise you and this information must be passed on to your friends and to the community.

Button batteries for hearing aids, watches and greeting cards, batteries for video cameras, wheelchairs and power tools, vehicles, metal detectors, and cameras are classified as hazardous waste and must be disposed of properly.

Knowing what to do with your old stuff can help you help the environment and that is what matters most in these environmentally critical times.

According to estimates, every American produces an average of 7.5 pounds of trash on a daily basis. This number may seem little but when you add it up, said waste will amount to one ton of trash a year! Now, multiply that with the US population and you will quickly realize why we need to recycle our wastes lest we find ourselves on sinking boat of trash. With that being said, here are ten more reason to recycle now.

1. It Makes For Good Economy
Recycling makes good economic sense in many ways. Many states profit from recycling revenues, often running in the billions of dollars, which can then be poured into making the economy stronger. It does not hurt either that our country exports its recycled products to other nations. Also, many companies rely on recycled materials to produce new products.

2. It Creates Jobs
The recycling industry is on a roll. As such, it requires manpower that means more jobs even in these recessionary times. In fact, the industry earns more than $236 billions annually, employs more than 1 million workers and continues to do so.

3. It Reduces Waste
This is a no-brainer as recycling is intended to lessen the wastes in our landfills. And you should know by now of the negative impact of landfills on the environment in the form of toxic leaks into the soil, which breeds a host of other societal problems.

4. It Is Eco-Friendly
Another no-brainer as recycling does utilize fewer natural resources and require lesser energy, not to mention lessening the burden on the landfills and other trash areas of the nation.

5. It Saves Energy
Instead of using virgin materials that require greater energy expenditures to transform into their final forms, recycling old materials utilize only about half of the energy. Take the case of recycling aluminum, which saves on 90 percent of costs necessary to make aluminum from scratch.

6. It Lessens the Burden on the Land
Take the example of a company that contacted local contractors to use their stockpiled mountains of glass to use as substitutes for sand and gravel in building roads and highways. You can just imagine the space said stockpile will take in the landfills.

7. It Mitigates Global Warming
Each waster material that we recycle means fewer amounts of greenhouse gases being emitted into the air, thus, mitigating the effects of global warming. We are now experiencing its effects but we can still do something about it.

8. It Reduces Water Pollution and Use
There are many ways with which this is possible. One, transforming recycled materials into new products often requires less water. Two, toxic leaks from landfills are lessened with fewer trash in them. We all end up with healthier, cleaner and clearer water.

9. It Protects Wildlife
Because there is lesser need to harvest the forests of its riches – trees, that is – the habitats of many wild animals are spared. As such, we are protecting the wildlife.

10. It Creates New Demand for Recycled Products
Thanks to the ripple effect, the process of making and buying recycled products create a new demand for them. And the good cycle of recycling starts again and again to the benefit of society and of the environment.

Keep in mind that every little paper, tin can and other junk that you recycle benefits not just you and your immediate surroundings but the national economy and international community as well.

If saving the planet is important to you, then one of the ways that you can go green is to stop using those plastic bags when you go shopping. Of course, you may be tired of using those plain old bags at the market, which is why designer canvas totes and market bags have become so popular. Now you are able to look good while you work on saving the environment.

More than Going Green
These reusable bags are about a lot more than going green these days. In fact, you simply need to talk to a French woman and you’ll find out that these bags aren’t just a necessity for saving the environment, but they are now considered fashion accessories as well. With the green crowd, these market bags and tots are a really hot option. There are more and more people who are starting to take bags of their own when they go shopping, and most major stores now have their own “green bags” available for sale to customers.

Of course, today the crafters out there are getting out there in to the market for market totes and bags. They are a hot item and many crafters are taking canvas tote bags for shopping and really dressing them up. This way consumers have the ability to go green in style when they go out shopping.

Designer Trends
Now these bags are becoming a designer trend. Laura Bush, and activist and a model is selling her own bags on the web. These bags are beneficial to you and they also benefit charitable programs as well. Many of the top designers out there are getting in on this trend and creating designer fashion bags for the market that people can purchase and carry with them to the store. No doubt these designer bags for shopping are only going to become more popular.

A Look Around the World
As you look around the world, there are more and more countries that are starting to turn away from plastic bags and go to a more environmentally friendly option. China is one country that has done this. They have totally banned the use of plastic bags, which has definitely increased the market for canvas tots and market bags. China used to use more plastic bags than America, and now they are no longer doing this, helping to save the environment.

Even just a small cheap reusable bags you can purchase at the market can hold the amount that 3-4 plastic bags could hold. So, if you can’t afford to go with a designer option right now, even purchasing a cheap bag can help you to work on saving the environment. Wondering why these bags haven’t been outlawed in the United States? Well, if you’d like to see this happen, consider talking to your local congressional representative and telling them you’d like to see this happen in the United States. When many people use their voice, changes can be made.

Styrofoam, which is a trademark name of polystyrene, is a type of plastic and often used as a material for packing. You can find it in expanded foam, in packing peanuts, in various trays for food, and many different products. The problem is that this material is made from petroleum, which makes it very flammable, and it contains benzene in it, which is a carcinogen.

The Environmental Problem
So why is Styrofoam a problem for the environment? It is often used in the packaging of various appliances, but it takes a long time for it to be broken down. This means that animals can end up ingesting the foam, which can cause them to starve to death, and often this foam sits in landfills for years.

Because of the nature of this Styrofoam, it is amazing that it is still allowed to be used for food packaging. Styrofoam often even comes in direct contact with food, in things like packaging for meat. There are some cities in the United States that have actually done the right thing and banned the use of polystyrene when it comes in direct contact with food.  If you take a look at products and packaging, if they have polystyrene in them, you will see a recycling triangle of them and the number six will be inside of the logo triangle.

More than likely it will be some time before Styrofoam is no longer made. While you can work to purchase products that don’t use it in any way, you also need to learn how you can deal with the polystyrene that ends up in your own hands instead of sending it off to a landfill somewhere. Many recycling programs do not accept polystyrene for recycling and it is hard to store it since it is pretty bulky. Polystyrene can be recycled, so you definitely need to tell others about working on recycling Styrofoam.

Should You Burn It?
There are some people that think burning their Styrofoam is the best choice for getting rid of it. However, there is a problem with this option. When you burn it, it releases a gas known as styrene gas. This gas can affect your nervous system. Often you can’t get the high temperatures needed to totally get rid of it and toxic chemicals end up being produced because of the low temperature you have when trying to burn at home. So, this is not the best option for getting rid of Styrofoam.

Options for Recycling
While burning is not a good option, there are some things that you can do to keep Styrofoam from ending up in landfills anytime soon. One great option is to use it to pack things. Perhaps you are sending out packages and need some packing material to keep something from breaking. Break down some Styrofoam and make your own packaging peanuts to reuse it. Often craft shops have use for this Styrofoam, since they use it for art projects. Check with Earth911.com as well. They can let you know what companies in your area will take back polystyrene so you can get rid of it.

Nowadays, we face a dilemma between our greed for electronics and our need to protect the Earth. On one hand, we have to possess the latest in information and communication technology in order to be part of the goings-on in the world. On the other hand, we have to throw away the obsolete consumer electronics we possess and, hence, become part of the destruction of the earth.

So, what should a budding environmentalist do? Well, you can recycle your old gadgets, of course! And doing so is so easy that you can teach others to do the same, thus, perpetuating the good cycle of environmental conservation. And did we mention that you can also earn money from recycling your old gadgets?

Resell for Money
No matter how obsolete your old gadget is, at least where you are concerned, somebody somewhere will be more than willing to take it off your hands for a good price. For example, you can hold a garage sale for your old gadgets in your yard, sell them on online auction sites like eBay, advertise them in your community and even dispose of them through a thrift shop.

You can actually take back a fraction of its purchase price when you re-sell it, which you can then add to your budget for the new gadget. Of course, you must be very careful to remove all signs of personal information like bank information for your own safety and security.

Donate to a Worthy Cause
If you are averse to selling your old stuff, you can always donate it to a worthy cause. With many poor institutions and people in this country, you ought to find somebody who will be very glad to make use of your electronic cast-offs. For example, maybe you have a relative who cannot afford a computer. Or a school may need donated computers for lack of funds, you can donate your gadgets. In this recession, you will find somebody somewhere who will appreciate something that’s free.

Check with the Manufacturer
Some manufacturers will accept old units for recycling of re-usable parts and for proper disposal of the rest. Or you can trade-in your old gadget for a newer model, if the policies allow. Doing a little research on the company’s environmental record is a good first step in determining whether you should recycle with them or not.

Ask Local Authorities
Your local government officials should be able to point the way to government and private recycling facilities near you. This way, you can save on transportation costs while saving the environment from the harm inflicted by an improperly disposed gadget.

Browse the Internet
The Internet is a rich source of recycling organizations that will recycle your old equipment for you. Often, you just need to ship it to them and let them take care of the rest. And if you are lucky, you may even save on shipping and handling costs as some recyclers send vouchers and/or stamps for this purpose. Look up FreeMesa, FreeCycle, and Recycle It America, to name a few.

Maybe, and here’s why. There’s a wide variety of foods kept in glass bottles and jars, and glass is recyclable. And glass doesn’t have the chemical bisphenol A (BPA) as part of its makeup – which may keep you, and your loved ones, a whole lot healthier.

Nearly all can liners contain BPA, and this chemical leaches into the foods contained within. BPA can leach out of polycarbonate plastic water bottles, as well.

The can and bottle industry insist that BPA is perfectly safe in the levels that are present in these leached out foods. Tests were conducted in the 1980s, on lab rats, to verify toxicity levels, and found them to be safe.

However, some scientists disagree. According to Frederick vom Saal, Ph.D., a developmental biologist at the University of Missouri, for example, BPA mimics naturally occurring estrogen, a hormone that is part of the endocrine system, the body’s finely tuned messaging service. “These hormones control the development of the brain, the reproductive system and many other systems in the developing fetus.” Endocrine-disrupting chemicals can duplicate, block or exaggerate hormonal responses. “The most harm is to the unborn or newborn child.”

Vom Saal points out that hormone disruption can occur with low doses of BPA, which is why the tests conducted in the 1980s don’t tell the whole story.

BPA is omnipresent. Indeed, ninety-five percent of Americans (who were tested) were found to have this chemical in their urine in a 2004 biomonitoring study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

While tests are continuing to attempt to settle the controversy once and for all, the fact remains that BPA could be harmful to newborns. Why take that chance? Switch over to glass containers today.