bottled water news

A new bill was introduced in California today that would force companies to disclose pertinent information to the public about bottled water, according to PlanetSave.

Assembly bill 201, sponsored by the nonprofit Food & Water Watch, would require that all bottling companies disclose to the public the quantity of water they extract, the source of the water, and whether the source is public or privately owned.

Given how desperate we are in California for water, and the fact that we are knee deep in a drought, it is very important to know where water is coming from, especially if it is a local resource.  I mean, would you want your water to go to serving the public, or would you want it going to a private company that is going to re-sell it for profit?

holiday gift suggestion, day 6

For those who don’t know, a big focus of mine is getting people off plastic. A major reason for this is the presence of Bisphenol-A, which, if you don’t, click on the category (to the right) and read up on it. I think that a major step in reducing plastic is getting a reusable water bottle. And, this weekend I learned of another one.

ECOUSABLE

I went to the EcoGift Festival this weekend and happened upon this booth. First off, really great group of people behind this product; knowledgeable, friendly, and very passionate about what they do. I found this bottle unique for a handful of reasons. They are made with stainless steel, they are made locally (to Los Angeles, anyway), and they have a great twist off top. But the COOLEST part of this bottle is the brand new filtration system that is coming out very soon.

Built into the top, is a filter that purifies 65 components out of the water. This means that you can fill your bottle with tap water, and not have to worry about anything. I know that many people lean towards bottled water because they fear contaminants. This is a product that allows you to feel confident in a move away from plastic, because it handles the purification for you.

I think that everyone needs a reusable water bottle. Not only does it help the environment, but it helps you and your health. I know that this product is on my stocking stuffer list for a handful of people, and I hope that it gets onto yours.

The filtration product, I think, comes out this week. Either way, you should get a bottle. You can get more information from their website, HERE.

another argument: for

The Los Angeles Times published a great story today about bottled water vs. tap water. Essentially, concluding that tap water is the way to go.

I would argue it is the way to go for reducing the volume of plastic bottles in our landfills. Their argument is more about the fact that tap water undergoes testing that bottled water is not required to do, therefore you are safer drinking from the tap.

For example: “And while large public water supplies are often tested for contaminants up to several times a day, the FDA requires private bottlers to test for contaminants only once a week, once a year or once every four years, depending on the contaminant.”

Or: “Tap water suppliers are also subject to broader scrutiny; they’re required by law to publish and circulate an annual Consumer Confidence Report, which states their sources of water and any contaminants found. The FDA doesn’t require this of bottled-water makers, and though inspectors can drop in on water-bottling plants, such visits are assigned low priority, FDA press officer Michael Herndon says. Companies also aren’t required to share any contamination episodes with their customers.”

However, they conclude, the real benefit to drinking from the tap…. money savings. And, who couldn’t use a bit more of that. “Price it by the gallon, and water in those single-serve bottles is more expensive than even today’s high-priced gasoline.”

You can find the full article HERE.

how long does it take…?

Because I have always preached that you should buy locally….

A few weeks ago I linked you to a company for water bottles called SIGG. While I still LOVE my bottle and encourage you to purchase a reusable bottle and stop using plastic… I felt I needed to be responsible, and not hypocritical, and share with you a more local company to us in the United States.

KLEAN KANTEEN

Looks to be a great company. So, I encourage you to purchase from them for your bottle.

Remember moving away from plastic not only reduces the amount on non-biodegradable material put into our landfills, it also is the surest way to get away from Bisphenol-A