For those of you who have joined the challenge (which is almost over by the way), here is what Grist's Umbra had to say about some re-useable water bottles...
Manufacturing plastic is resource-intensive and yields various nasty emissions that contribute to global warming and degradation of water quality. It's made from non-renewable resources, and for all intents and purposes, it never biodegrades (although some specialized variations have been made specifically to do so). Yes, we'll run out of oil eventually, but we'll always have our plastic garbage. Add to this the growing suspicion that plastic use may lead to serious health problems.
I would generally advise against using plastics in food- and beverage-related applications.
The contradictions you see in the press are a mix of confusion about types of plastic, misinformation, and bona fide scientific uncertainty about the effects of an entirely new group of substances. Snopes.com addresses purported links between PET (#1) and DEHA (di-2-ethylhexyl-adipate), a potential carcinogen, links which are apparently based on a study later shown to be bogus. PET evidently does not contain DEHA, and the carcinogenic properties of DEHA itself are hotly debated.
Nalgene bottles, made of polycarbonate (#7) or "Lexan," are more closely linked to bad stuff, specifically an ingredient called bisphenol-A (BPA). BPA is an endocrine disruptor that mimics estrogen and has been linked to aneuploidy, adipogenesis, and other scary problems with funny names. Drinking water or eating food containing leached BPA may cause chromosomal disruption, miscarriages, birth defects, or obesity. Eek!
#1 bottles are okay; #7 bottles are no good.
Moving on, I would categorically avoid PVC (#3), aka vinyl, for food containers or anything else. It truly is an evil plastic, practically a fount of dioxin. PVC containers and PVC film can contain oft-debated ickies DEHP and DEHA, and some contain softening phthalates linked to liver and kidney damage and testicular problems. Also, polystyrene (#6) is yucky -- it's made of styrene, and you don't want any styrene in your precious bod, trust me.
That leaves us with the winners of this dubious contest: HDPE, LDPE, polypropylene, and limited use of PET.
Glass vessels will work in low-impact situations, and I've seen metal canteens that may suit your needs. It's the biking and hiking and bungee jumping that pose a problem.
From the Brooklyn Green Team: Try Sigg water bottles and Swellz
Grist
Showing posts with label water bottle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label water bottle. Show all posts
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Curbing the Water Bottle in NYC
Many of you are signed up for or at least know about Brooklyn Green Team's No Disposable Water Bottle Challenge! (if you're signed up - keep up the good work - one month to go!). Our friends at Corporate Accountability International launched the Think Outside the Bottle campaign, and as a result here in New York City, here are some related initiaties to kick the disposable lifestyle:
New York, NYCity's Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and Department of Environmental Protection are sponsoring a $700,000 campaign to promote tap water over bottled water.
Del Posto, New York, NY Owners Joseph Bastianich and Mario Batali plan to serve filtered tap water in containers etched with reasons why unsustainable practice of serving bottled water was ceased.
Hunter College launched an on-campus Think Outside the Bottle Campaign
Birdbath Neighborhood Green Bakeries, East Village and Greenwich Village, New York, NYOwner Maury Rubin banned bottled water at his bakeries, starting with the East Village location in 2005.
NYU has an on-campus Think Outside the Bottle Campaign
What can you do?
Join the Brooklyn Green Team challenge (email No More Bottles! to brooklyngreen@gmail.com or learn about actions you can take by visiting Think Outside the Bottle)
New York, NYCity's Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and Department of Environmental Protection are sponsoring a $700,000 campaign to promote tap water over bottled water.
Del Posto, New York, NY Owners Joseph Bastianich and Mario Batali plan to serve filtered tap water in containers etched with reasons why unsustainable practice of serving bottled water was ceased.
Hunter College launched an on-campus Think Outside the Bottle Campaign
Birdbath Neighborhood Green Bakeries, East Village and Greenwich Village, New York, NYOwner Maury Rubin banned bottled water at his bakeries, starting with the East Village location in 2005.
NYU has an on-campus Think Outside the Bottle Campaign
What can you do?
Join the Brooklyn Green Team challenge (email No More Bottles! to brooklyngreen@gmail.com or learn about actions you can take by visiting Think Outside the Bottle)
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
NATIONAL Shout-Out For Brooklyn Green Team!
In today's newsletter of www.stopglobalwarming.org (for which you visit and join the virtual march in the fight against global warming) they included the Brooklyn Green Team! They were inspired by our announcement and YOUR participation in the three-month No Disposable Water Bottle Challenge. Here is what they had to say:
February 12, 2008
WATER BOTTLE CHALLENGE
Inspired by our friends at Brooklyn Green Team, who are running their own "No Disposable Water Bottle Challenge," we would like to challenge our virtual marchers to give up disposable water bottles. Start with a commitment not to purchase any plastic bottled beverages between now and Earth Day (April 22).Every year, Americans throw away over 22 billion plastic bottles, the majority ending up in landfills. Across the country, only 10 percent of plastic water bottles are recycled, says a report from the New York state Department of Conservation. Bottle production requires millions of barrels of oil, and the bottles create toxic air pollution as they are incinerated with regular trash. As the Brooklyn Green Team puts it, it's time for us all to "kick the disposable lifestyle."
How Exciting! Please email BGT at brooklyngreen@gmail.com and write SIGN ME UP! to join the challenge.
February 12, 2008
WATER BOTTLE CHALLENGE
Inspired by our friends at Brooklyn Green Team, who are running their own "No Disposable Water Bottle Challenge," we would like to challenge our virtual marchers to give up disposable water bottles. Start with a commitment not to purchase any plastic bottled beverages between now and Earth Day (April 22).Every year, Americans throw away over 22 billion plastic bottles, the majority ending up in landfills. Across the country, only 10 percent of plastic water bottles are recycled, says a report from the New York state Department of Conservation. Bottle production requires millions of barrels of oil, and the bottles create toxic air pollution as they are incinerated with regular trash. As the Brooklyn Green Team puts it, it's time for us all to "kick the disposable lifestyle."
How Exciting! Please email BGT at brooklyngreen@gmail.com and write SIGN ME UP! to join the challenge.
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