Tag Archives: Sustainability

Best Promotional Water Bottles: Road Test!

This photo was taken from a car that was chock-full of water bottles!
This photo was taken from a car that was chock-full of water bottles!

I recently traveled across the country with my family—and some of our employees’ favorite water bottles. Two weeks and 3000 miles later, I definitely have an opinion as to what the best promotional water bottles on our site are. My needs may not match yours, but I can say without a doubt that these are my favorites…and are worth every penny! Continue reading

Is the Drink Up Campaign Bad for Our Environment?

1176247_163711623835029_406430081_nHave you heard of Michelle Obama’s Drink Up initiative? Well, it launched about a year ago as a collaboration with Partnership for a Healthier America and promotes water consumption with kids.

Of course, we think this is a powerful, positive movement. BUT organizers have joined forces with the American Beverage Association to help get the message out and make water “hip” with America’s youth. Do you see the problem? If you guessed that tap water isn’t a product offered by the American Beverage Association, you’re right.

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Why Is National Park Service Slow to Adopt Plastic Water Bottle Bans?

In 2010, we told you about Colorado National Monument’s ban on the sale of disposable water bottles. What we didn’t tell you is that the ban nearly fell apart in the eleventh hour. Dasani Water made a big push to stop the ban—and almost succeeded—just days before it was to go into effect.
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At the same time, National Park Service abandoned its plan to end disposable water product sales in 75 percent of all visitor facilities by 2016. Continue reading

Using Reusable Water Bottles: Five Tips for a Successful Switch

nobottledwaterUsing reusable water bottles is a smart decision! They’re better for the environment than disposable bottles, because they generate less waste. They’re better for your wallet, because tap water costs less money. And, they’re better for your body, because you’ll always have a trusty water bottle at your side!

Are you ready to make the switch to using reusable bottles, but aren’t sure how to turn that idea into practice? Here are some tips to get you started: Continue reading

Recycled, Recyclable, Reusable—What’s the Difference, Anyway?

america_recycles_day.jpgNovember 15 has marked America Recycles Day since 1997. It’s the only nationally recognized day dedicated to the promotion of recycling in the United States.

But what’s the difference between a recycled water bottle, a bottle that’s recyclable, and a reusable water bottle? The three words are often interchanged, but they shouldn’t be.

A recycled bottle has been made from materials that have been previously used. These “materials” are often referred to as post-industrial waste and post-consumer waste.

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Taiwan Group Using Plastic Bottle Waste to Make a Difference

blanketsTaiwan’s largest charity, Tzu Chi Foundation, has found a way to make a difference with plastic bottle waste.

The foundation runs 5,400 recycling stations across Taiwan with the help of more than 76,000 volunteers. They work through a13-step process that turns plastic bottle waste into blankets, which are in turn used for relief use—both at home and abroad. Since 2007, they have distributed nearly half a million blankets.

For the volunteers in charge of crushing the plastic bottles, who are from two nearby nursing homes for the mentally ill, the recycling work has also become part of their therapy.

Taiwan started recycling plastic more than a decade ago and today it boasts more than 70% recycling rates, according to the Environmental Protection Administration.

Why Can’t Customized Water Bottles Be Used For the Inauguration?

recycle_plantIn August, Senator Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) announced that Saratoga Springs bottled water will be served at this fall’s Presidential Inauguration.  Many groups openly voiced their opposition, including DC Water, the utility who provides Washington’s tap water. They all believe tap water should be used to tout our nation’s municipal water system (not to mention save lots of money). After all, isn’t this an event celebrating the USA and its ingenuity?

The General Manager of DC Water asked Schumer to “reconsider your selection of bottled water and instead support the nation’s drinking water systems by choosing DC tap water.

”DC tap water is a penny per gallon and bottled water costs 100 times more,” said George Hawkins.  He also offered to provide free reusable water bottles and free water testing in congressional buildings.

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A Car Built from Recycled Water Bottles?

It’s not built entirely from plastic water bottles, but Ford’s new Focus Electric car features Repreve seat fabric. The fiber, manufactured by Unifi, is made from a hybrid blend of recycled materials—including the equivalent of more than 20 plastic bottles per car!

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Unifi officials say 22 plastic, 16-ounce water bottles are used in the seat fabric of a single Focus Electric. The figure is based on the amount of Repreve branded fiber used in the production of fabric in each vehicle.

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