Tag Archives: Sustainability

Plastic Straw Bans: When Regulation Goes Too Far

July 26, 2018Plastics NewsPlastics Reduction, SustainabilityBulletin Bottle

Plastic Straw Bans You know how some corporations and municipalities have banned (or are thinking about banning) disposable plastic straws? Yeah, so…about those straw bans. There is definitely more than one side of the story to consider.

Ok, so there’s plastic pollution. That’s a fact. Straws are plastic, and they’re certainly turning up in oceans, lakes, and other waterways. So, for people who want to see humans consume less plastic, straws are a pretty easy target.

Estimates vary as to how much plastic straw pollution is out there. One report suggests they make up more than 7% of the plastics found in the U.S. by piece. There’s also a stat floating around about how Americans use over 500 million plastic straws a day. Know where this came from? A 9-year-old boy’s telephone poll (from 2011). It goes without saying that there’s major scientific uncertainty over THAT number! Continue reading →

Eimskip, Shipping Containers, and Portland, Maine (Oh My!)

May 21, 2018Company NewsEnvironmental, SustainabilityBulletin Bottle

Recently, I had the awesome opportunity to tour Eimskip, a major transportation company that serves the Northern Atlantic. I was very interested to see how Portland, Maine (our home turf!) has become an integral part of international trade and learn more about how Bulletin Bottle is impacted by businesses like Eimskip.

Eimskip was founded in 1914 and runs a network of 63 offices in 20 countries and operates a fleet of 22 vessels. Not too shabby! Their presence in Portland is large and proud. Continue reading →

Best Promotional Water Bottles: Road Test!

August 9, 2016Bulletin Bottle Products, Staff ReviewsSustainabilityBulletin Bottle

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?

August 14, 2014Plastics NewsEnvironmental, Plastics Reduction, SustainabilityBulletin Bottle

1176247_163711623835029_406430081_n Have 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.

Continue reading →

A Decade of Water Bottles, Reusable Grocery Bags, and Other Swag

June 23, 2014Bulletin Bottle ProductsEnvironmental, Events, SustainabilityBulletin Bottle

Future Bulletins, parent company of Bulletin Bottle [.com], Bulletin Bag [.com], and Funman Promotions [.com] recently celebrated ten awesome years in business. A lot can happen in a decade! Here are ten things that we’re super proud of: Continue reading →

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

April 1, 2014Plastic Bottle Bans, Plastics NewsEnvironmental, Plastics Reduction, SustainabilityBulletin Bottle

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.

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

February 28, 2014Reusable Water Bottle TipsEnvironmental, Plastics Reduction, SustainabilityBulletin Bottle

Using 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?

February 15, 2014Reusable Water Bottle TipsEnvironmental, Events, Plastics Reduction, SustainabilityBulletin Bottle

November 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.

Continue reading →

Flying on Recycled Plastics?

March 8, 2013Plastics NewsSustainabilityBulletin Bottle

In July, British pilot Jeremy Rowsell is planning to fly from Sydney to London in a Cessna powered by fuel derived from plastic waste. The world will be watching, as a successful trip will further the push towards alternative fuel sources.

Continue reading →

Taiwan Group Using Plastic Bottle Waste to Make a Difference

March 5, 2013Plastics NewsRecycled Materials, SustainabilityBulletin Bottle

Taiwan’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.