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SweetTooth
I'm a tired mommy!
Member since 12/05 20105 total posts
Name:
Lauren
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Re: Spinoff to two topics: Going green and bottled water
whoa. I have to stay this took a turn where I did not want it to go.
YES I do have a tendency to stand on my soap box at times, but I did not directly quote anyone. It was just the number of 35 bottles a week that stood out to me. I am sorry if I offended that person.
When I said "how does that not disturb you," I wasn't referring to that person, I was referring to the general public not being disturbed by the amount of waste. Perhaps that came out wrong.
I do not drive an SUV. We actually only have one car, a 4-cylinder Toyota. We are turning that car in this summer and looking at all the possibilities. DH wants an SUV. I have told him I will not agree to that unless it is a crossover 4-cyl with the same gas mileage as a regular car and would prefer if it was a hybrid.
We would actually like to get a dual-fuel vehicle or even better yet, a fuel-cell vehicle, but unfortunately, those options aren't available yet in this area.
I don't think I really need to defend my environmental impact. I do as much as I can. It is hard with my DH who used not care, but I have really worked hard on turning hm around and we do a lot.
I consider myself pretty well-educated on Long Island's water. I have taken many classes on the subject matter as part of my bachelor's and master's degrees, so the things I say about our water come from that, not things I have heard.
The water we are using today is no where near the surface. It is water from thousands of years ago coming from one of the deepest aquifers. So any pesticides, fertilizers, etc are not in the water you drink today (unless you are using well water.). However if we continue to use these harmful things, then the people who live here in the future truly will have something to worry about.
There are many bottled water companies that use municipal water as their source, so I don't really see the difference.
Anyway. I don't know what else to say about this. I am truly disheartened that some took my OP as a personal attack. It was not meant in that way.
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Posted 1/10/08 10:06 AM  |
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Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
leighdvm
My golden boys!
Member since 3/06 4419 total posts
Name:
Michele
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Re: Spinoff to two topics: Going green and bottled water
I just wanted to add my 2 cents.....
I've been ignorant, oblivious and selfish when it comes to "going green" up until a few months ago, thanks to some of the posts here at LIF. I have now bought those reusable shopping bags from Trader Joes and love them (that was a great post). I buy mostly (not all, I have to have my rice a roni) organic food.
I happen to have a very fuel efficient car, so that's not an issue, but when the time comes to buy a new one, I plan to look for a hybrid (if I can afford it), otherwise, another car similar to what I have now.
As for the plastic bottles, I am glad this thread was posted because to be honest, I just never thought about it (like I said above, oblivious and ignorant). When I went food shopping last night, bottled water was on sale, 2 cases for $7 and I just kept walking. I'll drink my tap water. Even though my water is from a well (I'm in NC), I have a filtration system in my house so I don't really have a fear about drinking it.
I wish posts like these will keep coming, they really do open my eyes to things I never cared to think about before.
BUT, I will say that it doesn't have to be "preachy". To be honest, this post did come across that way. ETA: I just saw your post above and that you didn't mean it that way.....cool, then! 
Message edited 1/10/2008 10:17:20 AM.
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| Posted 1/10/08 10:15 AM |
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greenfreak
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Member since 9/06 11483 total posts
Name:
greenfreak
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Re: Spinoff to two topics: Going green and bottled water
Posted by Kissy331
Like you said, you don't like when people say "preach" but that is what you are doing. If you have an opinion & I have an opinion & you are ok with my opinion, there would be no back & forth like there is. When you are trying to convince someone to view things one way, you go back & forth. I have stated my reasons for why I do things & you don't agree with them, that is fine but nothin you say will make me change what I CHOOSE to do. 
I'm preaching because we are having a discussion? I thought that was the point of LIF, to discuss points of view, differing or not. You chose to post your opinion here, and you and I are discussing the differences in our opinions. How is that preaching?
I'm not telling you that you are a horrible person for not doing as I do. I'm not telling you that I'm a better person for what I do. I think I'm being pretty constructive and reasonable in my responses and not personally attacking anyone. I suppose if you feel differently, there is not much I can do about that.
Back and forth is just part of a conversation otherwise I'd be talking to myself.  If you just want to state your opinion and move on, you can stop replying to me but I wish you wouldn't. I enjoy talking about this and enjoy the idea that other people just might be reading this and questioning what more they can do.
What I say honestly only comes from optimism, and it truly is not my intent to put you down. The longer this thread stays on the first page, the more people are going to read it, the more consideration is going to be taken on this subject.
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| Posted 1/10/08 10:44 AM |
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Ophelia
she's baaccckkkk ;)
Member since 5/06 23378 total posts
Name:
remember, when Gulliver traveled....
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Re: Spinoff to two topics: Going green and bottled water
Posted by greenfreak
. The longer this thread stays on the first page, the more people are going to read it, the more consideration is going to be taken on this subject.
you ARE optimistic.
some of the shyte I've read here makes me think there is no hope.
people are comfortable. people are selfish. people don't want to inconvenience themselves. (myself included, but I a TRYING)
to not know is one thing, but to know and not give a crap...well, that is just the saddest thing.
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| Posted 1/10/08 10:50 AM |
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SweetTooth
I'm a tired mommy!
Member since 12/05 20105 total posts
Name:
Lauren
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Re: Spinoff to two topics: Going green and bottled water
Posted by leighdvm
I just wanted to add my 2 cents.....
I've been ignorant, oblivious and selfish when it comes to "going green" up until a few months ago, thanks to some of the posts here at LIF. I have now bought those reusable shopping bags from Trader Joes and love them (that was a great post). I buy mostly (not all, I have to have my rice a roni) organic food.
I happen to have a very fuel efficient car, so that's not an issue, but when the time comes to buy a new one, I plan to look for a hybrid (if I can afford it), otherwise, another car similar to what I have now.
As for the plastic bottles, I am glad this thread was posted because to be honest, I just never thought about it (like I said above, oblivious and ignorant). When I went food shopping last night, bottled water was on sale, 2 cases for $7 and I just kept walking. I'll drink my tap water. Even though my water is from a well (I'm in NC), I have a filtration system in my house so I don't really have a fear about drinking it.
I wish posts like these will keep coming, they really do open my eyes to things I never cared to think about before.
BUT, I will say that it doesn't have to be "preachy". To be honest, this post did come across that way. ETA: I just saw your post above and that you didn't mean it that way.....cool, then!
Michele, your post give me hope that I can make a little bit of difference! I was getting very downtrodden by the responses here.
Thank you!
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| Posted 1/10/08 10:52 AM |
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Diane
Hope is Contagious....catch it
Member since 5/05 30683 total posts
Name:
D
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Re: Spinoff to two topics: Going green and bottled water
Posted by dm24angel
What I find funny is all of you complaining about tap water...why dont you do something about it?
Your worried about tap water causing cancer.....but if you continue to use the plastic bopttles , there wont be a PLANET to have cancer on ....
Yes Im being dramatic...but I appreciate more the responses of " I try "...and tell us what you try to do to reduce your consumption of plastics...
Or by showing facts etc...
The water on LI is regulated...if you did research you would see that your much more likely to get sick from your Poland spring water then from water from LI that might or might not have been infected with this or that.
I understand people like certain things etc, but really, you need to do research before spreading things around.
There are people who wont drink tap water b/c someone says that their aunts cousins brothers wife had cancer....
Education is key in this debate...
I dont drink the tap water because it tastes GROSS
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| Posted 1/10/08 1:05 PM |
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Ambersmom
Straight up nasty
Member since 5/05 7740 total posts
Name:
Sharon
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Re: Spinoff to two topics: Going green and bottled water
I have to drink bottled water at work since the water resource here is "questionable". There is an extremely high rate of cancer patients within my company and I'm convinced it's partially due to the water supply within the building.
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| Posted 1/10/08 1:21 PM |
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shiv
Twinsanity!!
Member since 5/07 4747 total posts
Name:
Shiv
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Re: Spinoff to two topics: Going green and bottled water
Posted by SweetestOfPeas
Posted by SweetTooth
Posted by dita
I'm guilty of it. But I recycle them.
I thought it was ok as long as your recycle them. No?
The waste from the actual bottle is only part of the problem. You also have to factor in the energy used to make the bottles, the energy used by the plant to bottle the water, the fuel that is used to transport the bottles from the plant to the stores, the energy used by the stores, the fuel used by you to transport the water from the store to your house. Or the fuel used by the delivery truck to bring the bottles from the storage facility to your house.
those bottles of water provide jobs to many people who support their families.
to say it is not cost effective is 1 thing, but breaking it down the way you did is a bit much IMO.
I agree, you can go on like that for any product out there- even organic veggies- they need transport to the stores also. Your reaching...
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| Posted 1/10/08 2:17 PM |
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Brittny817
LIF Toddler
Member since 8/07 410 total posts
Name:
Brittny
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Re: Spinoff to two topics: Going green and bottled water
Posted by MrsB-07
I was concerned about this two - so once a week DH and I each buy a bottle of water and then we just keep refilling that one bottle. We have a filter on our tap and I have a water cooler at work. That's good enough for me!
That's what we do. Once we really can't use it anymore we recyle them.
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| Posted 1/10/08 2:20 PM |
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Goobster
:)
Member since 5/07 27557 total posts
Name:
:)
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Re: Spinoff to two topics: Going green and bottled water
Posted by leighdvm
I just wanted to add my 2 cents.....
I've been ignorant, oblivious and selfish when it comes to "going green" up until a few months ago, thanks to some of the posts here at LIF. I have now bought those reusable shopping bags from Trader Joes and love them (that was a great post). I buy mostly (not all, I have to have my rice a roni) organic food.
As for the plastic bottles, I am glad this thread was posted because to be honest, I just never thought about it (like I said above, oblivious and ignorant). When I went food shopping last night, bottled water was on sale, 2 cases for $7 and I just kept walking. I'll drink my tap water.
I wish posts like these will keep coming, they really do open my eyes to things I never cared to think about before.
I think you brought up some great points about how sometimes it just doesn't occur to people. But threads like this do open eyes.
I consider myself pretty Earth conscious but i never really thought about the gas used to transport items. And now due to this I will, and I will try to cut back even more on certain items.
I think threads like this really do help to open the eyes of some people, and that is one more step in helping our Earth. Every single person's actions DO make a difference.
Great post LeighDVM.
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| Posted 1/10/08 2:23 PM |
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SweetTooth
I'm a tired mommy!
Member since 12/05 20105 total posts
Name:
Lauren
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Re: Spinoff to two topics: Going green and bottled water
Posted by shiv
Posted by SweetestOfPeas
Posted by SweetTooth
Posted by dita
I'm guilty of it. But I recycle them.
I thought it was ok as long as your recycle them. No?
The waste from the actual bottle is only part of the problem. You also have to factor in the energy used to make the bottles, the energy used by the plant to bottle the water, the fuel that is used to transport the bottles from the plant to the stores, the energy used by the stores, the fuel used by you to transport the water from the store to your house. Or the fuel used by the delivery truck to bring the bottles from the storage facility to your house.
those bottles of water provide jobs to many people who support their families.
to say it is not cost effective is 1 thing, but breaking it down the way you did is a bit much IMO.
I agree, you can go on like that for any product out there- even organic veggies- they need transport to the stores also. Your reaching...
reaching for what? why is every fact I state on this thread argued?
organic veggies do not require the same amount of energy as manufacturing a plastic bottle.
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| Posted 1/10/08 2:25 PM |
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Whamtastic
LIF Adult
Member since 1/07 997 total posts
Name:
Big Fat Baby with a Blackberry
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Re: Spinoff to two topics: Going green and bottled water
Posted by shiv
even organic veggies- they need transport to the stores also.
Buy local 
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| Posted 1/10/08 2:33 PM |
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shiv
Twinsanity!!
Member since 5/07 4747 total posts
Name:
Shiv
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Re: Spinoff to two topics: Going green and bottled water
local veggies still need to be driven somewhere unless you go to the actual farm, which would require you drive there. I was just trying to say the OP's post about water being traspoorted to here and than there was just going a little far. Everything requires transport unless you grow it in your backyard and there's just not enough land space on LI for that.
I am in total agreement that bottled waters are waste, I just thought that argument was reaching.
EFS
Message edited 1/10/2008 3:51:50 PM.
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| Posted 1/10/08 3:49 PM |
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Preguntas
it's pretty precious
Member since 1/07 3839 total posts
Name:
Lauren
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Re: Spinoff to two topics: Going green and bottled water
Posted by shiv
Posted by SweetestOfPeas
Posted by SweetTooth
Posted by dita
I'm guilty of it. But I recycle them.
I thought it was ok as long as your recycle them. No?
The waste from the actual bottle is only part of the problem. You also have to factor in the energy used to make the bottles, the energy used by the plant to bottle the water, the fuel that is used to transport the bottles from the plant to the stores, the energy used by the stores, the fuel used by you to transport the water from the store to your house. Or the fuel used by the delivery truck to bring the bottles from the storage facility to your house.
those bottles of water provide jobs to many people who support their families.
to say it is not cost effective is 1 thing, but breaking it down the way you did is a bit much IMO.
I agree, you can go on like that for any product out there- even organic veggies- they need transport to the stores also. Your reaching...
I disagree- I think breaking it down like that is important to fully conceptualizing the actual impact of things. It's not cost efficient to leave your lights on all day- but the environmental impact is deeper than your wallet. Why not explain that.
It seems that sweettooths stance is that we should REDUCE.
Recycling is great. Reusing is better than nothing. But reducing is the most effective way to make a difference. I think her point is very valid. And the same arguement can be made for anything- including vegetables, organic or not. But it's not feasable to grow all of your own food. It is feasable to put a filter on your faucet, you know?
Making a difference where you can is the point.
And the arguement to go organic is not about saving fuel from shipping trucks, its about pesticides. There are better alternatives to everything we do- and a huge array of reasons to change- her point is very valid.
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| Posted 1/10/08 4:40 PM |
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yankinmanc
Happy Days!
Member since 8/05 18208 total posts
Name:
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Re: Spinoff to two topics: Going green and bottled water
My local organic, vegan supermarket sells pears from Peru. Why bother to eat organic if the pears are coming all the way from Peru... I don't get that!!!
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| Posted 1/10/08 4:43 PM |
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Ophelia
she's baaccckkkk ;)
Member since 5/06 23378 total posts
Name:
remember, when Gulliver traveled....
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Re: Spinoff to two topics: Going green and bottled water
Posted by racheeeee
My local organic, vegan supermarket sells pears from Peru. Why bother to eat organic if the pears are coming all the way from Peru... I don't get that!!!
I was watching a segment on BBC world news were prawns caught somewhere off England/Wales were then shipped to Thailand to be deveined and shelled/processed then sent back to the UK to be sold to consumers.
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| Posted 1/10/08 5:06 PM |
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SweetestOfPeas
J'taime Paris!
Member since 3/06 32345 total posts
Name:
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Re: Spinoff to two topics: Going green and bottled water
Posted by SweetTooth
Posted by shiv
Posted by SweetestOfPeas
Posted by SweetTooth
Posted by dita
I'm guilty of it. But I recycle them.
I thought it was ok as long as your recycle them. No?
The waste from the actual bottle is only part of the problem. You also have to factor in the energy used to make the bottles, the energy used by the plant to bottle the water, the fuel that is used to transport the bottles from the plant to the stores, the energy used by the stores, the fuel used by you to transport the water from the store to your house. Or the fuel used by the delivery truck to bring the bottles from the storage facility to your house.
those bottles of water provide jobs to many people who support their families.
to say it is not cost effective is 1 thing, but breaking it down the way you did is a bit much IMO.
I agree, you can go on like that for any product out there- even organic veggies- they need transport to the stores also. Your reaching...
reaching for what? why is every fact I state on this thread argued?
organic veggies do not require the same amount of energy as manufacturing a plastic bottle.
my DH works in the transportation industry. Many fruits/veggies need to be transported in refrigerated trucks, whether organic or not. keep in mind that many trucking co's are paid by the lb for food and refrigerated transportation. which is the most expensive form of transportation in the country. not only do you have to pay the driver, you have to fuel the truck, you have to pay for extra fuel to keep the truck refrigerated, maintain the refrigeration unit, the trailers are heavier because they are insulated, and that equipment is expensive to run and maintain.
transporting foods that require refrigeration is AT LEAST twice as expensive as non-refrigerated transportation, like bottled water. if you are going to compare the costs of transporting a truckload of bottled water as compared to a truckload of refrigerated organic foods, then, the organic foods are going to be much more expensive and hazardous to the environment...i don't know how much it costs to grow organic foods, but i do know they are more expensive than other foods, and they are labor intensive, and cost just as much to transport as other commodities. trucking companies always seek to max out their trucks with all the frieght and lbs they can to maximize their profit margins....
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| Posted 1/10/08 6:55 PM |
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Kierasmom
I love my kids
Member since 5/05 2885 total posts
Name:
Jenn
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Re: Spinoff to two topics: Going green and bottled water
Posted by GoldenRod
Posted by Kierasmom
Personally I drink bottled water because I know way too many people who grew up in my town that have suffered from cancer, specifically breast cancer. And the town I grew up has some of the worst water on the island. As a matter of fact they had sent a letter out saying don't drink the water, it's dangerous. This scares me. Yes I don't know where some of the bottled water comes from. But until I hear a report about the bottled water that I drink being dangerous I will continue to drink it.
http://www.foodnavigator-usa.com/news/ng.asp?id=69827-wegmans-bromate-bottled-water
Bottled water containing cancer-causing bromate above the level allowed by America's food safety watchdog has been pulled from shelves by one of the country's upmarket retailers.
I don't drink this brand of bottled water so I'm really not too concerned. When Poland Spring or one of the other major brands of bottled water comes out with a report that says their water is harmful then I will rethink it. At this point I am more comfortable drinking bottled water than tap water so I will continue to do so. I may change my mind in the future but as of today I am staying with my bottled water.
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| Posted 1/10/08 6:57 PM |
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~Colleen~
my loves...
Member since 5/05 9129 total posts
Name:
guess
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Re: Spinoff to two topics: Going green and bottled water
Posted by SweetestOfPeas
my DH works in the transportation industry. Many fruits/veggies need to be transported in refrigerated trucks, whether organic or not. keep in mind that many trucking co's are paid by the lb for food and refrigerated transportation. which is the most expensive form of transportation in the country. not only do you have to pay the driver, you have to fuel the truck, you have to pay for extra fuel to keep the truck refrigerated, maintain the refrigeration unit, the trailers are heavier because they are insulated, and that equipment is expensive to run and maintain.
transporting foods that require refrigeration is AT LEAST twice as expensive as non-refrigerated transportation, like bottled water. if you are going to compare the costs of transporting a truckload of bottled water as compared to a truckload of refrigerated organic foods, then, the organic foods are going to be much more expensive and hazardous to the environment...i don't know how much it costs to grow organic foods, but i do know they are more expensive than other foods, and they are labor intensive, and cost just as much to transport as other commodities. trucking companies always seek to max out their trucks with all the frieght and lbs they can to maximize their profit margins....
I'm not really understanding how "expense" = "hazardous to the environment". You're using the same amount of gas to transport both products...yet one is biodegradable (organic produce) and the other isn't (plastic). The argument falls short, imo.
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| Posted 1/10/08 7:02 PM |
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charon54
My two boys!
Member since 5/05 7279 total posts
Name:
Rebecca
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Re: Spinoff to two topics: Going green and bottled water
Those of you who refill the bottles should be careful. You can only refill them a certain amount of times because they start harboring bacteria.
There is a number on the bottom of the bottle, that's how many times you can refill it.
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| Posted 1/10/08 7:12 PM |
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greenfreak
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Member since 9/06 11483 total posts
Name:
greenfreak
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Re: Spinoff to two topics: Going green and bottled water
I finally found a source on the safety issues surrounding reusing water bottles:
Plastics FAQ
and because I never trust a source with something to gain, I went to the FDA website but I'm having a really hard time finding anything relevant.
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| Posted 1/10/08 7:30 PM |
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SweetestOfPeas
J'taime Paris!
Member since 3/06 32345 total posts
Name:
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Re: Spinoff to two topics: Going green and bottled water
Posted by ~Colleen~
Posted by SweetestOfPeas
my DH works in the transportation industry. Many fruits/veggies need to be transported in refrigerated trucks, whether organic or not. keep in mind that many trucking co's are paid by the lb for food and refrigerated transportation. which is the most expensive form of transportation in the country. not only do you have to pay the driver, you have to fuel the truck, you have to pay for extra fuel to keep the truck refrigerated, maintain the refrigeration unit, the trailers are heavier because they are insulated, and that equipment is expensive to run and maintain.
transporting foods that require refrigeration is AT LEAST twice as expensive as non-refrigerated transportation, like bottled water. if you are going to compare the costs of transporting a truckload of bottled water as compared to a truckload of refrigerated organic foods, then, the organic foods are going to be much more expensive and hazardous to the environment...i don't know how much it costs to grow organic foods, but i do know they are more expensive than other foods, and they are labor intensive, and cost just as much to transport as other commodities. trucking companies always seek to max out their trucks with all the frieght and lbs they can to maximize their profit margins....
I'm not really understanding how "expense" = "hazardous to the environment". You're using the same amount of gas to transport both products...yet one is biodegradable (organic produce) and the other isn't (plastic). The argument falls short, imo.
the use of fuel to transport produce far exceeds the use of fuel to transport bottled water
eta: what about all the jobs the bottled water industry provides? 10's of thousands of families (or even more) rely on that industry for a living. if those people lost their jobs, people would start crying about how bad the economy is. its a never ending cycle.
the bottom line IMO - live and let live. there is nothing wrong with feeling passionate about your stance and posting about, but I think it's wrong to shove it down peoples throats. people will always do what's best for them in the longrun.
Message edited 1/10/2008 7:41:39 PM.
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| Posted 1/10/08 7:35 PM |
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nov04libride
big brother <3
Member since 5/05 14672 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: Spinoff to two topics: Going green and bottled water
Posted by greenfreak
I finally found a source on the safety issues surrounding reusing water bottles:
Plastics FAQ
and because I never trust a source with something to gain, I went to the FDA website but I'm having a really hard time finding anything relevant.
Wow, this is really helpful. It sounds like regular bottles aren't meant to be reused.
"Consumers should clean any drinking container with hot soapy water and dry thoroughly between uses. Bottles specifically designed for extended reuse are often made with wide openings that allow consumers to use cleaning instruments and easily dry them"
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| Posted 1/10/08 7:46 PM |
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dm24angel
Happiness
Member since 5/05 34581 total posts
Name:
Donna
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Re: Spinoff to two topics: Going green and bottled water
Posted by charon54
There is a number on the bottom of the bottle, that's how many times you can refill it.
The one in the triangle is the recycle number...
I have never seen a number on the bottom of the bottle?
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| Posted 1/10/08 8:08 PM |
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sunnyplus3
:)
Member since 11/05 8749 total posts
Name:
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Re: Spinoff to two topics: Going green and bottled water
I've been at work all day & just trying to catch up on this thread now.
My suggestion for those people that drink a lot of bottled water daily & are looking to reduce plastic waste without risking bacteria & other possible problems from reuse is to buy your bottled water in the largest container possible-ideally water cooler size & use empty glass snapple (or other brand)bottles.
Glass manufacturing is much friendlier for the planet, glass bottles can be run in the dishwasher many, many times & recycling glass is easy & effective.
My DH takes two glass bottles filled with drinks from home to work everyday. I pop them in the dishwasher after dinner & refill them & put them in the fridge before bed.
I also wanted to say that I think its terrific that these topics have inspired LIFers to change their thinking & take action
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| Posted 1/10/08 8:34 PM |
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