Drinking water filters are becoming increasingly popular, due in part to recent news reports about drugs and hormones in tap water, along with everything else that’s in there. But, if you currently drink bottled water, there are other good reasons to  buy an at-home drinking water filter.

News agencies throughout the United States and Canada have been raising questions about the safety and purity of bottled water since the year 2000. But it appears that consumers are not paying much attention. The sale of bottled water since that time has grown exponentially, from millions of gallons in 2000 to billions of gallons in 2006.

The economical and environmental impact of all of those bottles is huge. Scientists and environment experts from around the world are recommending drinking water filters as a less expensive, safer and more environmentally friendly alternative.

First of all, the fact is that most bottled water comes from a tap. A major bottled water company was recently required to remove the words “spring water” from its label, replacing the words with “purified drinking water”.

In other words,  with a good drinking water filter, you can make your own “bottled” water at home.

It costs less, tastes better and you can be confident in the purity.

It has been estimated that 80% of the plastic bottles used for water end up in the landfills, most of which are reaching capacity. If we do not stop throwing away all of those bottles, we are going to have to find new places to put our trash.

Some of the companies that sell drinking water filters also sell reusable glass bottles. You fill them up from your own faucet, with its new drinking water filter. When they are empty, you pop them in the dishwasher. When they’re clean, you fill them up again. The glass bottles typically come in packages of six, so you can store a six pack in the fridge and everyone will have fresh, chilled, pure drinking water.

Another problem with the plastic bottles is that it takes water to make them, six times the water that is in the bottle. It also takes oil to make them. The Pacific Institute estimates that in 2006, the production of plastic bottles for drinking water required 17 million barrels of oil.

Manufacturing the bottles produces carbon dioxide, which contributes to global warming, further threatening our water supply. Additional carbon dioxide is released by the trucks, trains and ships used to transport the bottles from the manufacturer to the marketplace.

You can help by switching from bottled water to  a drinking water filter for your home . You might think that you alone cannot make a difference, but the estimate is that each of us is drinking about 22.6 gallons of water out of plastic bottles per year.

Since it takes water to make the bottles, each of us could save 135 gallons for the planet by switching. The bottom line is that drinking water filters protect the health of your family, while protecting and saving our natural resources. So, buy a good system and drink up.

By: Laurel Tevolitz

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Laurel Tevolitz is a dedicated researcher of critical issues that affect health and well-being.

Visit her water purification blog now at www.safewaterpurifier.com/pristinewater.htm to discover which water purification system she recommends after extensive research.

Choosing a water filtration system

ADVANTAGES. Cheap; Removes bacteria and other micro-organisms effectively. DISADVANTAGES. Concentrates metals; does not remove. fluoride; chlorine; metals; sediment. Related Tips Tap, bottled or filtered? Remineralize your water …  

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“The bottled water essentially was free of chlorine and fluoride,” said Rice. The filtered water doesn’t have any chlorine but does have almost the same amount of fluoride as the unfiltered tap water. 

Is this water corked?

Lets face it, most people don’t fef change their filters often enough as they are so expensive, so they are kidding themselves as to the quality of the “filtered” water. Consider also the number of those filters going to landfill. … Yes, it contains chlorine, but the most worrying additive is Fluoride. Flouride is industrial waste from the aluminium industry, one of the most toxic and reactive substances known, and is added to our water supply as a result …

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If you are concerned about the environment and usage and storage of water you may want to consider the delivery option. For those looking for ways to protect the Earth, bottled water delivery has many benefits.

Bottled water delivery companies have been among the first to begin reusing and recycling plastic bottles. And consumers can also recycle single-serve bottles. Learn more about how consumers can take an active role in "going green" when it comes to bottled water delivered to their homes and purchased in stores.

With all of the recent environmental concern about bottled water and recycling plastic bottles, you may be wondering how you can get the pure taste of bottled water that you love without impacting Mother Earth. Bottled water delivery is one approach to greener living that consumers are taking advantage of more and more. The majority of the larger bottled water containers that are used in bottled water delivery services can be sanitized and reused, and when they can no longer be used, they can be recycled by the water delivery provider. Another approach is to go green by recycling plastic bottles from single-serve containers as well as encouraging friends and co-workers to recycle.

Going Green with Bottled Water Delivery

Throughout the United States many consumers and businesses are electing to purchase bottled drinking water instead of tap or well water, whether from the grocery store in single-serve containers or from a bottled water delivery service. The trend is clearly on the rise. A recent study of the bottled water industry indicates that U.S. bottled water sales and consumption continue to multiply at double digit rates as consumers and businesses increasingly choose bottled water as a beverage of choice¹. With this notable increase in bottled water sales has come increasing concern about the impact of plastic bottles on the environment.

Contrary to what the general public often believes, the bottled water industry was among the first to begin recycling plastic bottles. The industry was founded by utilizing the reusable container system of the Home and Office (HOD) delivery segment. The bottled water that is provided by bottled water delivery services typically comes in 3 or 5-gallon bottles that can be used by the consumer, then picked up by the water bottle provider, sanitized, sterilized, repackaged, and sent back to the consumer. The exact number of time that these bottles can be reused varies, depending on where the bottles are stored and how much they are handled, but oftentimes they can be used for several years. These bottles can be delivered to your home or office and they can also be purchased at major retail locations.

Bottled water offers a healthy alternative to other beverages that container sugar and calories, and home and office bottled water delivery offers ease and convenience to consumers and businesses. The quality of product and service offerings in the marketplace differs significantly. Therefore, it is beneficial to the consumer to investigate any potential bottled water supplier with care. Bottled water delivery companies work hard to protect the environment, and urge those that enjoy their products to do the same.

Consumers’ Role in Going Green

The qualities spurring bottled water’s growth are clear. Many consumers recognize it to be healthy and safe. So, you may be wondering how you can continue to enjoy your favorite bottled water while lessening the impact on the environment. There are many actions we can take to reduce the amount of waste we generate or that we send to the landfill. Making recycling plastic bottles a habit and promoting recycling at home and in the office is a huge step towards going green. Challenge yourself, as well as your family and friends, to see how much waste you can reduce from your weekly curbside pickup.

Did you know that 100% of bottled water containers are recyclable, where facilities exist? Take advantage of your community’s recycling program, if one is available. For consumers that have recycling programs available through their municipality or locality, check your local phonebook to contact them and learn about recycling programs in your community and how to obtain the curbside recycling bins.

Recycling program guidelines differ depending on the area, so check with the local recycler regarding specific expectations and preparation of the materials. Here are some general guidelines:

• Separate caps, lids, or easily removable labels from the plastic prior to recycling plastic bottles.
• Rinse containers
• Step on the bottle or container to reduce its volume before placing it in your recycling container

If you are not currently using a bottled water delivery service, recycling should be encouraged away from home as well. To obtain specialized recycling bins that are made for the office, church, school or special events, contact your local recycler.

A note of caution–although it is tempting, refilling single-serve water bottles with tap water and reusing them repeatedly is not recommended due to potential sanitation concerns. Continually refilling these water bottles with tap water, without cleaning or sanitizing the bottles in between can introduce harmful bacteria to the water that should not be consumed. Recycling plastic bottles or using a bottled water delivery service that sanitizes bottles and then recycles them is a much better alternative for you, your family and the environment.

Conclusion

Amid concerns of the impact of bottled water on the environment, it is time to step up and take action to go green. There are several options that enable you to continue to enjoy the benefits of bottled water while lessening the impact it has on the environment. Taking advantage of a bottled water delivery service at home and in the office, as well as promoting and recycling plastic bottles, are two ways in which you can go green.

References

1. International Bottle Water Association Press Release dated April 13, 2006; http://www.bottledwater.org

About the Author

Joseph Silva is the Director of Marketing for DS Waters. DS Waters is a bottled water manufacturer and distributor of Alhambra, Belmont Springs, Crystal Springs, Hinckley Springs, Kentwood Springs, Sierra Springs, and Sparkletts. For more information on home or office water delivery, visit Water.com.

By Joseph Silva

Designpedia, Amazing design-news 

Recycled Plastic Bottle Igloo Building. “Because Americans drink 70 million disposable bottles of water each day, with just 10 million making their way to a recycling bin, Jasmine wants to help spread the word about recycling 

Get Your Green On 

These rubber mats are made from old plastics and other rubber goods that have been recycled. While you are at the playground, also take a look at the benches. Many benches are being made out of recycled plastics but it does not stop there. … It is one thing to put your plastic water bottle into a bin and quite another to see the marvelous ways it is being reused. It is positive reinforcement that your actions are helping the environment in very great ways 

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T-shirts, aprons, tote bags, baseball caps all can be found containing polyester made from recycled plastic. Advertise your company or non profit and help the environment too. Recycled products has a big selection of recycled plastic 

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At some point over the last few decades, water bottles became de rigueur for anyone with the least pretensions toward being cool. The trend had (and continues to have) a direct relationship with our society’s current obsession with health. “Drink eight glasses of water a day!” “Stay hydrated!” These were the mantras of the 90s, and such commands continue to be popular in the 21st century. The result is a dizzying array of options for taking water with you wherever you go.

Bottled water has become a staple of American life, and many people will drink nothing but. Granted, the quality of tap water in the United States varies greatly by geographic area. Those individuals lucky enough to live in the Pacific Northwest, for example, are able to drink runoff water from the Cascade Mountains. This water is “soft,” meaning that it contains few or no minerals. As a result, the water from these mountains has a clear, light taste. Unfortunately, not everyone lives next door to a mountain range. Some areas of the country, such as Texas, often have “hard” water, or water with a high mineral content. Although hard water has not been proven to be detrimental to human health, it undeniably tastes a bit odd. As a result, many people in such areas prefer bottled water, and who can blame them?

When it comes to water bottles, the simplest option is to reuse the plastic bottles of bottled water. As previously mentioned, many people already purchase bottled water. It is offered by numerous brand names, including Kirkland, Fuji, Crystal Geyser, Pellegrino and many others. The bottles of any brand can be reused innumerable times, creating an instant water bottle. This approach works well in locations with drinkable tap water, but may not appeal to those in certain geographic areas. Also, it should be noted that it is difficult to effectively clean the bottles of bottled water. If they are not thoroughly cleaned with soap and water, bacteria can form and sicken the drinker.

Beyond the option of reusing plastic bottles, there is the option of the manufactured water bottle. These come in a plethora of styles, designs and colors, and they can cost anywhere from $5 to $30. Manufactured water bottles fall into two main categories: plastic and metal. For the past decade or so, the Nalgene water bottle has reigned supreme. This bottle comes in a variety of colors and has a large mouth, making it easy to fill and clean. The plastic loop connecting the lid to the bottle makes it popular with hikers, as it can be used to attach the bottle to a backpack. Other manufacturers of plastic water bottles include CamelBak, SIGG and Klean Kanteen.

However, the past year or two has seen a drop in the popularity of the Nalgene bottles. Some recent studies have shown that the plastic used to make these bottles may be toxic. Although there is, as yet, no consensus on this point, some people have decided that discretion is the better part of valor and traded in their plastic water bottles for metal models.

Metal water bottles have the advantage of being quite durable, and they are generally considered safe from the toxic risks of bpa plastic counterparts.

By: Victor Epand

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

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Victor Epand is an expert consultant for sweatpants, sweatshirts, outdoor gear, sports clothing, and model motorcycles. Click here when you want to find sweatpants, sweatshirts, outdoor gear, water bottles, and model motorcycles.

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