What can you do to still have a regular supply of pure water and not go wild on the plastic containers in the form of dozens of bottles of water it often comes in?

Concerned about the Environmental Impact of Bottled Water? Go Green with Bottled Water Delivery and Proactive Recycling

Learn How Bottled Water Delivery and Recycling Plastic Bottles Can Help the Environment

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 choice

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 times 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.

Toxic BPA plastics are being replaced by safer alternatives such as PET plastic

Many consumers recognize it to be healthy and safe although some would still argue that it is not. The debate is still open. Some argue that tap water is safe and others claim it is not.

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 Programs

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

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

By Joseph Silva Published  11/6/2007  Food & Drink , Environment

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

Got Water?

When is the last time you bought bottled water? Why did you do that? You just paid a dollar for something that comes out of your tap for free. In the States, the water that comes out of the faucet is totally safe. Here, it is not. 

Water Filtration: Safe Drinking Water from Thin Air

Anyone who has ever tasted “plasticy” bottled water or chlorinated tap water will know that taste is the real test of any filtration system. Dewpointe claims that its water is more pure than anything you’ll get out of your tap

Contaminated Drinking Water in Our Schools

Roughly one of every five schools with its own water supply violated the Safe Drinking Water Act in the past decade, according to data from the Environmental Protection Agency analyzed by the AP. In California’s farm belt, wells at some schools are so tainted with pesticides that students have taken to stuffing their backpacks with bottled water for fear of getting sick from the drinking fountain. 

Technorati Tags: containers, contaminated, drinking, filtration, plastic, recycling, safe, sanitation, sanitize, sanitizing, tap, water

In times of emergency we may realize that clean water is of prime importance

Then we start to look for places or containers to store it. It is here that we must be careful what we use.

How Not to Store Water

In an emergency survival situation, you may be tempted to store water in any available container.

However, when you can, plan for emergency water storage, your water storage options can be better defined. Let’s start with what not to store water in:

• Containers that can’t be sealed tightly
• Containers that can break, such as glass bottles
• Containers that have ever held any toxic substance
• Plastic milk cartons or bottles
• Hard plastic bottles made with polycarbonate plastics and identified by the #7 recycling symbol
• Used pre-packaged water bottles

Any containers that can not be sealed tightly are not a good choice for water storage as contaminants may easily enter the container. While glass bottles are easily cleaned and may seal well, their breakability and weight make them to be less desirable for emergency water storage use.

Obviously, you would not intentionally store water in any container that previously held a toxic substance. Such substances can not be adequately cleaned from the walls of the container. If you don’t know what was in a particular container – it should not be used. The biggest problem with plastic milk cartons is their inability to be resealed, plus they are difficult to clean and break down over time.

We now know that hard plastic bottles made with polycarbonate plastics and identified by the #7 recycling symbol, may leach BPA (Bisphenol A) and should not be used for water storage. The type of plastic bottle in which water is usually sold is generally a #1, and is recommended for one time use only. Do not refill these pre-packaged water bottles.

It is plastics made with BPA, used for example for baby bottles and plastic dishes that are used in the microwave that need to be avoided

Not all plastics are harmful however so it is a good idea to become aware of which ones are safe

Protect your world by making a plan for your home, business and school.

Choose the right emergency preparedness supplies

Safe plastics

• PET plastics: examples include some soft drink, water and sports  bottles and jam jars.They are not known to leach any toxic chemicals

• High density polyethylene or HDPE for short and Polypropylene are plastic containers used for water, juice, ketchup and milk bottles, margarine and yoghurt tubs, rubbish bags and grocery shopping bags.There is no evidence of these containers leaching any cancer causing chemicals

• Low-density polyethylene  such as frozen food bags is not known to leach any chemicals that are suspected of causing cancer

How to Store Water

Refill your emergency water storage container with tap water. You should dump and refill each container every 6 months to keep it fresh.

TIP: Using a garden hose to fill containers from an exterior hose bib can result in water that has a distinct plastic or rubbery taste. Instead, try using a potable water hose found at most RV service centers.

All public water supplies are already treated and should be free of harmful bacteria. However, as an additional precaution, it is recommended that you add 5-7 drops, about 1/8 teaspoon, of chlorine bleach per gallon of water stored. This precaution protects you against any lingering organisms in storage containers that may have been inadvertently missed during the cleaning process.

Water preserver Concentrate

You may also extend the storage life of your water by using a product called Water Preserver™ Concentrate.

This is a liquid additive that disinfects, preserves and extends the safe storage life of emergency drinking water. Water Preserver™ provides 5-year storage guaranteed for regular tap water or commercial bottled water. Water Preserver™ kills and prevents the re-growth of Coliform bacteria and other disease-causing microorganisms for 5 years, when used as directed. Water Preserver™ kills the pathogenic organisms responsible for typhoid, dysentery and other serious diseases, and also kills and prevents growth of yeast, mold, fungi and algae which also make water undrinkable.

Do not store your emergency water supply in the attic due to the potential for excessive floor loading (water weighs 8.3 lb/gallon) and leakage. Don’t stack containers over 2 high and secure them from falling over, especially in earthquake zones.

If possible, store emergency water in a cool dark place. To increase the shelf-life of water stored in translucent containers, group the containers together in dark plastic bags to keep out the light.

Store your water supply away from gasoline, kerosene, pesticides, or similar substances that give off vapors.

Recommended Water Storage Containers

Plastic water bottles are very convenient for carrying water around when we are on the go, as they don’t break if we drop them. However, it is worth paying attention to the type of plastic your water bottle is made of, to ensure that the chemicals in the plastic do not leach into the water. To be certain that you are choosing a bottle that does not leach chemicals, check the recycling symbol on the bottle. If it has a #1, #2 HDPE (high density polyethylene), a #4 LDPE (low density polyethylene), or a #5 PP (polypropylene), your bottle is fine.

Survival quantities of water can be purchased in small single-use packages including juice boxes and pouches. Such water is packaged with a 5 year shelf-life as approved by the U. S. Coast Guard. Larger quantities of water may be stored safely in approved containers such as 2 gallon plastic bags, 5 gallon containers or 55 gallon barrels. A key consideration with larger containers is the inability to move them or carry them very far once they are full.

Cleaning Water Storage Containers

Assuming you are using an approved storage container as noted above, follow the steps below to clean your container.

Step 1: Drain all water from your emergency storage container. Keep in mind, you do not have to throw this water away, it can be used to water plants, the lawn, or even give the dog a bath.

Step 2: Mix dish washing soap and clean water and pour into your storage container. Agitate the container so that the soap and water mixture hits all of the cracks and crevices and internal surfaces including the cap or pour spout.

Step 3: Thoroughly rinse your water storage container several times with clean tap water to remove any soap residue.

Step 4: Mix a solution of 4 cups water and 1 tablespoon of chlorine bleach (with 5.25% – 6% sodium hypochlorite as an active ingredient) for every gallon of water your storage container holds.

WARNING: Do not use scented or “color safe” bleach products. Liquid bleach loses strength over time. If the bleach is a year old, double the amount to 2 tablespoons. Two year old bleach should not be used. Bleach should be stored out of direct sunlight and away from heat to avoid deterioration.

Step 5: Pour the bleach solution into the container and close the top of the container and shake it, roll it and swish the solution around in the container until it has been well rinsed Allow the solution to sit in the bottom of the container for at least thirty minutes. This solution will clean several containers.

Step 6: Open the container and pour the solution into the next container, assuming it is the same size. Repeat the rinsing action described in Step 5. When done, dispose of the bleach solution in a load of white laundry in your washing machine.

Step 7: Thoroughly rinse the container(s) several times with clean tap water. If any algae or discoloration is visible, do not reuse the container.

Dangers of Water Storage

If water is stored improperly (in heat, lid not tight, outside air comes in contact with the water, etc.), or if the freshness/expiration date is exceeded, the water may become contaminated.

Vapors from gasoline, kerosene, pesticides, paint or similar substances can permeate Polyethylene plastic containers (water, milk, and bleach bottles) and affect the water quality. Thick-walled polyethylene containers are significantly less permeable to such vapors.

Stored water may eventually develop a disagreeable appearance, taste, or odor. A lot of times people will refer to stored water “tasting flat.” This condition can generally be resolved by pouring the water from one container to another, back and forth about three or four times to aerate the water.

Public water agencies don’t chemically treat drinking water with the intent of keeping it preserved forever. While Chloramine is a good preservative, public drinking water is not designed to have a long shelf-life. When you pour water into a container, don’t assume it will last forever.

Author: Jim Serre

Copyright © 2009 GetReadyGear.com

Jim Serre has over 30 years of engineering, safety and corporate training experience. He is an Office of Emergency Services qualified Search & Rescue Unit member in two northern California counties. He has provided Emergency Training to thousands of citizens in neighborhoods, businesses and faith-based groups and is a certified instructor for FEMA’s Community Emergency Response Team training. His knowledge of survival and preparedness skills make him uniquely qualified to design emergency kits that can save your life. For more emergency preparedness information see his website at www.getreadygear.com.

Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_780467_27.html

Protect your world by making a plan for your home, business and school.

Choose the right emergency preparedness supplies

Technorati Tags: bottles, buy, clear, container, containers, drink, drinking, empty, plastic, refilling, storage, used, water

If you are looking to automate the process of applying labels, especially for cylindrical products such as plastic water bottle containers you need a special labeler to make the job easier

For small businesses that offer bottled products, custom labels are needed to compete with the big boys. In the past, it wasn”t a big deal to apply labels on the container without the use of a bottle label applicator because the demand for bottles was light and manageable.

But then the demand for your product increased which led to more work and less time. So with the help of a bottle label machine you can apply more labels on the bottle with less time. Bottle labeling applicator is a revolutionary machine perfect for small business owner. You can get manual bottle labeler machine which is used to label wide range of bottles from a small pharmaceutical bottle to a large gallon jug. Features of Manual Bottle label applicator are easy to operate, light and portable and exact label placement.

Bottle Labelers are used to label water bottles or any other cylindrical objects. It is very easy to use a bottle labeler machine, simply insert the cylindrical container and press the foot switch. Once the foot switch is on, it will just take 4.5 per second to label a container.

Most water bottles are labeled in less than 2 seconds. As the process is very quick and simple, a user can remove the bottle and insert another in less than one minute. Once the rhythm is established bottles will be labeled very quickly. Many online stores provide a guarantee for bottle labeling machines. If you are not happy with their service you can return back their machine within a few weeks. Bottle labeling machines can label test tube size up to 1.5 gallon bottle. Label cylinders are 15″ length. If a person manually does label work, he may insert only 100 to 200 labels in water bottles within 1 hour. But if you use bottle labeling machine more than 1000 labels can be inserted in one hour.

Bottle labeling machines are suitable for labeling bottles of different shapes, sizes and material such as glass and plastic. There are various types of bottle labeling machine such as Wrap-Around, Top/Bottom and Front & Back Bottle labeling machine. Certain features of labeling machine are it is user friendly, constructed of stainless steel and aluminum alloy for rust-free performance.

A Label Dispenser is used to label Ampoules, Glass bottles, Pet bottles, Tins, Pouches, Cassettes, Floppy Disk, Square box, Containers, Syringes etc. Label applicator are used in various industries like food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, personal care products, electronics, Health care, Agriculture, Pesticides, FMCG Distribution, logistics, handling etc.

Alex powell is an expert author, who is presently working on the site label dispenser He has written many articles in various topics. For more information about bottle label applicators. Visit our site bottle-labeler.com/

Article Source: ArticleSnatch Free Article Directory

Technorati Tags: applicator, automatic, bottle, containers, label, labeler, labelers, labeling, labeller, labelling, maker, plastic, printer, water

Containers are the answer to a clutter free world

Well, that may be over simplifying it, but containers go a long way when you have an organizing dilemma. Do not go out and just start buying containers thinking then you will be organized. Containers can become clutter too. Here are eleven tips to help you select and use the right container in your home.

Measure the space where you are going to put the container. Measure the height, width and depth. Make a note of the room you will use it in. When you go to the store remember to take these measurements with you. It is so exciting to see all the containers that stores offer you may forget why you are there and buy containers you don’t need.

Consider where it will be used and buy accordingly. If it is going to be out of site, in a storage room or in the garage buy the heavy duty containers rather than those purchased for their looks as well as for their purpose.

Buy containers that can be stacked on top of each other for storage. These would be heavy plastic, or they could be clear plastic bins if heavy items aren’t going to be stored in them.

If you are going to store items like food or water either at home as plastic water storage tanks, drinking water containers, or as an  office water cooler look on the bottom of the container where there is a number in a triangle. Plastic containers with #3 and above are safe to store food items in. Numbers 7 & 8 are best. A plastic container lower than a #3 will leak toxins.

>> Get A Top Drinking Water Filter System Here!

To store china or other breakable dishes use plastic padded containers. They come with dividers for cups as well. After putting the china in the containers then place in a hard plastic tub for extra protection if you plan on moving. The china containers cost about $20.00 for the round ones. There are also boxes ideal for square plates. They sell for about $30.00.

Glass containers are great for the kitchen as they don’t pit and discolor. Glass is not recommended for the bathroom in the tub/shower area because it is breakable.

Linens, quilts, or blankets should not be stored for a long period of time (Over one year) in plastic. There are cloth bags on the market for these items. Plastic sweats which can cause fabric to rot.

Baskets made of bamboo, or wicker are ideal to be used anywhere in the home as they are attractive and functional. They can be cleaned by wiping with a damp cloth. They can be used for magazines, books, crafts, to give as gifts or to package gifts in as part of the gift.

Containers for seasonal storage can be color coded. Red/green for Christmas, pink for Easter/spring, blue for snowmen/winter, red for summer/4th of July, orange/black for Halloween or Thanksgiving. It is easy to pick the right bin for the right holiday when the bins are color coded.

Cloth containers are ideal for clothing, if storing a valuable dress such as a wedding dress, formal or other type of clothing ties rather than a zipper are best as the zipper can rust and it can get on the clothing.

Use containers to organize all drawers from the bedroom to resource drawers. The purpose of containers is to contain-drawers will stay neat and tidy when there are limits to what can go in them and where the item is to stay.

Before buying any container look around your home and see if you can use containers in other ways than originally purchased. Such as; a jar for buttons, a tin that held mints for change in the car, the plastic zippered bag that sheets came in can be used for craft projects, let your imagination run wild. Do not buy a container just because it is cute or pretty. And don’t buy because it is on sale and you think you might be able to use it someday, unless you use it, it has the potential to just become more clutter.

Marilyn Bohn’s Bio

Marilyn is a creative organizer who has been organizing for over 20 years. She is a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers and is working towards becoming a Certified Professional Organizer. Professionally she has been organizing homes and offices for over two years. She holds a bachelors degree in Social Work. She has reared five daughters and currently lives in Utah.

Marilyn invites you to visit her website http://www.marilynbohn.com where you can find free organizing tips and interesting blogs and helpful articles on organizing.

Originally published on SearchWarp.com for Marilyn Bohn Monday, April 07, 2008
Article Source: Eleven Tips to Know Before Buying a Container

Technorati Tags: container, containers, drinking water, office, plastic, storage, tanks, water, water cooler

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 …  

Which water is best?

“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 …

Filtered Water Or tap Water? (Or Water On The Brain! A Short Video)

Technorati Tags: bottle, bottled, bottles, containers, coolers, dispenser, filtered water, plastic, purpose of, water

Bottled water is treated and safe drinking water that is packaged for consumption by individuals and made available at retail outlets. Bottled water could be sourced from glaciers, taps and springs.

The bottled water used can also be sourced from public water sources and the purity and safety depends largely on the regulation of quality adotped within a country. The regulation is conducted and recorded ensure that the bottled water quality is safe.

The label on the bottled water container or bottle accurately reflects bottle contents, or at least it is expected to. In many developing and under developed nations, these standards are variable and less stringent. This makes the safety of the bottled water for consumption questionable.

The bottled water companies are now dealing with criticism on consumer concerns about the environment. The process of packaging and shipping the water is known to consume energy and contribute to global warming. This is being questioned.

it is argued that the empty plastic bottles simply add to litter and solid waste. This is a growing concern and the fact that plastic is not entirely degradable is a concern.

However nowadays plastics are being recycled into various products and some of them quite fashionable.

It is also argued that the bottled water is no safer than the water that we source from the municipal water systems. The flaunted ‘added minerals’ is just a sales gimmick and the world over, authorities are urging supporters to consume less bottled water since home water filtration is a good enough viable option.

In developed countries, the demand for bottled water is based on the perception that bottled water is safer than local municipal water and people develop taste preferences. The whole packaging and advertising of the bottled water companies further foster these perceptions.

Local municipal water can still sometimes be suspect and contain contaminants.

Even though many municipalities, particularly in the developed world, provide quality and regulated water, there are occasional problems with contaminants present. The cities that claim to provide the citizens “safe” tap water also have on record contaminants like bacteria to heavy metals. This is another factor that continues to drive up bottled water sales annually.

In the case of the developing countries, the demand for bottled water is driven by factors like the lack of potable groundwater in many areas, the lack of reliable municipal water in urban areas and the risk of being exposed to chemical and organic pollution of ground water.

There is no doubt about the convenience of bottled water relative to boiling or otherwise treating accessible water.

However, bottled water may provide an alternative to unsafe drinking water only for those who can afford it.

The sales of bottled water has surpassed the sales of all other beverages, except carbonated soft drinks and the mint is rolling the dough for the bottled water companies even though the popularity of bottled water has been criticised by environmentalist, economists and care takers and givers.

It used to be that 80% of the used bottled water containers ended up in landfills. But more and more is being recycled as time goes on.

The damage is furthered with the fact that unlike tap water, bottled water uses up oil and other fossil fuels to be produced and shipped. It is further argued that this is basically a show of wasted money and there is no evidence of additonal rigourous filtering and cleansing processes being implemented.

The process of making the plastic bottles for the bottled water uses a large amount of oil per year and the manufacture of every ton of PET produces an alarming 3 tons of carbon dioxide! The bottled water is transported long distances by ship, truck or rail and hence consumes a fair amount of energy is utilized to move a single plastic bottle from where it is made, to the filling facility and then to the store. The average energy cost to make the plastic, fill and transport the bottle to the market is compared to ‘filling up a quarter of every bottle with oil’!

One idea might be to re-use bpa free plastic water containersby refilling with safe tap water where possible

The quantity of water used to manufacture and fill the bottled water bottles is a fraction of the amount of global water withdrawals, but the growing concern is within communities with large bottled water plants who are tapping into local aquifer resources. Large commercial bottlers are trying to meet the growing demand for bottled water by increasing the pumping of water from relatively smaller water bodies like springs on private properties. This could result in the drying up of these resources! As with most things moderation is advised

By Gaynor Borade

Get A Top Drinking Water Filter System Here!

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Say good-bye to costly bottled water
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Get unlimited ultra fresh, delicious drinking water right at home for drinking, cooking, ice & coffee making, baby-formula, pet feeding, dieting and many other uses.

Tremendous savings
bottled/delivered water = $0.79/gal   Home Reverse Osmosis water = $0.02/gal.  You save $ 0.77/gal.
If you use 3 gallons per day, 1,095 gallon per year, you can save $ 843 per year!
The investment is back in half a year! — Why wait?

Here are  some things that people are saying about it:

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S. Shepard

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I just finished installing the RO system last night. I got up this morning to the freshest, clearest water possible. My TDS reading before being purified by the RO was 857, but with my new RO system it is reading 4. You can see a real difference in the water before it is treated. The color before treatment is quite dingy, but after treatment, it is crystal clear and tastes great. I would highly recommend your system.
G. Donahoo

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More about water …

Water – The Worlds Most Precious Resource

It is no wonder that in this day and age bottled water is becoming more and more popular. Sure bottled water is convenient, but it is only as safe as its source. That same marketing has pushed the price of water – “sometimes … 

Metroland West Media Group, proudly serving Southern Ontario

Compare this to the insignificance of adapting away from bottled water, for them, back to municipal water.” Trustee Lillian Orban, who opposed the ban, questioned the safety of water in school fountains, which she’s found to be poor … 

Bottled Water: Clean or Dirty?

Currently, enforcement of standards ensures that bottled mineral water is distinct from other categories of water which undergo extensive treatments for potability (making it safe to drink). This absence of bactericidal measures and the … 

Technorati Tags: bottle, bottled water, bpa free, container, containers, environment, plastic, plastic recycling, safe plastic bottles, water, water cooler botttles

Plastic storage containers are a versatile, durable, and a maintenance-free way to store all sorts of things from food, to water, to toys.

This age we are living in is often referred to as the Plastic Age, and with good reason.

Plastic has become one of the raw materials that is used most widely today.

Plastic Storage Containers, Bins and Boxes

Take plastic containers, for instance, from hazardous waste to food, they are used to package, store, and hold just about anything.

Tough enough to be stacked and moldable enough to be made into space saving shapes, plastic containers can be used to maximize storage room. The wide range of plastic containers can be matched by the equally wide range of their storage uses. For every storage requirement they are used for, plastic storage containers have their own quality, type, color, size, and shape of plastic. Plastic containers are useful for commercial products, industrial uses, as well as for maximizing storage options in homes.

Most people find plastic storage bottles and boxes very convenient for storing a wide range of things. For instance, all sizes of plastic food storage boxes come in very handy in the kitchen. Some can be used to store condiments, sugar, and flour, while others can be used to keep pastas and cereals. Plastic storage containers are also great for keeping cutlery, napkins, and other paraphernalia that you don’t want cluttering up the kitchen. And, of course, one of the best ways to keep foods fresh is to refrigerate them in plastic storage boxes.

Plastic storage containers are also very handy in the bathroom in order to keep washed clothes and towels neatly in the linen closet. For instance, most kids have the habit of ploughing through towels and clothes and shoving them all back haphazardly. One way to counter this is to get plastic storage bins where washed clothes, hand towels and towels can be put, so that kids can pull out each bin to find the things they are looking for. In the bedrooms, each member of the family can have his or her own plastic storage box that can be slid under the bed, which can be used for storing off season clothing, such as shorts and t-shirts in the winter and warm socks and sweaters in the summer. This helps to free up space in closets and dresser drawers.

Plastic storage bins are also great for storing seasonal decorations such as Halloween and Easter decorations and Christmas ornaments. In fact, separate storage bins can be used for each season. Each of these plastic storage containers can be labeled and color coded, so that finding things becomes easy when you need them. Plastic storage bins and boxes prevent the decorations and the ornaments from being crushed, plus they can be stacked, which helps in creating more space in your storage area, whether it is the attic, garage, or the basement.

There are also plastic water storage containers that come in very handy for storing water in emergency situations such as a flood, tornado, ice storm or blizzard. They come in various sizes and are available in most hardware stores. And of course, for every day use, you have the ubiquitous plastic water bottles that are so common everywhere.

Given below are a few more ideas about using plastic storage containers for various purposes:

Plastic storage boxes for paper: There are plastic bankers boxes that are very handy for storing files and paper. They are stackable, collapsible, and come with handles so that they can be maneuvered easily.

Plastic storage bins for outdoors: While clear plastic storage containers that are stackable are ideal for indoor usage, but colored and heavier plastic storage bins are the best for attic, garage and outdoor storage.

Open plastic storage bins for children: These brightly colored storage bins are available in units that are about 30 inches in height and are removable, hence toys kept in them are within easy reach and are visible.

Lidded plastic containers for toys: These containers are stackable and come with hinged lids and handles, which makes them convenient for carrying about.

Stackable plastic boxes: These come in various sizes and are ideal for storing in closets, or under the bathroom sink, or in offices. The small plastic boxes are great for keeping items like clips, contact lenses, bandages, ointments and so on.

While wooden boxes, leather covered containers, and containers made of woven cane may be regarded as more tasteful, but as far as versatility, durability, and maintenance is concerned, there is nothing to beat plastic storage containers, bins and boxes.

By Rita Putatunda

More info on plastic water containers:

Seed Starting  Green Peony

Benefits There are seeds for any type of gardener. You can purchase flower, herb, vegetable, and others. You get more plants for your dollar. (Join a seed swap or save seed from the prior year for even more savings. We’ll talk about seed saving and … Make sure there are drainage holes in your pot or container. Fill your container with soil, place a few seeds in it, mist or lightly water, and then cover with a clear top or plastic wrap 

Homemade Biodiesel

In relationship to the equipment, you are going to need scales, a blender, funnels, a couple of plastic containers, thermometer, empty water bottles and some duct tape. Make absolutely sure that you clean well

Bottled Water

If it’s unlikely that most people attending your event will bring reusable bottles, you could offer disposable cups that are biodegradable such as PLA (corn plastic) or Bagasse (sugarcane fiber) or cups made with some recycled material … Next, plan self-serve water stations and choose tap water containers. The final steps involve identifying partners to defray costs (e.g. municipalities, utilities, and water filtration companies), publicizing your event 

Going Green with Bottled Water Delivery

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) 

Drinking Water Containers

We Americans throw away over sixty million plastic bottles a day. If more and more people filled up at home by using a drinking water container we could substantially reduce this appalling figure, and be environmentally friendly 

Technorati Tags: bins, boxes, bpa free, containers, conveniences, durable, lunch, plastic, products, storage, store, tanks, water

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

Fuel Belt Crush Bottle Carrier

I come from a cycling background, and am used to using full size water bottles. I contacted Fuel Belt, after seeing one of their ads in a running magazine, and had them send me one of their Crush bottle carriers. Fuel belt crush purple

Sew A Water Bottle Carrier

Fabric water bottle carrier I’m trying to drink more water. In fact, I’m trying to get our whole family on board, carrying water bottles with us on weekend outings, avoiding our habitual Starbucks and Slurpee stops. 

Knit Your Way To A Water Bottle Holder

This knitting pattern is a really great idea for those who do a lot outdoors, go to the gym a lot, etc. This pattern is for a water bottle carrier. It will help to keep your water quite cool in it’s bottle. 

Sigg Brass Water Bottle: Is the inner liner safe?

Product Review: Sigg Metal Water Bottle  Nalgene Water Bottles, decoratively painted aluminum bottle

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.

Technorati Tags: bottle, bottled, bpa, carriers, containers, drinkable, free, metal, plastic, reused, tap, versus, water

This article is for anyone concerned about BPA that is looking for bottled water and water bottles that are BPA free.

You will learn about BPA and about a new BPA free water bottle option on the market. You will also learn where to get BPA free water bottles from.

BPA Basics
Bisphenol-A, commonly abbreviated BPA is a difunctional building block of several important polymers and polymer additives. It is used in some plastics including polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins which are used to line the majority of food and beverage cans. BPA is used in packaging for a lot of food and beverage products including polycarbonate water bottles (marked with recycling symbol #7), baby bottles, beer cans, soup cans, baby food cans, vegetable cans and soda cans. Some studies have shown that BPA can cause adverse health effects to mice, non-human primates and potentially humans. It is unclear how much BPA can actually leach into the food and beverages humans eat but it does give cause for much more research and study on the subject. For consumers looking to avoid BPA the alternate choices are not always easy to find but they do exist.

BPA Free Water Bottles

Millions of people enjoy bottled water and especially bottled water delivery service where large 5 gallon bottles of water are brought to their homes and offices. 5 gallon bottles made with polycarbonate plastic represent the overwhelming industry standard. In fact, in most cases they are the only large bottle type used by bottled water companies. However, polycarbonate bottles do contain BPA so for consumers who wants to avoid BPA and still enjoy water delivery service this presents a problem.

However, a new solution is emerging on the market and a few companies are blazing a new trail by offering BPA free water bottle options in the form of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastic 5 gallon bottles. These new BPA free PET 5 gallon bottles offer the same durability and weight of the standard polycarbonate bottles and they can even have built-in handles. However, unlike the polycarbonate bottles these new water bottles are completely BPA free. The PET bottles, marked by the #1 recycling symbol, can be re-used after sterilization and also offer the durability needed for repetitive water delivery. For the concerned water drinker, these bottles are an excellent solution with the only challenge being to find a water delivery company in their locale that offers them.

BPA Free Water Delivery

For those water drinkers that don’t have water delivery and might be relying on a home or office water filtration system they should be aware that many systems can’t remove BPA from the tap water. If they truly want to enjoy BPA free water they should look for a water company that will deliver ultra-purified bottled water to them in 5 gallon BPA free PET bottles. By choosing a water company that can deliver water and bottles that are free of BPA they will be able to enjoy refreshing water while eliminating there exposure to Bisphenol-A. For consumers that receive water delivery in polycarbonate bottles they should seek out a bottled water company that will deliver water to them in PET plastic 5 gallon bottles. It may take a bit of research to find the right vendor but more companies are starting to offer BPA free water bottles.

By Jason Matthews

BPA Free Water Bottles and  Delivery

Loving Heart Mommy: Hydrate Yourself!

She’ll be comforted knowing this bottle is made from BPA-free Eastman Tritan™ copolyester and love it if you include a donation to charity: water in her name to support sustainable hydration in African communities. 

Do Sigg Bottles Leech

If you put beer/coffee/wine/whatever in the bottle all it needs is a quick rinse with water and it won’t retain any of the smells or tastes. It got to the point where I would need to bleach my Nalgene once a week if i forgot …. All of the bottles currently online and in our stores are BPA free

The Latest News On BPA

And what if you’ve put your company name all over re-usable water bottles in an effort to promote your business and do something for the environment? What you need to know, if you’re worried about BPA, is to look for unbreakable … Trying to address the issue, the FDA released a statement in response to the Science Board report suggesting worried parents turn to BPA-free plastic alternatives or glass baby bottles

Nalgene Reusable Plastic Water Bottle

I loved my Nalgene too but alas, I’ve made the change! I bought the BPA-free Titan Water Bottle – it’s got a built in carabiner clip and they say you can unclip it and drink from it all with one hand! It’s on backorder right now so I’m thinking about another BPA free … I just purchased a nalgene bottle , eco friendly reuseable water bottle kit ; it has a number 7 in a triangle on the bottom and says it is made in the USA. 

Paper Bottles

If it irks you to pack a plastic water bottle as much as it irks us, take note of this new prototype design: paper water bottles. Design firm Brandimage has come up with a concept. National Association for PET Container Resources (NAPCOR) reports that 2.7 million tons of plastic PET bottles hit U.S. shelves

Keep The Bottle Contest

My parent’s cabin does not have drinkable tap water, so we use a lot of water bottles, juice bottles and all kind of bottles. I found a way to reuse them by turning them into a useful, good looking and entertaining buoy for the lake. posted by Patenteux du Nord … The objective of the project was to create a plane (floor, wall, ceiling, partition, anything planar really) out of used objects(our group happens to choose 2 litre PET soda bottles

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This excellent article will tell you about 5 gallon water bottles including how to choose the best type and where you can get the water bottles. If you are considering or already have bottled water delivery service then this article on 5 gallon water bottles will be very beneficial to you.

A 5 gallon water bottle is typically used for water delivery service and is the container that holds the pure water. It allows for water to be easily transported in bulk quantities and delivered to homes and offices. The 5 gallon bottle will then normally be placed on the top of a water dispenser or water cooler to dispense the water for consumption. The 5 gallon bottle is normally made of plastic but there are also some versions made from glass. Typically the 5 gallon water bottle will have a built-in handle and spill free top to make it very easy for the consumer to change the bottle without spilling water.

What are the types of 5 gallon water bottles?

There are several types of 5 gallon water bottles on the market today. The most prevalent type of 5 gallon bottle is the polycarbonate plastic bottle. This is the industry standard among water delivery companies. The bottles are light and very durable hence the reason they are used by so many water delivery companies.

However, the polycarbonate plastic 5 gallon water bottles (marked by recycling symbol #7) do contain a chemical known as Bisphenol A (BPA). Some studies have shown that BPA can cause adverse health effects in mice, non-human primates and potentially humans. It is unclear how much BPA can actually leach into the food and beverages humans consume but it does give cause for much more research and study on the subject. The polycarbonate plastic bottles are still FDA approved but because of the controversial chemical BPA, several new bottle types are gaining popularity nowadays in the form of PET plastic bottles and glass bottles.

PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastic bottles have been used as single serve bottles for years but now they are also available in the form of 5 gallon bottles. PET plastic is 100% BPA-free and is very durable and lightweight so it is perfect for 5 gallon water bottles.

These BPA-free 5 gallon bottles can be re-used and refilled as long as they are properly cleaned and sterilized. Glass 5 gallon bottles also present another BPA-free option for water delivery. If you are looking for the absolute in water purity then glass bottles give you a 100% guarantee that nothing will leach into the water contained within the bottles. These bottles are heavier then plastic bottles so that is an issue that needs to be considered.

Besides the material the bottle is made from you should also look at respective attributes of the bottle. The best 5 gallon water bottles feature built-in handles so they can be easily moved. Also, a handle built into or attached to the bottle will allow the consumer to more easily put a full bottle on the dispenser and remove the bottle once it is empty.

Another desirable feature for a 5 gallon water bottle is that the bottle should have a spill free top/cap. The spill free bottle top will allow the bottle to directly connect with a spill free dispenser thus eliminating the potential for spilled water. Also, any good spill free top should be able to be removed easily in case the dispenser being used does not feature a spill free system.

Where can you get 5 gallon water bottles?

Since 5 gallon water bottles are heavy and can be cumbersome to carry once full it is recommended that you seek a local water delivery company in your area to have the bottles brought to you.

A good water delivery company will bring the full 5 gallon bottles of water directly to your office or residence. It’s best to look for a company with local live customer service and to seek a company that has friendly and professional delivery drivers. Once you set up service with a water delivery company they should be able to put you on a regular delivery schedule so that the 5 gallon bottles of ultra-purified bottled water can be routinely delivered to you.

By Jason Matthews

Anatomy of the Best 5 Gallon Water Bottle

About 5 gallon water bottles including how to choose best type and where you can get water bottles. If you are considering or already have bottled water delivery service then this

Water is Wet. What Else Do You Want

Surprisingly, the survey shows more than 25% of us get our water from a bottle! The Great Pee Dee River runs along the northeastern side of Florence County, making its way towards Johnsonville. In addition to multiple wells … Currently, the City has a permit from DHEC to pull 15 million gallons a day from its sources.

Cooking With Basic Food Storage

If water comes directly from a good, pretreated source then no additional purification is needed; otherwise, pretreat water before use. Store water in sturdy, leak-proof, breakage-resistant containers.

The Plastic Dilemma

Considered a safer choice in its “end product” use. Number 5-PP- Considered the safest plastic. It is heat resistant and unlikely to leach even when exposed to heat or hot liquids.

Plastic Water Bottles

So what is PET and is it safe? PET is widely used in food packaging, especially in water and carbonated beverage bottles because it is lightweight, doesn’t migrate into the food or liquid, is biologically inert.

Plastics Advisor

Biodegradable PET plastic bottles, creating plastic solar cells for portable electronic devices, turning recycled plastics into fuel, and the world’s first recyclable ski gloves. 

PET Project: Coke’s Big Recycling Plant

The plant will have the capacity, when fully operational, to produce 100 million pounds of recycled PET plastic chips—enough to produce 2 billion 20-ounce bottles of Coke.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough  Creme Fraiche

This comes in a wide-mouth jar, straight-sided so that you can scoop out every last bit of the luscious soap! The jar should last several weeks, and is made from recyclable PET plastic for your protection.

Solid Waste & Recycling

The demand for plastic bottles is growing over 12 per cent annually. PET plastic bottling is being used for everything from food, personal care to cleaning products and the demand for plastic beverage bottles continues to grow.

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