WATER TIPS:

Water is hands down the healthiest summer beverage, but as plain as it is, water has the potential to cause some serious eco-harm.

• Avoid buying plastic bottled water 100% of the time. There’s nothing better about bottled water, and lots of problems with it. The bottles are made of non-renewable resources. The manufacturing process is resource heavy. Plus research shows that folks don’t recycle their bottles.
• Drink tap water first; and filtered only if your city water supply is iffy. Most water in the U.S. is safe enough to drink filter free. Filters aren’t recyclable (yet), so only use one if you actually need one. You can check your city water safety via a city annual water quality report at the EPA.
• If the only thing about your water that’s bad is the taste, fill a container with water and allow it to sit out before you drink it. Most of the time, the only taste issue with H2O is chlorine, which evaporates after sitting out.
• To have chilly water all summer, fill a pitcher and leave it in your fridge or use ice. This way you aren’t running water down the drain as you wait for it to get cold.

OTHER ECO-BEVERAGE TIPS:

• No matter what you’re drinking carry a reusable drinking bottle.
• Take an extra reusable bottle in your car for when you stop for beverages.
• Avoid beverages with extra packaging. Beverages don’t need to be in a can, in a box, then shrink-wrapped. Seriously.
• If you buy powdered mixes, buy the largest size possible to cut down on packaging.
• Buy beverages in glass or aluminum containers first, plastic second. If you buy plastic containers make sure your local recycling company actually recycles them. Not all center recycle colored plastic. Clear is far better if you do buy plastic containers. Of course, always buy the largest container possible.
• If your kiddos want small drinks skip juice boxes and get them their own small reusable water bottles.

[image via stock.xchng]

Post from: Blisstree

Eco-Rules for Summer Beverages

By giving $1 or more for a glass of water you’d normally get for free in a participating restaurant, you’re helping Unicef give clean and accessible water to millions of children around the globe. Look for Tap in your city! If your favorite restaurant isn’t listed, you can also help recruit them for next year.

According to the Tap Project, for every dollar raised, a child will have clean drinking water for 40 days.

Why focus on water when there are so many other issues right now? It’s a matter of life. Sadly, 4,500 children die from water-related diseases each day. (Source: Unicef)

Lack of easy access to water is especially hard on women, the “water haulers.” Many women in developing countries have to walk such long distances for water they have little time left for school or work.

The Tap Project coincides with World Water Day on March 22. If you can’t donate now, you can still help by sending a free World Water day e-card to share this important day for solving the water crisis.

The video below lasts less than 5 minutes and will help explain the water crisis and how the Tap Project is helping.

(Image via flickr.)

Post from: Blisstree

Tap Project Starts This Weekend

Post from: Blisstree

I Heart Tap Water (Video)