Everyone has spaced out and taken an extra long shower. When water comes so easily, sometimes we forget that there is only so much usable water on the planet. Americans consume an average of 90 gallons of water a day compared to Europeans who average 53, while sub-Saharan Africans on average consume only 3-5 gallons a day.
Water efficiency isn’t just a way to save a few dollars each month, it’s a way to be responsible for your personal usage of a resource that is vital to the planet. You can ensure that you are consuming water responsibly by using WaterSense products and making small changes in your daily life at home
Household Water Usage
A family of 4 goes through around 400 gallons day
70% of water consumption is inside the house
Indoor water usage: 27% toilet, 22% washing machine, 17% shower, 16% faucet, 13% leaks, 5% other
Requires energy, money to pump water through pipes
Simple Solutions
The best way to cut down on your water usage is to install efficient appliances in your home and to eliminate leaks from pipes and faucets. Leaking pipes can result in thousands of wasted gallons per month, so its important to make sure your waterways are leak free each year. Find out ways to find and stop leaks here and make sure your pipes are secure . You can also save water by making sure you turn the faucet off when brushing your teeth or shaving, and taking efficient showers.
Water efficient shower-heads are inexpensive, easy to install, and environmentally responsible. Low-flow faucets use 30% water and are easily installed on sinks to save water. Outdated washing machines and toilets are the most wasteful home appliances. If you have an old washing machine or toilet, you are wasting thousands of gallons of water and should consider updating your water systems immediately.
WaterSense Label
The US Environmental Protection Agency created the WaterSense label to help consumers choose appliances and services that will actively reduce the amount of water used. WaterSense is similar to the EnergyStar label, and promotes sustainability and improved efficiency. WaterSense products are at least 20% more efficient and replacing the outdated appliances in your home you could drastically reduce the amount of water your household consumes. Additionally, reducing your water footprint will save you money each month.
Having a water efficient household allows you to save money and be responsible about your resource consumption. Every time you turn a faucet, remember that there is a finite amount of water on this planet, and that the US uses far more water than any other country. By making a few simple changes you can reduce the amount of water you waste and be more efficient.
Celebrate Sustainability with Boston GreenFest 2012
Photo by Bostongreenfest.org
Summer in Boston is full of great family events and chances to meet new people. One of the events we are most excited about this summer is the Boston GreenFest. This wonderful event has activities for all ages and serves to educate Massachusetts residents on how they can make their home more efficient, save money, and protect the environment. Each year this event promotes sustainability while entertaining Boston audiences with great activities and events. This years GreenFest is kicks off at 5pm on August 16th and will continue until August 19th.
Arts and Entertainment
The Boston GreenFest has tons of informative and fun exhibits as well as music performances and green business events. GreenFest has a variety of different musicians and dancers performing throughout the weekend, all of them environmentally motivated. There is also a GreenFilmFest on the 17th and 18th that features award winning and thought provoking films, including one of our favorites: Koyaanisqatsi. The festival also features a Green Fashion Show with environmentally conscious rules, and a Green Art Gallery showcasing art created from industrial trash.
One Gallon Challenge
The opening event of GreenFest is the One Gall0n challenge. In this challenge, 8 super-efficient cars will attempt to travel 100 miles from Plymouth to Greenfield on a single gallon of fuel. There are participants from all over New England, and if you’re feeling ambitious you can still enter a machine until August 10th. This is a great chance for engineers and science aficionados to see how extremely efficient vehicles handle the rigors of real life driving conditions. You might even see some technology that could make its way into your new car!
Activities
The BostonGreenFest has a number of great exhibits that promote environmentally responsible living. The EcoTimeTunnel is an art exhibit that allows visitors to visualize how our Earth has changed over time. The EcoTerrace allows guests to try sustainably crafted wines and beers and relax from the action. Additionally, the EcoBazaar returns this year and offers eco-friendly local crafts for purchase. The GreenFest is jam packed with sustainable activities for all ages, be sure to check out the schedule so that you can make it to everything!
The BostonGreenFest is our favorite summer event, and each year it gets better. There is so much to do and see and learn, and its a great event to teach your kids about protecting the environment. If you want to do more than just attend, you can volunteer for any of the 4 days and be a part of the movement! We are privileged to have such a well organized and comprehensive effort going towards sustainability and environmental protection, you can’t miss bringing your family to the BostonGreenFest.
When we were last involved with the Expanded Bottle bill, the bill had passed the Massachusetts Senate and looked like there was hope to pass within an economic development bill. While the Massachusetts Senate had passed the bill, it was eventually struck from the economic development bill by the Massachusetts House and the Joint Conference Committee. The omission of the Expanded Bottle bill is a huge disappointment for Massachusetts citizens and means that the 14 year wait to update the bottle bill will continue.
When we visited the State House to cover the Expanded Bottle bill rally, we saw an outpouring of enthusiasm and hope for getting the bill to Governor Patrick. While Governor Patrick was in favor of the bill, this dismissal reaffirms the power that large food and beverage corporations have in the House. Even though one poll showed the support of 77% of the public, Massachusetts will not expand the amount of recyclable containers that can be redeemed.
Bill Support
Proponents of the Expanded Bottle bill question the intent of politicians who would deprive Massachusetts consumers of more recycling. Supporters argued that the expanded bill would bring more recycling, less trash, as well as improvements to redemption centers and ultimately more jobs in Massachusetts. Many activists view the failure of the Expanded Bottle bill as a victory for big beverage companies, who do not have public good in mind. They now face the challenge of gathering support for the rejected bill, which has yet to be adopted after 14 years.
Shot Down
The Expanded Bottle bill’s passing through the Massachusetts Senate was unexpected, leaving many people to speculate about the future of the bill. With the rejection from the Joint Conference Committee, the bill’s momentum was halted just as suddenly as it began last month. Opponents of the bill, specifically House Speaker Robert Deleo argued that the 5 cent deposit on more beverage containers meant more taxes on Massachusetts consumers. While supporters of the Expanded Bottle bill did not agree, ultimately it seems that corporate power was the factor that killed the bill for good.
The defeat of the Expanded Bottle bill means that curbside recycling will continue to be the main method of disposal. The defeat of the bill means that there will be no improvements to Massachusetts redemption centers, and that sports drinks, iced tea, and bottled water will still not be eligible for redemption
Water Not Quite Over the Dam
As BeCause Water is very disappointed in the outcome of the Bottle Bill, there is NO reason why grassroots organizations and other individuals can’t achieve the same end goal.
It is officially the Age of the Educated Consumer. We MUST be proactive in informing ourselves on key issues, EXPOSE green washing/corporate greed, and empower others to do the same.
At Because Water we take corporate accountability very seriously. A lack of corporate accountability leads to decisions that can harm the environment, other businesses, and consumers. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is the result of irresponsible business decisions overruling ethics and common sense. Unfortunately these reckless business decisions have serious repercussions on a global scale.
Massachusetts took a huge step towards more responsible business practices this year when the Massachusetts Legislature approved legislation for Benefit Corporations in an economic recovery act. Massachusetts and 8 other US States passed legislation which designates socially and economically conscious businesses as Benefit Corporations. This new classification allows businesses to be more transparent in their attempts to promote responsible business practices.
Businesses will be able to apply to register as a Benefit Corporation beginning January 1st, 2013.
What is a Benefit Corporation?
Benefit Corporations are a new type of company that aims to resolve environmental and social issues through business. A Benefit Corporation is held to higher legal accountability standards than a normal business, and must prove that their model actively helps environmental or social causes. Benefit Corporations promote and create a voice for sustainability in business. This means that Benefit Corporations are committed to more than just revenue, and can bring about real change in business ethics.
Benefit Corporations willingly hold themselves to higher standards as a way to create change through business. The non-profit B-Lab created a community of Benefit Corporations that maintain a standard of responsible business practices, and they offer a certification to socially and environmentally conscious businesses. The goal of B-Lab, and the Benefit Corporation legislation, is to influence “good business” rather than just “good marketing”.
What does this mean for Massachusetts?
Benefit Corporation legislation in Massachusetts is not only great for progressive businesses, it is also a commitment to change the fabric of American business. Benefit Corporations must pass certain requirements assessed by a third-party company; this means that companies are willingly subjecting themselves to higher standards of performance and responsibility. Business leaders in the Benefit Company community are willing to operate with the future of Massachusetts and America in mind.
Americans are tired of irresponsible business practices and corporate greed and we are willing to fight for positive change. Starting January 1st, 2013, Massachusetts will be redefining corporate responsibility and corporate ethics. Businesses willing to fight for the environment and social issues can use the power of business to fight for positive change.
Still don’t get it?
PBS does a great job defining exactly what a Benefit Corporation does, what regulations they are subject to, and how they will change the landscape of American business.
You can also show your support for environmentally conscious businesses by donating to a good cause. We love Water.org has a great way to donate money toward water relief.
Bottled water companies have a vendetta against tap water. Our guess is that selling any product at a 2000% markup would result in monstrous marketing tactics and mastering the art of deception . These “companies” insist that their water is superior to the rest, even though more often than not it’s coming from the same source. The reality is that bottled water has scammed billions of dollars from our nation, caused health problems for many, and played a key role in devastating our environment.
Water Safety
It is extremely important to note that tap water is much more regulated than bottled water. In 1976, The Safe Drinking Water Act was put into place having the EPA require all public water systems to provide reports to the public about municipal water quality. The EPA also requires water testing by certified laboratories and releases reports on the water quality of every town in Massachusetts. Bottled water is treated as a food by the FDA and isn’t held to the same high standard as municipal water.
Plastic Bottle Waste
Americans produce a staggering amount of plastic waste. We throw away 35 billion plastic bottles a year, and only 31% of those bottles end up recycled. The vast majority will end up in landfills or in our oceans, where it will take hundreds of years for the plastic to break down. This plastic bottle waste epidemic has serious environmental repercussions and will continue until Americans cut down on plastic bottle usage.
The most troubling aspects about our nation’s plastic waste problem is that it is preventable. Drinking filtered tap water in a reusable bottle is an easy way to cut down on your own plastic output and save a ton of money. By drinking bottled water you are submitting to a 2000% markup and adding to the already astronomical amount of plastic waste just sitting in our landfills and oceans.
Pay Up
The main reason people buy bottled water is convenience. A single use bottle is unarguably easy; however as we have shown, a plastic bottle will be on this planet much longer than any human life. The single serving bottle can be replaced with a reusable water bottle for a one-time cost. The average household spends $1000 a year on bottled water. Why pay $3, $4, $5 for the same water that you can receive from a filtered tap?
Pure Garbage
Drinking bottled water puts you at risk to BPA exposure, a harmful chemical used in plastics linked to extensive health problems. Bottled water companies love to advertise their products are “pure” even though the majority of bottled water is America is just tap water. Bottled water companies also imply that there is something wrong or unhealthy with tap water to reinforce that their water is “pure”.
Breakdown: Bottled Water Vs. Tap Water
Plastic Bottled Water
Leads to trash in landfills and oceans
Takes hundreds of years to break down
2000% more expensive
Requires water and oil to create and transport
Exposured to BPA
Tap water with an expensive label
Tap Water + Reusable Bottle
Government regulated quality assurance
No waste
Conveniently located and available
Safer than plastic bottles
Same product for much less
Avoiding bottled water is good for the environment, cost-effective, and safe. Plastic bottle waste continues to be an epidemic in the United States and drastic action is needed to reverse this. Use a reusable bottle and give up bottled water for good.
