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We all understand that water is a basic necessity. But is bottled water a necessity? Bottled water is a huge marketing success, but what is it costing us and the planet?

The Cost?

As far as our pocketbook goes, it’s obvious that we pay dollars for what we can run out of the tap for pennies. Various estimates say bottled water costs us anywhere from 240 to over 10,000 times more per gallon than tap water. What we are paying for in the price of bottled water is packaging, marketing, and transport. So why do we spend such an outrageous mark up on this item?

The Rationale?

The primary rationale is because marketing has sent the message that bottled water is the safe and pure choice for our families. The facts, however, do not indicate this to be true. According to a four-year scientific study by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) , bottled water sold in the United States is not necessarily cleaner or safer than most tap water. A key NRDC finding is that bottled water regulations are inadequate to assure consumers of either purity or safety. As an example, bottled water is required to be tested less frequently than city tap water for bacteria and chemical contaminants and there are no requirements for bottled water to be disinfected or tested for parasites.

The Planet?

Our environment pays the biggest price of all. There are so many ways these seemingly harmless bottles of water are negatively impacting us by hurting the planet. A huge impact relates to atmospheric pollution and climate change because of fuel combustion. Transporting bottled water all over the world utilizes a tremendous amount of fossil fuels. Add to this the fossil fuels that are used in the packaging of water. As indicated by the Earth Policy Institute,  the most commonly used plastic for making water bottles is polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which is derived from crude oil. Making bottles to meet Americans’ demand for bottled water requires more than 17 million barrels of oil annually, enough to fuel more than 1 million U.S. cars for a year. And then there is the issue of what we do with all of these bottles we’ve made? According to the Container Recycling Institute, 86 percent of plastic water bottles used in the United States becomes garbage or litter. When they are incinerated with the regular trash, toxic fumes are emitted that are unhealthy, including greenhouse gasses that are harmful to the environment. This certainly doesn’t paint a picture of the healthy lifestyle we often associate with bottled water.

The Alternative?

The alternative is to quench your thirst in an eco-friendly way. Use your tap water and some sort of home water filtration if you like. Reusable water bottles are quite available and affordable. Be selective and purchase safe, non-toxic bottles; you may be surprised to find that you can select from cool colors and designs. See our Lifestyle Page for more information on these resources, and how they can easily become part of your more natural mindset.

Bob

www.naturalmindset.com

Over the past few months, I have been on a journey to a more eco-friendly lifestyle. At times this can be a difficult trip, and never is the road more treacherous than during the holiday season. Gift wrap, boxes, bows, tinsel and all that plastic. Not to mention the wasted energy needed sustain this seasonal behemoth. Don’t get me wrong. I love a warm Yule log and a cup of cheer as much as the next guy. But the toll on our environment is huge. It seems somewhat contradictory to spread tidings of great joy while taxing the world beyond reason.

Never fear. I have compiled a list of ten tips for a more eco-friendly season. Incorporate one or more of these suggestions into your festivity and that warm holiday feeling will last long into the new year.

First let’s start with that tree. If you have an artificial tree, use it! The resources needed to create it have already been expended; throw it away and you’re just adding to the landfill. If you don’t have a tree yet, consider a potted evergreen or topiary. If you want to revisit a more traditional time, you can even adorn a tree in your yard. You can decorate any of these and have them to enjoy for years to come. If you insist on a “real” holiday tree, find a tree farm who grows organically. Farmed trees are a renewable resource. Following the holidays, you can take the tree to your community recycling center where they can turn it into mulch.

Now that your tree is ready, it will need to be decorated. Those twinkling lights take us back to our youth, but expend a lot of energy. Therefore, use L.E.D. lights; One hundred percent of the romance with only 10 percent of the energy. They also generate less heat and reduce the fire hazard in your home.

This next suggestion can be implemented from your couch or easy chair. Shop online. Millions of vehicles will be taking multiple trips to the local (and sometimes not so local) mall this season. The amount of fuel consumed and the corresponding expulsion of greenhouse gasses and pollutants is staggering. By shopping online, or by catalog if you prefer, you can contribute to a brighter season, literally.

Now, what to buy? There are hundreds, if not thousands of specialty retailers who offer natural and organic products. These range from body lotion to bamboo beds. Many of us do not see these items on our daily trip trough the big box stores. Your friends and family will feel extra special as they receive a unique gift. The quality of such products is usually excellent and you will have added peace of mind knowing that you are taking good care of your loved ones and the planet.

Now that you have your gifts in hand, you still have to wrap them, right? Sure, but you can avoid adding to the millions of tons of holiday trash by using a few eco-friendly materials to accomplish the job. Try to find things like old maps, clothing patterns, extra fabric or anything you may have already acquired that you have no use for. Reuse it! These items make excellent gift wrapping material and again will help save some cash and the environment. In addition, you can tailor your materials to the gift or recipient. Try wrapping a travel book with an old map. You might also use a clothing pattern to wrap your grandmother’s new knitting supplies. The options are endless.

All of these suggestions may be getting a bit tiring, so let’s focus on ourselves for a moment. What about our own holiday wish list? People actually want to know what you want for Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanzaa or whatever you may be celebrating this season. So let them know! Grandparents, parents, siblings, friends…they are all going to find out what you want. That makes their job less intimidating and stressful for themselves. So, spread the word. Natural and organic products, handmade items, or a donation to your favorite charity are all good choices for any season.

This next tip will save you some cash. Don’t buy expensive decorations. All to often the most expensive decorations are also the most destructive to the environment. Large plastic yard ornaments, elaborate animated displays, even the little balls on the tree can be laden with earth unfriendly substances. Instead, try making some of your own ornaments and decorations. Use natural materials such as pinecones, nuts or dried fruit. You may want to make a cranberry and popcorn garland that the birds will enjoy at a later date as well. There are many resources on the web to help you. You can engage your children in the process as well, helping them to get into the spirit of the season.

Anyone with a mailbox can surmise the impact of the holiday season on both the demise of trees and the resulting mounds of trash entering the landfill. Of course you will want to send your holiday greetings to many of your friends, family and acquaintances. We suggest that you consider using email, online greeting cards or other electronic methods to express your sentiments. If you must send paper greetings, many post consumer recycled products are available.

Feed your guests a more healthy fare this season. Many holiday classics such as ham, turkey, green beans and even Figgie pudding can be made organically, leaving a more natural footprint on our earth. Make organic and natural treats. Try to find products without excess packaging. Keep these ideas in mind and you may feel better now and tomorrow.

Finally, make a New Year’s resolution to incorporate some of these principals well into next year. You will find that the warmth of the holiday season will be much easier to hold on to.

Well, it’s that time of year again.  It seems like just yesterday that we breathed a sigh of relief as we saw our electric bills taper off as temperatures moderated.  But on the horizon (or precipice as the case may be) are the bitter winds of seasonal change.  Winter is coming, and with it higher energy bills once again.  Moreover, energy consumption and the ecological havoc that ensues.

What is one to do?  I suggest that we take a look at the answers (or at least a couple of them), to that question.  What we do over the next few weeks can have a profound impact upon both the environment and our pocketbook.  As you already know, I am on a journey toward a more natural mindset.  This involves prudence in a variety of areas.  Not the least of which is heating our home.  A U.S department of Energy report suggests that energy prices could rise as much as 21% this winter.  In addition, with the accompanying rise in our collective blood pressure at the sight of our heating bills, the personal and financial costs could be staggering.  With that said, let’s take a look at some solutions.

Every year we hear the usual blah, blah, blah suggesting a major overhaul in our approach to an energy efficient winter.  I am not going to reiterate that here (though I suggest you take a serious look at it).  If you were going to do that, you already would have, right?  Remember, this site is about small but meaningful changes over time.  As we discussed in a previous submission (look here), that type of change is more sustainable  and helps us to move forward along our environmental journey (or any other journey we choose to take).  So, I will just cut to the chase.  The following are 3 simple tips for a more eco-friendly, cost-effective winter.  Oh and by the way.  These will improve your cooling bills in the summer as well!

• Get a professional cleaning, inspection and tune-up of your heat and air system TODAY!  You will save both energy and money over time (including a possible premature replacement of your system).
• Open those blinds and curtains during the day!  If the sun is hitting your window, get free energy! 
• Close your fireplace damper when not in use.  An open damper is like an open window.  Get the point!

For more tips for a happier heating season visit Natural Mindset and sign-up for our weekly eco-tips.

Bob

Yet another category for your enjoyment. “Eco-Ramblings” will let you get it off your chest….or mind. Chat about anything and everything eco. Favorite eco-products, great adventure tourism excursions, activities you are involved in……whatever. Think of this as a lounge, if you will. Grab a cup of coffee, sit down and relax. No pressure here!

See you there,

Bob

www.naturalmindset.com

Hello again folks. I wanted to let you know about a new category for the Blog! “1 Thing” is now available and I encourage you to let us know 1 thing you are doing to enhance the environment. That could be something simple like putting a brick in your toilet tank or something as complicated as installing a complete eco-friendly power system for your home or business. We would love to hear how things are going in your little area of the world.

Thanks,

Bob

www.naturalmindset.com