Save our Planet - Idling Isn't Cool...Please don't leave car engines on while parked. Thank you! On a daily basis, Americans as a whole may be burning as much as 3.8 million gallons of gasoline from voluntary idling, which, in turn, results in producing about 40,000 tons of carbon dioxide. Annually, the cumulative effect is staggering, as we may be uselessly burning 1.4 billion gallons of gasoline and emitting 13 million tons of carbon dioxide as a result.Voluntary idling is one of the many daily actions that seem negligible but that, when taken cumulatively, can have a large impact on total emissions of carbon dioxide and on the environment more generally. The pernicious impact of idling has long been recognized. Many countries have pursued anti-idling initiatives, including a nationwide campaign in Canada and regional campaigns in Japan and Great Britain. Domestically, at least 13 states have state-wide anti-idling laws, and scores of counties and cities have their own anti-idling rules.
Did you know... that these are easy ways that we can all eliminate voluntary idling:while waiting for a child to get into the car, in school pick-up and drop-off lanes, while talking on cell phones, and when warming up the car in the morning.
Did you know... that you can improve your child's environment by sponsoring an anti-idling campaign at your local school or school district? Visit http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/transportation/personal/idling.cfm?attr=0
No more Plastic!!! - KICK THE WATER BOTTLE HABIT!Buy a SIGG non-leaching bottle and fill 'er up!If you're already staying hydrated with home-filtered or delivered water and using reusable water bottles, you rule.Americans use 4 million plastic bottles every hour yet only one bottle out of four is recycled. The Earth Policy Institute, a federal program working to reduce fossil fuel emissions, estimates that 10 million barrels of oil are used in new bottles made each year. In terms of "carbon footprint" the fossil fuel emissions discharged for the product made it's huge. Researchers have estimated that it takes 1,000 years for plastic to break down. I have chosen to not contribute to this global issue any longer. My solution is the best one I could find and that is to offer you water to refill your reusable water bottles.
Plastic Water BottlesBottled water is here to stay, a booming industry that grosses more than $7 billion dollars a year in the US. Water is good, hydration is essential, especially when exercising, which is also good. But the bottle you drink from may be dangerous to your health.Polycarbonate water bottles (labeled #7) contain bisphenol A (BPA), which leaches from the plastic even at room temperature and has been linked to chromosome damage and hormone disruption. These are the types of plastic Nalgene water bottles found in sports stores.#1 PET or PETE bottles (polyethylene terephthalate) may leach DEHA, a known carcinogen, if used more than once. Additionally, your water bottle that has been refilled is likely to contain potentially harmful bacteria that grow on saliva, food particles, and fecal material from unwashed hands. Many people have reported getting diarrhea from their reused water bottles. Washing bottles with hot water and detergent or a rinse with bleach will sanitize them, but also leaches harmful chemicals out of the plastic.
What to do?Use metal bottles. A Swiss company, SIGG, makes colorful and safe aluminum drinking bottles lined with an impermeable alloy. They offer both children's and adult's sizes and designs. Wash these bottles and their tops with hot water by hand after use. Dishwashers may not get into the narrow mouths of water bottles to clean their interiors.Safer plastic containers are polyethylene #2 and #4 (High density HDPE #2 and Low density LDPE #4). HDPE is used for milk, water, juice, and yogurt containers. LDPE is used for squeezable bottles (honey, mustard, etc.).Buy food products packaged in glass whenever possible. Use glass containers for storing leftovers.
Relatively safe#1 polyethylene terephalate (PET) used only once#2 and #4 polyethylene
Unsafe#5 polypropylene (catsup bottles, yogurt containers)#6 polystyrene (Styrofoam)#7 polycarbonate (Nalgene) water bottles
Never useFood or drinks heated in plastic containers in a microwave.Styrofoam cups (polystyrene #6), especially for hot liquids.#7 polycarbonate (Nalgene) water bottlesPlastic baby bottles. If you must use bottles, use only glass baby bottles with silicone, not latex, nipples.
Do not reuse plastic water bottles.
