Brita Water Filters

I received an e-mail yesterday from Becky Verhey on behalf of FilterForGood stating, “Since you wrote about the recyclability of Brita filters, I wanted to give you a heads up that Brita will announce today that it is  offering a recycling solution for its pitcher water filters. ”  She goes on to talk positively about Brita water pitchers, “…it would take 300 standard 16.9-ounce bottles of water to replace just one Brita pitcher filter“.  I wonder if they use any PVC in the making of their filters. I will send them an e-mail and ask.

Here is the information you need, beginning in January 2009, Brita pitcher filters can be dropped off at participating Whole Foods Markets or mailed to Preserve (another company I wrote about), who will recycle 100 percent of each Brita plastic pitcher filter casing collected for use in its line of recyclable household goods.

I have the Ultramax Dispenser and like it. I can also be riddled with less guilt now that I can recycle the filters. I was saving them already to send to FiltersforGood, who were collecting them from people to make a point. Now, hopefully I can just bring them down to the Whole Foods on 14th and have them recycled. I wonder what Whole Foods is going to do with them. I don’t trust that corporation. I worked for them for over five years when I was a kid in Chicago…long story…

I am glad Brita figured something good and I think FilterForGood is fresh for fighting the good fight.

Nice work.

-Cara

Disclaimer: I just need to say I feel weird about Brita and FilterForGood partnering up. I can’t believe the people at Brita are caring for caring’s sake. I guess in the end if there is change for the better… I am not sure…

Shoping Via Mom

My mom sent me this link today. It’s perfect for earth day shopping. Thanks Mom!

Green Coupons and Discounts: 30 Money Saving Deals Good All Month Long! An Earth Day Month of Saving Money on Organic Foods, Paints, More!

Save money on everything you need to go green this April with this exclusive collection of coupons, discounts and deals from some of America’s best eco-friendly manufacturers. From organic foods, low VOC paints, earth-friendly fashions…even gifts for the green pet…we have 30 great finds here on one page. Many of these deals are exclusive to readers of The Daily Green. All together, they’re a recession-busting way to celebrate Earth Day all month by going green. Enjoy…and, Happy Earth Day, everyone!

-Deborah Barrow, Founder, The Daily Green.com.

Who is this Deborah Jones Barrow you may ask? I found via the “About Us” page on The Daily Green.com, Deborah Barrow herself states,

“I had gone to the country to live. After years of the media wars in Manhattan, I was ready to raise heirloom roses in my organic garden. And to volunteer. It was that kind of time.

But then the climate in my garden began to change. And then I saw An Inconvenient Truth. And then one day, my husband Peter said, “Honey, somebody ought to invent a great green website for regular people.”

So, welcome to TheDailyGreen.com.”

Nice…I like her style.

-Cara

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Reason 49 from, 101 Reasons Why I Am Vegetarian:

A study of 49 island countries found 55 percent of their coral reefs overfished. To sustainably harvest the million metric tons of fish taken annually from the islands, 30,000 square miles more of reef–or the equivalent of nearly four Great Barrier Reefs–would be needed. Demand for reef fish is largely coming from Hong Kong traders, who are now supplying a burgeoning market in Mainland China. Reef fish take 5 to 10 years to reach breeding age and so are particularly vulnerable. Fishers capture the fish, live, using cyanide, destroying coral in the process; 75 percent of the fish die even before getting to their market destinations.

Yogurt Toothbrushes!

Recycline Company manufactures and distributes Preserve toothbrushes, tongue cleaners, razors and tableware products. I have never used their products, but I really like how they run their business on paper [or online I should say. :P]. They use recycled plastic in the production of all Preserve products. They formed a partnership with Stonyfield Farm to recycle their plastic yogurt containers and use that plastic in the production of the their line. I love that. They are a super, fresh, ecologically friendly company. That should be an award, The 2008 Super-Fresh, Ecologically Friendly award goes to……Recycline!!! :D :D :D

 

Another environmental kudo for Recycline is they are made in the USA.  Most Preserve products are sold in the United States. By making them here, they can ship them shorter distances, using less fuel and limiting their carbon footprint. Nice…

They do not test on animals, nor do they use vendors or suppliers that do. :)  Recycline states, “In the manufacture of our products, Recycline has not and will not do any testing on animals. Recycline also requires that its vendors and suppliers do not test on animals in the delivery of supplied items.” I love animals…

Last but not least, they have a pdf on their website, so that you can print a postage-paid label to return your used Preserve toothbrushes, razors and tongue cleaners to Recycline. FREE!!! I mean what an awesome company. I love companies that allow me to do the right thing without much effort.

Here is some information they post on their website on why recycled toothbrushes are important.

Why Recycle a Toothbrush?

Dentists nationwide recommend that patients replace their toothbrushes at least 4 times a year. The ADA concurs. Toothbrushes not only lose their effectiveness, but they also build up bacteria. Though the average American currently replaces a brush only 1.5 times a year, replacement is expected to increase due to the growing awareness of the benefits of preventative oral hygiene.

If we all obey our dentists, toothbrushes will begin to make a pretty significant impact on landfills. At present replacement rates, annual toothbrush waste amounts to about 50 million pounds. With the Preserve, significant amounts of plastic waste are diverted from landfills back into usable goods. As toothbrushes become more and more of a consumable, using recycled materials and the Preserve’s recyclable design makes more and more sense.

Now, I just need to try their products and see if they rock. Ugh, that would suck if they were no good. I might still use them just for being so Earth Fresh. Next toothbrush I need, I will pick up a Preserve toothbrush and update this entry with a review of said product. I would also like to know what their employees think of working there and if it turns out good I might just create an award so they can win.

Recycle!

-Cara