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…

A Movie Kick

I’ve been watching movies more than usual, for example tonight it was Blue Vinyl. I know I talked about it before, but it is worth bringing up again. It is an amazing movie, done by a really smart, funny woman, Judith Helfand and Daniel B. Gold, the awesome Director of Photography. It you have never seen it, buy the DVD from the Docurama and watch it, then give it to someone else, then someone else, etc. It needs more attention.  Also, for information and support resources for organizing a public or targeted screening of BLUE VINYL contact Molly Ramey at Working Films mramey@workingfilms.org or (910) 342-9000.

Here is where you go to keep up to date with what is going on in the world of PVC, My House is Your House. Judith Helfand is also director of the prequel, “A Healthy Baby Girl“, which I have yet to see.

Let’s get the soy chips and dip and get this party started. : P

-Cara

Sam Suds and the Case of PVC: The Poison Plastic

Marine is designing a crazy cat palace of some sort, so we went to Home Depot yesterday to look for stuff and get ideas. One of the materials Marine wanted to use was PVC…

I almost fainted. :) Marine this entry goes out to you. :* You’re welcome!

There’s an awesome documentary, Blue Vinyl (Netflix has it…just saying…), I watched a million years ago, that schooled me on the evils of PVC.

The most informative site on PVC. – http://www.pvcfree.org/

PBS TV’s “Trade Secrets: A Moyers Report“, a documentary that exposes workplace, and environmental poisoning. Some stuff about PVC and other such things in this one.

And last, but not least, a good read, PVC- A Health Hazard From Production through Disposal.

It’s a shame, I love the new shower smell, the smell of a new car. I can’t tell you how many times I inhaled that smell…deeply.

No PVC for us!

-Cara

Happy Valentine’s Day

Let’s get into some good green loving for Valentine’s Day…

Earth Erotics is an on-line store that offers non-toxic, green sex toys, organic cotton linens, and environmentally friendly bedroom ambience. For the environment and for your health, natural sex toys are PVC-free and phthalate-free.

The Smitten Kitten, an education-based, retail, sex toy store in Minneapolis, doesn’t carry any sex toys containing toxic materials, nor do they purchase products from companies that use hazardous manufacturing processes. They educate consumers about the dangers of toxic sex toys and safe alternatives. To further their goal of industry change, Giordani and Pritchett co-founded the first ever adult consumer advocacy organization, The Coalition Against Toxic Toys, in 2005.

Babeland sells Body Wax Candles made from essential oils that, once melted, can be dripped and rubbed right on the body. Made from soy wax, which burns cleaner and at a lower temperature than paraffin. Available in nude (unscented), lavender, vanilla, mango, and energy.

Where green porn is concerned there is Vegporn.com, the first and only adult site featuring a cast of sexy vegans and vegetarians! Veg Porn is alternative erotica and sex-positive culture for herbivores and those who love them. We think you’ll find something here that tickles you fancy- we welcome models of all shapes and sizes. We also welcome everyone to visit and join the site. I myself enjoy naked vegans cooking shots…who doesn’t really?

Last but not least, for my more conservative constituents, a nice green gift idea is an elephant dung heart shaped paper. “Amazing and beautiful hand crafted message pads, made from elephant dung and recycled paper – you wont believe your eyes. Perfect for jotting down sweet nothings to your loved one.” It is 75% elephant dung and 25% recycled paper

Happy Valentine’s Day.

-Cara