Monthly Archives: November 2008

Brita + Preserve = Pitcher Filter Recycling in 2009

Take Back the Filter has a great announcement up right now – Brita has partnered with Preserve so that the Brita Pitcher filters can be recycled starting in January 2009. You can read the entire PDF press release here.

I’m quite delighted, and hopeful that this includes their Brita On Tap filters, as that’s what I have. The release doesn’t mention them at all.

It’s a pretty nice deal. If there’s a Whole Foods near you, there will be a place for you to drop your filters off. Otherwise, you can just mail them in.

While I’m disappointed that my filter isn’t listed as included yet, it’s a nice first step. If the lack of recycling for filters has held you back from buying a Brita pitcher, that limitation is now gone, or at least gone in January, which is near enough for shopping purposes. That’s not long at all to start holding on to cartridges if you haven’t started doing that, as well.

I’m also thinking this could make for a nice combination for Christmas presents if you know anyone still buying bottled water. Get them a Brita pitcher and a reusable bottle (maybe more, depending on family size), with a note about recycling the pitcher filters. Might just work for those who make excuses about their tap water quality.

Sunday Links 11-16-08

Going to try something new here. Since I read a lot of interesting stuff during the week, I’m going to try sharing them on Sundays.

Some Thoughts on the Small House Movement: Is It Something Worth Considering? – What defines a small house is pretty much a matter of perspective, but anything that encourages people to think past the McMansion trend can’t be all that bad. I grew up in a house that was 1800 square feet, yet in my mother’s neighborhood one family moved in and knocked down their house to build a new one because “everyone knows” you can’t raise 3 kids in less than 3000 square feet. My mother raised 4 of us, and it was quite comfortable.

There are studies. And then there are studies. – BPA isn’t the only area where the FDA is ignoring their responsibilities toward consumers in favor of industry. This time it’s perchlorate in drinking water.

Corn Bag Critters: A Natural Alternative to Electric Heating Pads – I love this idea. My grandmother made similar bags with rice. They’re wonderful!

Here Comes The Flu – 10 Ways To Beat It The Natural Way! – Some great tips for coping with the flu. Good to consider at this time of year. I haven’t tried them, but I don’t have the flu right now either.

Do You Have “Issues” Buying Used Clothing and Gear for Baby? – I sure don’t, but a lot of people do. This baby I’m carrying now will be getting a lot of hand me downs from relatives. Why would a baby care about “new”?

Sex, Lies, and Antibiotics: Tyson Caught Lying About Antibiotic-Free Chicken – So… injecting eggs and treating their feed is still “antibiotic-free”. Amazing.

No, Changing A Light Bulb Won’t Fix Everything. – True, but it’s not a bad start.

Are You Recycling Right? What About Reusing?

November 15 is America Recycles Day. It’s a nice concept, but as this article on TreeHugger points out, not quite perfect.

Recycling, quite simply, is not always the answer. Using reusable containers is a better solution whenever it’s practical. The article doesn’t really get into the times when recycling really is the best option, however. There’s only so much paper you can reuse, even with children all too interested in doing crafts.

But when you’re talking about drink containers, reusable is a great idea. That’s why buying reusable bottles is so encouraged, rather than buying bottled water.

It’s more difficult with a lot of other drinks. In my area I can save a lot by buying milk in gallons rather than half gallons. The cartons are more recyclable, of course, but the gallon jugs are at least #2 plastic, and so reasonably recyclable.

The challenge with putting larger quantities of milk into something more reusable or recyclable is that they would probably end up heavier. Glass bottles are great for reusing or recycling, but they’re HEAVY in comparison with plastic or cartons.

Then again, I have read about the new milk jugs Walmart has been distributing since earlier this year. They’re more efficient for storage and transportation. Reusable would be nice, but we can’t have everything every time.

The part we as consumers need to look at, of course, is whether we can encourage more reusable containers where recyclable ones are now preferred. We also need to consider how these containers get back for refills. Should they just go in with the current recyclables for convenience, and then be shipped from a central point? Will enough people bring back reusable containers even to get a deposit back?

It’s rarely so simple a question. But we need an answer.

For now, when you shop, think about not just recyclable containers, but reusable as well. They don’t have to be reused by you, but there’s a reason why reuse is more important than recycle.

Green Rainy Day Play

Rain has come to southern California at last! Yes, I know many of you have had lots of rain already, but the other day was our first really significant rain. It rained hard enough at times to make the back yard into a puddle.

rainy day play

I’m one of those moms who lets her kids go out and play in the rain, so my daughter was utterly crushed when I wouldn’t let her play in that storm. I had a good reason, though; she was headed to a friend’s birthday party shortly.

Under normal conditions though, I love letting them play in the rain. I did it as a kid. Lots of good memories from getting completely soaked.

Then comes the time to call the kids in, dry them off, hang up coats and umbrellas where they can dry, and find something more interesting than just staring at a movie on television for the kids to do.

1. Make a fort.

This works year round, of course! However, if the weather is cold outside it’s a nice way for the kids to have a cozy little place to play.

2. Bake.

There’s nothing like warm treats on a cold day.

3. Read stories together cuddled with a blanket.

Just so much fun to do something together while you keep warm.

4. Pull out rainy day activity books.

There are plenty of titles to choose from. Once the kids are done playing in the rain, new science projects, making play dough and so forth can help keep them and you occupied.

5. Indoor hide and seek.

This was one of my favorites as a kid. It’s generally best to have rules against running, ad if you’re hiding any presents for the upcoming holidays, make sure you don’t let them hide where you hide the gifts! There’s a reason why my closet is off limits to the kids for playing, and it’s not just the mess they make in there pushing things around.

6. Go to an indoor mall with a play area.

Not to shop, unless there’s something you really need there. When your kids are just too full of energy and still young enough for the indoor mall play areas, they can be a huge help.

Fast food places also generally have play areas, but it’s probably going to be harder to avoid buying treats if you go there. If there’s a children’s gym in your area that has open play times, they can be another good option to get the excess energy out.

Grocery Stores and Organic Food

CNN has an interesting story up right now on America’s healthiest grocery stores. As they say, some stores on the list you’d expect to see, but others are quite surprising.

Whole Foods is #1 one on the list, which should surprise no one. They’re not a store I go to often, as they are about a half hour to 45 minute drive away. However, Henry’s is local to me and now owned by Whole Foods. They’re a lot smaller at each location, but a similar kind of store with local, organic and conventionally grown produce.

Many of the stores are relatively regional, so you won’t find the entire list in your area. Others are ones you wouldn’t expect to find on this kind of list, such as Safeway. They’re a big company, and may have different names in other areas. I don’t know how the different names impact what they do with organic and other healthy produce.

This list really shows just how mainstream the availability of organic produce has become. You’ll still pay a premium for organic produce, as a rule, but you can find it just about anywhere.

You have a lot of options beyond grocery stores in many areas. Local Harvest is a great place to look for food coops and CSAs in your area.