Earth Week Daily Tip #1 nix your Plastic Bottles

OK, I just read an article in the magazine Discover ab0ut plastic that reminded me I never posted my daily Earth Week tips to my blog.

I will begin with the one on plastics. Plastics have been called the "global warming of biology and human health" because of their far reaching and drastic effects. The two worst chemicals we are currently aware of that come from plastic are BPA and phthalates. These are linked to cancer, and lots of abnormalities in the hormonal and reproductive systems. In fact the plastic exposure of a pregnant woman can not only effect her unborn daughter but can effect the eggs that are growing in her daughter, hence effecting the woman's grandchildren as well.

Europe has banned these chemicals from children's toys as has California beginning in 2009. But they are everywhere, so think about where you can use less plastic, switch to glass or metal when possible and for gods sake stop buying water in plastic water bottles!

So here is my first of five Earth Week tips, included are pictures, facts, links for more information, and simple actions to take. And remember, EVERYDAY is earthday.

Daily tips: Plastic Bottles:

The following pictures are from Chris Jordon’s work which can be seen online at:

http://www.chrisjordan.com/current_set2.php?id=7

This picture depicts two million plastic beverage bottles, the number used in the US every five minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Zoomed in:

Plastic bottle facts:

Americans use over 50 billion disposable plastic water bottles a year!

Only 23% of these get recycled.

In 2007 we spent $16 billion on bottled water. That’s more than we spent on iPods or movie tickets.

Plastics leach harmful chemicals into the water you drink. Number 1 and 7 plastics are the worst. They leach chemicals linked to cancer, type 2 diabetes and other diseases. These are especially harmful to children!

Bottled water, unless it says “spring water” is actually tap water that has been bottled and sold for huge profit.

plastic water bottle facts
http://earth911.org/recycling/plastic-bottle-recycling/plastic-bottle-recycling-facts/

article on chemicals that leak from plastic water bottles, including baby bottles and most bottled water:
http://trusted.md/blog/vreni_gurd/2007/03/29/plastic_water_bottles

Actions to take:

- Use a refillable water bottle, especially here in San Francisco where we have some of the best drinking water in the country. Metal bottles are the best! Plus the water stays colder and does not taste like plastic. Think of all the money you will save!

- do not reuse plastic water bottles, the older they get, the more they leach

- make sure any bottles you use do get recycled!

- Do not drink out of plastic bottles if they have been left in the sun or put in the freezer, both increase the amount of chemicals that leach into the water.