wnyc.org / 93.9fm / am 820

Comments

• [1] hjs from 11211 March 10, 2008 - 10:32AM

  I rarely buy bottled water but if I do I reuse the bottle over and over again.

  
  
• [2] Paul from Brooklyn March 10, 2008 - 10:34AM

  In light of the preceding story; Forgive them lord. They know not what they do.

  
  
• [3] Carlo Altomare from Manhattan March 10, 2008 - 10:34AM

  I never fell for it all these years. I do filter my NY tap water. When I run, for example, I fill my own bottle.

  
  
• [4] david ores md from Manhattan March 10, 2008 - 10:36AM

  making the millions of tons of plastic ADDS into the water system a lot of the horrible chemicals people drink bottled water to avoid. A paradox?

  dr dave

  
  
• [5] Howard Heller from Bronx, NY March 10, 2008 - 10:37AM

  Does anybody sense the irony in discussing this topic in juxtaposition to the previous topic concerning the safety of the public water supply.

  One of the first arguments people make against bottled water here is "how wonderful NYC water is", which is highlighted against the prospect of having estrogen and other pharmaceuticals in the water supply.

  Ultimately, I agree that we need to decrease our use of bottled water. It is definitely the "green" way to go.

  
  
• [6] Jon from LES March 10, 2008 - 10:38AM

  I am a PSFC member.

  Tying this segment into the last one, the food coop I belonged to in Ann Arbor, MI purchased and ran a large reverse osmosis system and sold water from this system by the gallon (or pint, quart, etc). This would be a great option for the COOP and would address the concerns of folks who are purchasing water because they are concerned with what is in their tap water.

  
  
• [7] Karen from NJ March 10, 2008 - 10:39AM

  How about bottled baby water? I only use that for my baby because I hear that tap water in NJ is not very clean. Now maybe I need to think twice.

  
  
• [8] Natasha from Brooklyn March 10, 2008 - 10:39AM

  I am a co-op member and was surprised that the co-op carried bottled water when I joined a year and a half ago. In light of the last segment, the co-op could install a reverse-osmosis filter on site and charge a nominal fee to fill up reusable containers. Considering the fact that most members are commited to using their own bags for shopping rather than using pastic bags, this would not be such a challenge.

  
  
• [9] robert from park slope March 10, 2008 - 10:40AM

  why must the coop leadership decide for all of its members? why not just put the information out there and let members/customers make their own decisions?

  
  
• [10] Tricia from Brooklyn March 10, 2008 - 10:44AM

  As he mentioned, the best alternative for reusing bottles is stainless steel bottles. They don't leach plastics/phthalates or weird tastes into your water. I found them online and at Whole Foods (which has cute designs). The Kleen Kanteen brand has a stainless-steel cap, too.

  http://greenhome.com/products/kitchen/kitchen_drawer/112149/

  http://www.greenfeet.com/items.asp?Cc=STEEL_WTR_BOTTL

  I got a teeny one for my toddler niece to start reducing her plastics exposure ASAP. :-)

  
  
• [11] Peter Piper from manhattan March 10, 2008 - 10:45AM

  #8 Robert,

  ...Because it's Park Slope.

  The co-op leadership clearly knows whats best for you. I mean they didn't get to where they are for nuthin!

  Might as well call it the the Park Slope Health and Welfare Ministry or the Slope Politburo.

  It's a nice little portent of Big'Bama Government plans...

  
  
• [12] susan from NYC March 10, 2008 - 10:45AM

  the broadcast referred to concerns about bottle re-use but it seems like these concerns are the result of 'urban legend' - see this site - http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/petbottles.asp

  
  
• [13] burtnor from upper west side March 10, 2008 - 10:50AM

  Brian-- There are 4 issues (not 2) re bottled water:

  1) energy used in transporting water to the bottler and to the store;

  2) zero regulation of what is in the bottle (at least half the time it is tap water);

  3) chemicals leaching from the plastic into the water;

  4) disposal of plastic bottles (non-biodegradeable, usually not recycled).

  There are several reusable plastic bottle alternatives on the market. Best choice, according to many, is Klean Kanteen (stainless steel). Second choice is Sigg (ceramic lined aluminum). Both brands are available in various sizes with sport or screw tops. (Nalgene is NOT a good idea.) Built NY makes handy neoprene insulating sleeves.

  
  
• [14] hjs from 11211 March 10, 2008 - 10:53AM

  thanks susan

  i heard reuse problem was urban legend and was wonder why it was said unchallenged. glad for the link.

  
  
• [15] James from NYC March 10, 2008 - 11:00AM

  I work for a multinational law firm that has stopped offering bottled water in its New York office to its employees and clients. I thought it important to note that the bottled water dilemma is being addressed by people and organizations well beyond the Brooklyn food co-op.

  
  
• [16] Tricia from Brooklyn March 10, 2008 - 11:07AM

  The jury's out. I like to err on the side of caution, reducing exposure to toxins without going crazy about it.

  National Geo's Report on Plastic Leaching

  http://www.thegreenguide.com/reports/product.mhtml?id=44

  What's in your water bottle besides water?

  http://www.thegreenguide.com/doc/ask/nalgene

  
  
• [17] Janet from Brooklyn March 10, 2008 - 02:03PM

  I'm a coop member and agree it's much more environmentally efficient to process NYC tap water, but have to note that the coop has been moving away from environmental efficiency in the last few years, now offering meat, disposable diapers, and other earth-unfriendly items which members demanded we sell.