Born of a 10-year old concern for the environment after collecting
half-full recycle bins at his school and seeing too many kids, parents
and even teachers using plastic bottles everyday, JustAddWater! is an
original initiative aimed at reducing plastic use around the world and
in our community. What did the 10-year old learn by getting involved in
this project? He learned about BPA, the toxic chemical found in all
plastic bottles and even some canned food... he learned about the waste
and pollution we generate in the world by making and buying plastic
bottles, wrappers, containers... he learned about the great garbage
patch in the Pacific, about twice the size of Texas... he learned that
fish, birds and other sea creatures are eating our plastic waste... and
that it all comes back to us as we, in turn, eat some of these
animals... but most important he learned there are alternatives... and
hope.
So, a few adults adults decided to help. After all, 4th-graders
are not the ones who have made plastic a household name. Unfortunately,
most of them were fed milk from plastic baby bottles, taking in
pollutants we could not reasonably wish for our children. We, the
adults, have made plastic what it is, we have created it, designed it,
sold it, and bought it...
Knowledge is key...
Did you know that... it takes the equivalent (in natural resources and
pollution) to 3-5 plastic bottles to produce just one ? ...if the water
we use at home cost what bottled water costs, our monthly water bills
would run $9,000 ? ...bottled water is up to 2000 times more
energy-intensive to produce/bottle than tap water? ...making bottles to
meet America's demand for bottled water requires more than 1.5 million
barrels of oil annually, enough to fuel some 100,000 cars for a year ?
And finally... that a disturbing number of bottled water brands tested
contained significant contamination? Of 103 brands surveyed, 22 percent
contained chemical contaminants that, if consumed over a long period of
time, would cause cancer or other health problems.
Action is needed...
So let's act together by educating our children as it my not be too late
for them. The world has options and one of them is to use non-polluting
or more environmentally-friendly water containers such as stainless
steel water bottles... not aluminum (these are coated inside with
BPA...). Refillable at any water fountain with no toxic release from
plastic. Remember: the hotter it is (that's when we buy more plastic
water bottles), the more chemicals are released in the water...
Thirsty ? Think before you drink !
It doesn't stop with stainless steel vs. plastic. No, think reusable
grocery bags, healthy snacks such as fruits instead of candy bars in
plastic wrappers, no more disposable plastic cups for birthday parties
(try paper, a composting product), no more plastic party trays... Seems
extreme or too harsh? Well, not when you think that already, plastic
containers are part of your diet as we pollute our water and food
sources with them. Would you knowingly eat plastic and feed it to your
children? Probably not although each time you buy a plastic water or
juice bottle, that's what you do.
We are on a mission and we hope you will join us. One kid and a couple
of adults may not make a big difference but 10, 100, or 1000 will...
Check out the rest of the site for solutions we offer to communities
around the country and here in New Mexico. Let's be the first community
to come out of our comfort-induced torpor and make a positive impression
on our children.
Let's recycle plastic until we need it less or not at all. We need to go
back to a healthier living. We owe it to ourselves and our children.
Born of a 10-year old concern for the environment after collecting
half-full recycle bins at his school and seeing too many kids, parents
and even teachers using plastic bottles everyday, JustAddWater! is an
original initiative aimed at reducing plastic use around the world and
in our community. What did the 10-year old learn by getting involved in
this project? He learned about BPA, the toxic chemical found in all
plastic bottles and even some canned food... he learned about the waste
and pollution we generate in the world by making and buying plastic
bottles, wrappers, containers... he learned about the great garbage
patch in the Pacific, about twice the size of Texas... he learned that
fish, birds and other sea creatures are eating our plastic waste... and
that it all comes back to us as we, in turn, eat some of these
animals... but most important he learned there are alternatives... and
hope.