I'm starting to see these little empty non-recyclable, non-biodegradable petroleum-based plastic containers everywhere. I've seen entire trash cans filled with these things at convenience stores after the morning rush... day after day.
In this day and age, you would think that Keurig and the companies associated with this product (Paul Newman's Own, Heifer, Green Mountain Coffee, Celestial Seasonings, Ghirardelli) who claim to be "organic" and/or "sustainable", would be more aware of it's impact to our environment.
You can contact these companies at the blog post above.
"The Keurig single-cup brewing system uses a special packaging for coffee, tea and hot cocoa called K-Cup portion packs or "K-Cups". Each K-Cup is an airtight, mini-brewer that locks out oxygen, light, moisture and humidity while locking in freshness and flavor. "
Chemicals in plastics alter the brains of baby boys making them "more feminine", say US researchers.Chemicals in plastics alter the brains of baby boys making them "more feminine", say... more
I think it's kind of sad that it takes people, or organizations, to donate their money (and sometimes) time for environmental issues to be covered. Also, I would think this is more of an environmental journalism thing, not communication, per say. Environmental Communication definatly has a journalistic aspect, and media for sure, but Enviro Comm is more about how we learn and come to out beliefs, attitudes and behaviors towards the environment. Eh, I guess it's all semantics in the end. Anyway, interesting short little article with reader participation.
1,000 miles northeast of Hawaii — In this remote patch of the Pacific Ocean, hundreds of miles from any national boundary, the detritus of human life is collecting in a swirling current so large that it defies precise measurement.
Light bulbs, bottle caps, toothbrushes, Popsicle sticks and tiny pieces of plastic, each the size of a grain of rice, inhabit the Pacific garbage patch, an area of widely dispersed trash that doubles in size every decade and is now believed to be roughly twice the size of Texas. But one research organization estimates that the garbage now actually pervades the Pacific, though most of it is caught in what oceanographers call a gyre like this one — an area of heavy currents and slack winds that keep the trash swirling in a giant whirlpool.
Scientists say the garbage patch is just one of five that may be caught in giant gyres scattered around the world’s oceans. Abandoned fishing gear like buoys, fishing line and nets account for some of the waste, but other items come from land after washing into storm drains and out to sea.
Plastic is the most common refuse in the patch because it is lightweight, durable and an omnipresent, disposable product in both advanced and developing societies. It can float along for hundreds of miles before being caught in a gyre and then, over time, breaking down.
But once it does split into pieces, the fragments look like confetti in the water. Millions, billions, trillions and more of these particles are floating in the world’s trash-filled gyres.
PCBs, DDT and other toxic chemicals cannot dissolve in water, but the plastic absorbs them like a sponge. Fish that feed on plankton ingest the tiny plastic particles. Scientists from the Algalita Marine Research Foundation say that fish tissues contain some of the same chemicals as the plastic. The scientists speculate that toxic chemicals are leaching into fish tissue from the plastic they eat.
The researchers say that when a predator — a larger fish or a person — eats the fish that eats the plastic, that predator may be transferring toxins to its own tissues, and in greater concentrations since toxins from multiple food sources can accumulate in the body.
Charles Moore found the Pacific garbage patch by accident 12 years ago, when he came upon it on his way back from a sailing race in Hawaii. As captain, Mr. Moore ferried three researchers, his first mate and a journalist here this summer in his 10th scientific trip to the site. He is convinced that several similar garbage patches remain to be discovered.
“Anywhere you really look for it, you’re going to see it,” he said.
Many scientists believe there is a garbage patch off the coast of Japan and another in the Sargasso Sea, in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.1,000 miles northeast of Hawaii — In this remote patch of the Pacific Ocean,... more
Come with Andy Smith as he explores Seattle's plastic recycling scene. An original soundtrack, skateboarding, and an insider's look at how a PET bottle links Seattle to China and beyondCome with Andy Smith as he explores Seattle's plastic recycling scene. An original... more
Yes we know, everything causes cancer, nothing is safe for our kids, a lot of paranoia, right?
Sometimes these concerns are for real. A chemical of significant importance to parents and scientists these days is Bisphenol-A (BPA). BPA is a common chemical used in plastics for increased flexibility and molding. It can be found in your child’s plastic sippy cup, binkies, and even canned food. The lining found inside some canned foods is very similar to high density plastics, thus likely to contain significant levels of BPA. Numerous studies have proven that BPA can negatively impact your health. Experts have advised people to shop for BPA-free products. In general, avoiding plastics whenever possible is a good idea.
Read on and read the label before you purchase that pair of dangly keys or canned mac’n’cheese.
Leaching is the process of a chemical seeping out of its original binding and into its surroundings (see example here). A university study was conducted to determine the leaching abilities of plastic bottles wherein the interaction between warm liquids and polycarbonate plastics released Bisphenol A (BPA) into the drinking solution. During the Harvard study, each student was given two polycarbonate bottles, which were not to be cleaned in the dishwasher (to void increased heat) and filled only with cold water. The students’ urine samples came back positive for a BPA increase of 69 percent. Is this a concern? The unfortunate answer is “yes” because BPA has been shown to alter the endocrine system causing early sexual development. Changes in fetal development, sperm production, and malfunctioning hormones are also results of BPA ingestion.
Recently, the University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill released a study, the first of its kind, linking behavioral problems in children from women that were exposed to BPA during pregnancy. The study measured levels of BPA in urine samples at three different stages of pregnancy- the first at 16 weeks, then at 26 weeks and finally at birth. The results showed that the women who had the highest levels of BPA in their systems at the earliest stages of pregnancy had daughters who were more aggressive and hyperactive. To the scientists’ surprise, girls seemed to be the most affected while boys didn’t have a big difference in aggression but instead became more anxious and depressed. The greatest effects caused seem to be those of the earliest exposures. Most women can be affected even before they know they are pregnant, which can later cause even greater problems for their unborn children. Last year Canada became the first country to ban BPA in baby bottles and Wal-Mart and Toys-R-Us have announced they will stock only BPA-free bottles.
It used to be simple. If people were worried about BPA exposure, all they needed to do was go out and buy a BPA-free bottle, usually made from aluminum. However, BPA-free doesn’t necessarily mean BPA-free anymore. A major bottle manufacturer, SIGG, revealed that their supposed BPA-free aluminum bottles actually did contain BPA in bottle linings. Another bottle manufacturer, Gaiam, recently revealed that their BPA-free aluminum bottles did contain BPA, 23.8 parts per billion under extreme heat conditions. This amount is ten times more potent than the BPA levels found in SIGG. So what is a worried consumer to do when bottles claiming to be BPA-free aren’t really BPA-free? Fortunately, more and more options are becoming available for the eco-conscious consumer.
"Up to 80% of the world's toys are made in China - often by children. But there are beautiful and affordable alternatives"
"With the festive countdown underway, the Toy Retailers Association has just released its "dream toys" list of this year's must-have Christmas gifts for kids, which they say won't break the bank
However, according to research recently carried out by Ethical Consumer magazine where I work, the price of many of these toys fail to reflect the hidden environmental and social costs of their production.
Take Hasbro. Its Transformer toys are made with PVC, a plastic that has come under fire from campaigners for its alleged carcinogenic properties and the dangerous byproducts, such as mercury, produced during its manufacture.
The campaigning organisation Centre for Health Environment and Justice says of PVC: "It is useless without the addition of a plethora of toxic additives including phthalates. These chemicals can evaporate or leach out of PVC, posing risks to children."
Hasbro defends the use of PVC, saying it has "carefully considered the science and believe that toys made from PVC and softened with phthalates pose no risk to children".
The EU attempted to remedy the situation in 2005 when it banned certain additives, but many still remain. In contrast to Hasbro, Lego – also on its Christmas list – banned the use of PVC in its products in 2003.
Hasbro has also been challenged over human rights abuses in its Chinese supplier factories. Up to 80% of the world's toys are made in China, where human rights are often overlooked. The report "Nightmare on Sesame Street" by the US-based National Labour Committee last year highlighted many of these problems.
It found that in the Kai Da factory in Shenzhen city, which supplies Hasbro, a hundred 16-year-old high-school children and several younger children were working. Conditions in the factory were said to be dangerous, with potentially toxic solvents and paints routinely handled by workers with only rudimentary protective gear. Shifts were allegedly routinely over 12 hours long, seven days a week, with no days off for many months, plus mandatory 19- and 23-hour shifts at busy times such as the pre-Christmas rush. Workers were also reported to be docked wages for room and board, leaving them receiving only 28 cents an hour. Little wonder, then, that Hasbro toys won't break the bank." http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/green-living-blog/2009/oct/28/ethical-christmas-toys?
Underwater videographer, underwater photographer, and author, Annie Crawley joined Scripps Institute of Oceanography and Project Kaisei aboard the New Horizon on a 3 week long expedition to the North Pacific Gyre. They collected data to help find a solution to the "Plastic Vortex" forming in the Pacific Ocean.Underwater videographer, underwater photographer, and author, Annie Crawley joined... more
Footage from the Kaisei, one of two research vessels Project Kaisei sent to the North Pacific Gyre in August, 2009 to study the extent of the marine debris problem in the gyre, the impact it may be having on marine life and the food chain, and to find ways to catch and recover some of the debris for a larger clean-up effort.Footage from the Kaisei, one of two research vessels Project Kaisei sent to the North... more
Excerpt:
"While I don't really understand why magazines are often packaged in plastic in the first place, Creative Review magazine is trialing a plastic bag that isn't so frustrating. In fact, it sounds downright awesome. It is made from a material developed by CyberPac called 'harmless-dissolve' (no, seriously...that's what it's called) and it dissolves in hot water, making it completely zero waste."
I am really not sure about this.
It's plastic.
Why can't they use hemp or any other plant based substance?
That would be truly Organic and natural.
How does this biodegradable plastic really work and how does it not pollute our water?
Wearing glasses suck. You have to squint to see someone, if you’re bald, you end up looking like an art critic from the severe Berlin coffee houses, & they are just a pain in the ass to schlep around. This is a really funny piece for all 4-eyed folks who want a laugh & can relate. Also funny for those who don’t wear glasses so they can thank-god everyday! Well-written & fun as always—this blog is great! (Fab picture too!).Wearing glasses suck. You have to squint to see someone, if you’re bald, you end up... more
These photographs of albatross chicks were made just a few weeks ago on Midway Atoll, a tiny stretch of sand and coral near the middle of the North Pacific. The nesting babies are fed bellies-full of plastic by their parents, who soar out over the vast polluted ocean collecting what looks to them like food to bring back to their young. On this diet of human trash, every year tens of thousands of albatross chicks die on Midway from starvation, toxicity, and chokingThese photographs of albatross chicks were made just a few weeks ago on Midway Atoll,... more
"The amount of junk in the birds' decomposing bodies seems incomprehensibly large, both because the birds are not too big and because the island is so remote. But preempts these suspicions, remarking:
To document this phenomenon as faithfully as possible, not a single piece of plastic in any of these photographs was moved, placed, manipulated, arranged, or altered in any way. These images depict the actual stomach contents of baby birds in one of the world's most remote marine sanctuaries, more than 2000 miles from the nearest continent."
These photos speak volumes.
To the people that think we are getting rid of our plastic, one day it will be in our bellies too if we continue on this destructive path.That's disgusting and so upsetting.
"The amount of junk in the birds' decomposing... more
With the new MinoHD, you can record up to 120 minutes of HD (720p) video onto the internal 8GB of memory, doubling its predecessor. It sports a 2-inch (diagonal) screen running at a resolution of 960×240. They wrapped it all in an aluminum shell. The folks at Gizmodo got their hands on one and said “The aluminum shell feels great: Much more solid and smaller in the hand than the previous plastic...With the new MinoHD, you can record up to 120 minutes of HD (720p) video onto the... more
7-Eleven knows one thing that drives customers bananas: brown bananas wilting on the counter next to the cashier.
"Our customers want yellow bananas — not brown," says CEO Joseph DePinto.
So, today, the nation's largest convenience store chain will test at 27 Dallas-area locations a new plastic wrap developed by supplier Fresh Del Monte Produce to keep single bananas yellow and firm for five days — more than double the two-day shelf life for an unwrapped banana.
If it's a success, 7-Eleven could roll out plastic-wrapped bananas to most of its 5,787 stores by early 2010. Fresh Del Monte created the wrap, which slows respiration by keeping most oxygen and moisture out. The bananas, green when wrapped, will ripen more slowly.
For 7-Eleven, which is increasingly dependent on fresh food sales as cigarette sales spiral downward, this is no small matter. The chain will sell more than 27 million bananas this year. Folks who walk in for milk or a banana are critical customers the chain cannot afford to disappoint with fruit that looks like grocery store rejects. Selling yellow — not brown — bananas "is one small example of what we need to do to reinvent ourselves," DePinto says.
The move would give the chain a competitive advantage, says Dean Dirks, a consultant in the $623 billion convenience store industry. "That's why just about everyone in business stays away from fresh fruit at the counter."
Not everyone applauds the effort.
"More plastic packaging is not a sustainable solution" says Jenny Powers, Natural Resources Defense Council spokeswoman. "There are better ways than adding a plastic wrapper around something that comes naturally wrapped in the first place."
7-Eleven recognizes that the wrapper could be an environmental issue and has asked supplier Fresh Del Monte to come up with a wrapper that's biodegradable. "We're working at identifying more sustainable packaging," says Dennis Christou, marketing vice president at Fresh Del Monte.
But extending banana shelf life cuts the carbon footprint by reducing store deliveries, he says.
Fresh Del Monte also is using the technology in new fruit vending machines in the Southeast. "Consumers tell us they'll eat more fruit if it's available."
That's what they're telling the entire convenience industry, Dirks says. "But the problem is, what's healthy in a convenience store?"7-Eleven knows one thing that drives customers bananas: brown bananas wilting on the... more
Shouldn't water be clean and safe for free? Isn'it our right?
Why do we have to pay two to three dollars per bottle to have clean water that was purified with reverse osmosis?
What about the people that can't afford it? Are we going to slowly get sickened by it and die?
They should install a huge reverse osmosis filter to clean all of our water for may be a little more of what we pay now if not for free.
As you might know already our water is contaminated by heavy industrial and environmental pollution.
These are some of the contaminants found in tap and some bottled water:
Coliformbacteria,Ecoli,Perchlorate,VOCs,Viruses,Fluoride,Chlorine,Chloramine,Lead,Arsenic,Radon,Herbicides,Pesticides,Cryptosporidium,THMs,MTBE,Bromate,Sulphur,Radioactive materials and all pharmaceutical traces that are very toxic.
Wouldn't this save us millions of plastic bottled water? And what are they waiting for to replace plastic with an eco friendly material? Let's not forget the chemicals that plastic bottles leak in the water as bisphenol A and phthalates.
Chlorine and fluoride are disinfecting our water right now but are well known toxic elements, we could get rid of them with reverse osmosis.
An other method could be distilling it and then adding minerals to it like smart water does but at a local water treatment. What do you think?
It makes me think and amazes me when I read this:
"The truth is, there is no "New" water on this planet. All water is old water that has been recycled continuously for millions of years. We are actually drinking the same water that the dinosaurs drank, recycled obviously by Mother Nature".
PS:
The link is just a picture due to the lack of a specific article about this idea, concept and question open for exploration. "I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world." Albert EinsteinShouldn't water be clean and safe for free? Isn'it our right?
Why do we have to pay... more
Scripps scientist Miriam Goldstein talks about the SEAPLEX expedition to the North Pacific Gyre and how shocked she was to find the amount of plastic on the ocean's surface when she was floating around in a skiff.Scripps scientist Miriam Goldstein talks about the SEAPLEX expedition to the North... more
There are things that you hardly see on television. Not only the hyper-censored Italian television, which responds only to the logic of political affiliation, with very few exceptions, but in televisions around the world, because there are truths that displease too many people. So it happens that some beautiful and very interesting documentaries have a notoriety far lower than they'd deserve.There are things that you hardly see on television. Not only the hyper-censored... more
In the latest study to suggest an association between the plastics chemical bisphenol A (BPA) and adverse effects on humans, researchers report that BPA may affect the behavior of little girls.
Girls exposed to higher levels of BPA displayed more "externalizing" behaviors, such as aggression and hyperactivity, according to the study, which is published in the Oct. 6 online edition of Environmental Health Perspectives.
"We found almost all of the women [in the study] had detectable levels of bisphenol A in at least one of the tests, and elevated concentrations were associated with externalizing behaviors in female children," said study author Joe Braun, a graduate student and research assistant in epidemiology at the Gillings School of Global Public Health at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Not everyone agreed with the study's conclusions, however.
"This type of study has no capability to establish cause and effect, only associations. At the end of the study, the authors even point out that the results 'should be viewed cautiously,'" noted Steven Hentges, executive director of the polycarbonate/BPA global group at the American Chemistry Council, which represents the chemicals industry.
BPA is a commonly used chemical that's found in hard plastics and epoxy resins. The chemical is used in water bottles, food containers, infant bottles and medical devices. BPA may also be found in the lining of canned foods. Most human exposure comes through diet when the chemical leaches into food and beverages from the containers, according to the U.S. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Previous studies suggest that more than 90 percent of people in the United States have detectable levels of BPA in their urine.
Animal studies of the chemical have found an association between BPA and adverse neurodevelopmental effects on fetuses and newborns, according to background information in the study.
After controlling the data to account for numerous possible confounding factors, such as maternal age, race, education and income levels, the researchers didn't find an association between BPA and externalizing behaviors. However, when they split the data by sex, they noted an association between higher BPA levels and more externalizing behaviors in girls.
Braun said that the researchers don't know why there was a difference in the findings by sex, nor did they know what the potential biological mechanism might be that could cause an increase in aggressive behaviors after BPA exposure.
Braun said that parents who are worried about the potential for harm can look for products that specify that they're "BPA-free." He said the chemical is found in many different consumer products and there are no requirements that it be listed on a label, so if a product doesn't clearly state that it doesn't contain BPA, it may be made with the chemical. One known source of BPA is plastics with the number 7 in the recycling symbol.In the latest study to suggest an association between the plastics chemical bisphenol... more
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