Say "No" to Bottled H20
This week’s theme at Runner's Lounge TIaRT is… Running Green
I’ve always had a special interest in protecting the environment. I’m not a hardcore tree hugger more like an evolved hippie.
My #1 practice for running green is:
Stop buying bottled water!
There was a time when you couldn’t buy individual bottles of pre-packaged water. Runners had to plan their routes to include public water fountains and gas stations for their water fix.
Now we can pack our water with us in reuseable containers.
And...
One nice trend I’ve noticed at races is Big Gatorade cylinders filled with water. So at your next race, instead of reaching for the free bottle of water - take a paper cup and fill’er up.
Previous posts on water:
Seven Ways Runners Can Go Green
Running and Hydration
Above T-shirt at cafepress
7 comments:
I agree that not buying bottled water is a good place to start. For training runs, I try to plan my route so that I can leave a water bottle, or run by a drinking fountain. I've even participated in a few races that didn't offer paper cups, but instead asked you to bring a bottle and refill it from one of their pitchers. Of course there are times when I'm away from home, and the choices are bottled water or LA city water. In that case, I by the water, and then look for a place to recycle the bottle.
I'm right there with you on the bottled water. When I see those enormous 72 (or whatever it is) packs of water bottles at the store, I can actually feel my blood pressure rise.
I don't know why people even buy bottled water. Aren't there more than enough studies that show that tap water is just as good (some bottled water is tap) if not better as far as health and taste? Then it is costing more, hurting the environment, and more of a hassle. I just use a filter pitcher and keep water cool in my fridge. I fill my running plastic bottles with it.
Thanks for your comments - sounds like some of us know what's good and what's bad.
Five Reasons Not to Drink Bottled Water
I've heard that people in countries where you actually can't drink the tap water, think we are nuts for lugging bottled water around, when there's perfectly fine water on tap.
It would be interesting to trace this strange habit back to it's origins! Who started to sell bottled water, and how did it become such a habit?!
We gave up bottled water for Brita filters a couple of years ago. I also have a Nalgene bottle at work. I've seen the cylinders used at races in Central Park. Only hazard is a lot of falling leaves and sticks get in there, but when you're that thirsty, who cares.
Yes, the plastic water bottle is an oxymoron if I ever saw one! On the one hand, drinking purified water is supposed to be an icon of health, but on the other hand, how healthy are we if we are going through all of these plastics and dumping them everywhere? Kinda funny...
Post a Comment