Q&A: De-bottling the workplace

This week's eco-topic: Green workplace

Your eco-questions answered:

Question: I am trying to do a few things around the office to make it "greener." My office is in Riverside, CA; my boss is not concerned at all about being green. But -- I order all supplies, and stock everything so I have a small chance to make a difference.

We go through a large amount of water bottles a day. I started to recycle, but because she will not pay for a recycle bin (if you know how to get a free one in Riverside county please point me in the proper direction) I have to store and take them myself off the clock. I have considered glass cups and a filtered water pitcher instead -- I am concerned the waste from buying a water pitcher and filters is much too -- any ideas on what to offer?

I have already switched to mugs for the coffee, and we use Panache coffee made by the coffee bean international, I remember reading somewhere that they are not fair trade certified, but pay fair trade -- is that correct? Any office ideas would be helpful. -- Melissa

Answer: Kudos to you for going so far as to institute a personal bottle recycling program! To save the planet as well as your time and energy, definitely ditch the water bottles and switch to a filter system -- especially since your office is already set up with coffee mugs, which will work just as well for filtered tap water.

Responsible Purchasing Network's guide to water bottles (PDF) outlines the main financial, environmental, health, and political reasons to take back the tap -- and also gives you some examples of cities that have banned bottled water purchases for its employees. Guess what -- L.A.'s one of those cities, thanks to a 2005 executive order from Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa after the media reported that the city had spent nearly $90,000 on the plasticky stuff.

If you're concerned about the plastic waste from those replaceable Brita filters (though these are still a big enviro-step up from bottled water), consider the ceramic filter, which requires less maintenance, generally holds more water, and is popular with environmentalists.

As for your Pachama coffee: The website's under construction, but Pachama belongs to Coffee Bean International, which does offer some fair trade and organic certified coffees. Look for the fair trade and organic logos on your coffee packages to make sure you're getting the good stuff.

Photo by Joe Philipson via Flickr

Comments

[Michelle]

Good job on ditching the bottled water! Get more facts about bottled water and the impact it has on the environment at www.BottledWaterBlues.com

[kenya at studio 41]

thank you for linking to the grist review. have been wanting to ditch the plastic britta option ... i didn't realize that Gaiam crock had a filter. doh!

thanks again ... love the work you're doing on this blog, bravo!