Major company Coca-Cola is trying to be greener by changing the material of their bottles. This new material still uses some petroleum based plastic, but 30% of the material is derived from sugar cane and molasses instead. Dasani (bottled water) will be the first lab rat for this new packaging experience. Depending on how the results are, Coke plans to implement the new bottle for all of its products.

We think that it is great that a company is not only looking to reduce the amount of plastic in their products, but trying to change the actual material as well. We hope that a corporation as large as Coca-Cola will find ways to do even better than this, however. Maybe their competitors will come up with something even better. Maybe Pepsi will come up with the next big change? Until then, we believe that 30% of non-petroleum based plastic is better then nothing, and fully support Coca-Cola’s efforts and hope their tests go well!

Looking forward to the next big plastic packaging changes! Any ideas?

[source]

People are constantly debating whether bottled water is actually better or worse for our health and the environment. We are going to tackle some of these concerns.

• Some bottled water is the same as tap, and some bottled water is filtered. With this in mind, why do we need a plastic bottle of water, when we can filter it ourselves? Use a Brita Filter to filter your water. If you do, you will be saving  a lot of plastic and a lot of money, while still getting the filtration you want. To handle the Brita Filter in an environmentally friendly way, learn how to recycle your Brita Filters properly.
• If you purchase a Brita Filter and switch to tap, you will probably want a convenient way to transport your water. Purchase an eco-friendly water bottle such as a Klean Kanteen
  which does not leech any toxins into your beverage of choice, can hold ice cubes, and is reuseable. Your plastic water bottle cannot do all of that.
• If you are so driven to use a plastic water bottle, try to use a company that reduces the amount of plastic and packaging. Nestlé (Poland Spring, Ozarka, Arrowhead, and Ice Mountain) has reduced the amount of plastic in its bottles and even the amount of paper on its label. Nestlé  has reduced their plastic use more than any other company I have researched. However, after Nestlé made its change, many other companies now have plans to follow suit. Research each company before you buy, and think about whether you really need to buy so many plastic bottles, when you could keep refilling one eco-friendly bottle. Also, make sure that the plastic bottle gets recycled. The majority of plastic bottles in the world are not.

On a side note, soda bottles require even more plastic to help contain the CO2 inside. Instead of buying cans or smaller bottles, shop for a two liter and use a reusable bottle to transport for your day to day needs. Again, recycle every can. If you are not sure how to recycle aluminum cans or plastic bottles in your area, go to Earth911.org for more information.

Use a filter. Purchase a reusable bottle. Drink green.