Earth Friendly Water Blog

Hope For All. College Students Implement Green Initiatives On Campus

Dave Flanders — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 14:13:00 GMT

College students, with an environmental conscience are paving the way for a brighter future. Their observation of the energy waste on campus, and their positive actions towards its eventual elimination, propels the green movement where it is needed most…in the hearts of America’s youth. With 18-22 year olds courageously voicing their environmental concerns and implementing changes on behalf of the planet, there is hope for a better world.

Marianne Williamson, in A Return to Love, writes:

“Externally, the universe supports our physical survival. Photosynthesis in plants and plankton in the ocean produce the oxygen that we need in order to breathe. It is important to respect the laws that rule the physical universe because violation of these laws threatens our survival. When we pollute the oceans or destroy plant life, we are destroying our support system and so are destroying ourselves.”

It appears that college students understand what their grandparents and parents have done to their beautiful planet, and what must be done in order to counteract and rectify the damage. Students at Seattle University led a 3-year initiative which campaigned against bottled water because of its effects on social justice and environmental impact. Their efforts resulted in a campus-wide ban on bottled water. Eliminated from vending machines, athletic concessions stands, the bookstore, on-campus restaurants and catering services, bottled water is no longer an environmental concern on the Seattle University campus.

Campus-wide bottled water bans can also be found at Jesuit University, University of Portland, Belmont University, Upstate Medical University, the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point and Oberlin College. Gonzaga University, New York University, Stanford University, Stony Brook University, and University of Maryland are five educational institutions where bottled water has been banned specifically from dining halls. At Brown University, Cornell University, Pennsylvania State University, and Evergreen State College, student campaigns are presently working to ban bottled water on campus. The green momentum is alive on these colleges and universities, and the positive environmental impact made by students is undeniable.

Environmentally-Friendly Hydration Stations have become the sustainable solution to the bottled water problem on campuses. These systems eliminate one-time use bottles, as well as the cost and energy waste associated with the production and transportation of bottled water. Using re-usable glasses provided by the cafeteria, or re-useable BPA free plastic bottles or other stainless steel re-usable bottles, students fill up and go, hydrating while reducing their school’s carbon footprint.

The health of our planet is a serious issue, and it is not uncommon for people to shrug it off, as if the problem isn’t theirs to address. That is likely the case because most adults never received the education or the role modeling necessary to do what is right by our environment. When life-long patterns are threatened and change is involved, a lot of people get uncomfortable. It takes massive amounts of courage to face problems square on and to move into action. If the young adults of today had the same mentality as so many of their parents and grandparents, our world wouldn’t stand a chance. However, we are seeing great environmental concern and positive green initiatives come from America’s college students. These people have great courage and willingness to take action on behalf of our planet. What they do now on their campuses, reaches far beyond the walls of their colleges and universities.

These bright students are our future, and our hope for a cleaner, greener world. They are our future teachers and role models. Their present work will carry over into their lives off-campus, possibly fueling their brothers and sisters, their parents, their co-workers, and likely even more, to be environmentally responsible. When they have families, businesses, companies and a community of their own, doing what is right by the environment will be second nature. This is how our world will significantly change for the better. It takes making small steps now, even when doing so is uncomfortable and foreign. To our nation’s college students, thank you for your vision and action. You ARE transforming the world.

Crave Restaurants go green by serving AquaHealth's Vivante Water

Dave Flanders — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 04:25:00 GMT

Saturday, February 26th:

Location: Crave Restaurant, Orlando Florida

Chris Shymanski, Midwest Account Manager from AquaHealth interviews Mike Opalenik, General Manager, from Crave Restaurant in Orlando.

Crave Restaurants only serves Eco-Friendly Vivante Waters from AquaHealth in their 5 Restaurants. Crave Restaurants are located in Minnesota, Nebraska and Orlando.

Newark Academy Students mix up healthy beverages with AquaHealth

Dave Flanders — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 19:35:00 GMT

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Newark Academy - Madison, New Jersey

AquaHealth's Healthy Beverage Program

Douglas Brower on Aquahealth, "The kids love it.They combine our sparkling water with other flavored drinks to create their own sodas"

The Purity Of Bottled Water Is Held In The Vessel

Dave Flanders — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 23:25:00 GMT

The finest hydration source on planet earth is purified, filtered water. Our cells are bathed in this cleansing elixir, enabling us to survive and thrive.

Give the human body pure, clean water, and it can function, some times with ample energy for days, weeks even, without food. Try and reverse that equation and go without clean water, and the resilient human body will be fighting to stay alive. We don’t need food every single day in order to survive, but we do need water. If the water we choose to drink is pristine, our health will reflect that. If not, our bodies will suffer the consequences.

We hear about the advanced filtering processes used by some bottled water companies, and we think, as we should, that the water is crystal clear and superior to that of other water sources. Our health and wellness is of utmost importance, so we pay a pretty penny for what we believe is perfect water. Striving to keep ourselves optimally hydrated, we purchase and drink, purchase and drink this purified bottled water. We’re doing well, aren’t we?

The truth is, the water we drink is only as pure and safe as the vessel. The source of the water may be ridiculously clean, and the filtering and purification process, ideal, but if the vessel holding the water is unfit for human consumption, so too is that once pristine water.
Have you heard of Bisphenol A? Stay tuned, I’ll tell you in my next post just what it is and why we should avoid it.

Choose Earth Friendly Bottled Water & Eliminate Plastic Waste

Dave Flanders — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 04:10:00 GMT

Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson unabashedly shared his sentiments about bottled water: “Bottled water makes no sense, it's the greatest marketing scam of all time.” In an attempt to eliminate the cost and waste associated with this nonsensical product from Salt Lake City, Utah, Anderson has asked city employees to refrain from purchasing bottled water, and instead fill reusable bottles with tap water. Many other American cities have taken similar steps to keep the damaging effects of bottled water at bay. San Francisco is one such city. Due to the efforts of Mayor Gavin Newsom, the city government no longer purchases bottled water for state employees, saving San Francisco $500,000 a year.

Small town America is also taking responsibility for the messy state of the environment, as well as citizens, both young and old. Take historic Concord, Massachusetts, where the sale of bottled water is now illegal. 82 year old activist Jean Hill worked tirelessly to get this bill passed in Concord, lobbying neighbors and acquaintances for months to bring about the change. "All these discarded bottles are damaging our planet, causing clumps of garbage in the oceans that hurt fish, and are creating more pollution on our streets. We only have one planet and I just don't want to see it spoiled," said Hill.

Erik Olsen from the Natural Resources Defense Council also believes that bottled water is environmentally irresponsible. “It (the sale of bottled water) causes 60 million plastic bottles A DAY to be manufactured, transported and then disposed of in U.S. landfills. It’s killing our planet, and for no good reason.” On top of being damaging to our environment, bottled water is also expensive, with the lowliest of brands costing at least $1.00 for a half-liter bottle. However clever the marketing, most bottled water is simply rebottled tap water, and certainly not worth the selling price.

Here we have it: Bottled water is dirtying up our planet and thinning out our wallets, while providing hydration equal to that of tap water. Isn't it time to choose an Earth Friendly Bottled Water and eliminate the damaging plastic waste? Are you ready to jump on "ban the bottled water" bandwagon? If so, here are some great resources to check out:

Food And Water Watch

Take Back The Tap

The Story Of Bottled Water

Ban The Bottle

Tapped The Movie

Inside The Bottle

AquaHealth provides Wow Factor at Woodmark Hotel's 'Bin On the Lake'

Dave Flanders — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 04:17:00 GMT

On January 20, 2011, Steve Donaghy, Executive Vice-President of AquaHealth, spoke with Quentin Incao, Director of Food & Beverage at the Woodmark Hotel in Kirkland, Washington:

Steve: How long has the Woodmark Hotel used AquaHealth’s Sustainable Bottled Water?

Quentin: ‘Bin on the Lake’ Restaurant installed the program in September of 2009. We put in the banquet program about a year ago.

Steve: You use custom bottles, a different one for each program. How is that working out for you?

Quentin: Fantastic! People want to take the bottle home because they have such a unique look. It gives an identity to the bottle and keeps our brand foremost in our guest’s mind.

Steve: What kind of feedback from guests have you received about your sustainable bottled water program?

Quentin: At ‘Bin on the Lake’ it has been extremely positive. It has been a real ‘Wow’ factor and an easy sell for our servers.

Steve: How is your sustainable bottled water sold at ‘Bin on the Lake’?

Quentin: It’s $2.50 per person, all you care to drink, which makes it a fantastic value. It’s a cool concept that is not seen in many local restaurants, but it ensures that most people are drinking it.

Steve: Have you recommend AquaHealth’s sustainable bottled water to others?

Quentin: Yes. I recently gave a tour to managers at the ‘Bellevue Club’ and they are following through with it. I have also recommended the program to other members of the MTM Collection.’

Steve: Quentin, we certainly appreciate the business and thank you for your support

Purified Water, The Healthy Beverage For Optimal Health

Dave Flanders — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 06:21:00 GMT

Water replenishment is essential for the human body to look and feel great, in addition, it enables and maintains optimal levels of health. With our body composition being over 70 percent water, adequate daily water intake is a necessary discipline. Here are a handful of reasons why:

Our lungs expel up to four cups of water every day just by normal breathing, and if it’s cold out, they expel even more.
Our feet sweat out one cup of water even before the sweat of exercise kicks in.
Depending on how many times you visit the bathroom, each visit equates to the loss of one cup of water. So six bathroom trips a day = the loss of six cups of water.
Regular daily perspiration, not the exercise-induced kind, expels two cups of water. Add exercise to the equation, and you can double the amount of water loss.

There isn’t a single cell or system in our body that doesn’t require water. Without this precious liquid, our body is incapable of performing normal and necessary bodily processes and functions. Have you ever experienced excessive thirst, dry mouth, headache, fatigue, dizziness, muscle weakness, or little to no urination? If so, you’ve experienced the telltale signs and symptoms of dehydration. Fortunately, by hydrating your body with adequate water supplies, these uncomfortable symptoms will quickly pass.

Through the years, we’ve been advised to drink eight, 8-ounce glasses of water a day. (about 1.9 liters) It’s called the “8 x 8” rule, and though not backed by scientific evidence it’s commonly used by many to gauge their daily water intake. The Institute of Medicine poses different numbers, recommending that men should consume 13 cups (3 liters) of total beverages a day, and women, a total of 9 cups (2.2 liters). If you feel well, consistently quench your thirst with pure water, and you produce a colorless or slightly yellow normal amount of urine, your body is likely well hydrated, and you have no reason to worry.

Nowadays, sugar and caffeinated drinks are far too popular, and unfortunately for those drinking them, these beverages are inadequate hydration sources. Superior hydration comes from pure water and natural, fresh foods. Ideally, we should aim to get 80 percent of our daily water intake from purified water, fresh fruit and vegetable juices, coconut water, and other healthy beverage options. The remaining 20 percent should come from the foods we consume, like fresh fruits and vegetables, which pack in more than just purified water, with fiber vitamins and minerals to boot.

Drinking adequate water each day has numerous benefits. It keeps our skin hydrated and clear, our joints loose, our energy levels up, and our appetites in check. It also lessens our chance of developing uncomfortable and unhealthy problems like kidney stones, constipation, colds and flu.

With so many benefits, wouldn't it be smart to start upping your own water intake? Then, when you feel and experience the amazing benefits, you can share your story with your friends and family, and inspire them to drink more water too. Within easy reach, we have the most affordable and powerful health elixer available. Fill it up, drink it up. Water, it does a body good.

Healthy Beverage Programs for Weight Loss

Dave Flanders — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 19:15:00 GMT

Nature has a way of providing us with everything we need to be healthy and happy. We have the food and drink of gods in abundance at our fingertips, fruit, vegetables, and clean water, and yet there is an obesity epidemic plaguing our country? Though there are a great number of noble folks out there tirelessly working to educate us about the importance of health and wellness, there are even more businesses with a vested financial interest in keeping Americans fat. If everyone got healthy and knew how to maintain that health through the years, these businesses would be forced to close shop. Of course, they don’t want that, and they use the magic of marketing to keep us locked into buying and consuming their products. Soda, no matter how cleverly marketed, is not and will never be a healthy caloric and hydration source. In fact, this sugar and acid drink plays a definite role in the American obesity drama. Is it possibile for Americans to significantly improve their health simply by eliminating this empty-calorie beverage? Definitely, as long as its replacement is nature’s finest weight-loss elixer…pure water.

The American Chemical Society recently presented research stating that portion control at meals, combined with drinking two 8-ounce glasses of water before breakfast, lunch, and dinner would result in maintained weight loss. By “preloading” with water before eating, your stomach is filled, making you less hungry and less likely to overeat. It also frees up your liver, giving it a much-needed break. The liver, whose main function is to metabolize fat, is called in to support the kidneys when they are water-deprived. Once the kidneys receive adequate hydration, the liver happily goes back to its primary job of converting stored fat to energy. Nothing fancy or expensive is needed to rid our bodies of that stubborn and depressing fat. With good, clean hydration and responsible portion control, our bodies will naturally get lean and healthy.

Brenda Davy, Ph.D., was the leader behind the “preloading” study. She took 48 overweight or obese men and women between the ages of 55 and 75 and put them on a low-calorie diet (1,200 calories per day for women and 1,500 calories per day for men), with half of the participants being instructed to drink 16 ounces of water before meals. After only 90 days, the participants drinking water lost an average of about 15.5 pounds, compared to the 11 pound weight loss of the participants in the control group. A year later, while still following the same regimen, the water drinkers lost an additional 1.5 pounds, while the controlled group gained about 2 pounds.

Drinking more water makes drinking soda and other calorie-laden beverages less likely. According to Stephen Cook, M.D., and obesity expert at the University of Rochester Medical Center, in N.Y., “drinking more water is a low-risk way to lose excess weight, especially if it takes the place of other liquid calories.” For instance, a ‘two can a day’ soda drinker who chooses to swap his sugary beverage for cold, refreshing water, will save about 300 calories a day. Couple that with increased consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables, and significant weight loss in inevitable.

While each person's hydration needs are different, the Institute of Medicine encourages men and women to consume about 3.7 and 2.7 liters of water a day, respectively, including water found in food and other beverages. People trying to lose weight should take advantage of refillable water bottles and fill up and drink up throughout the day. It would also be smart to take the advice of Davy, who recommends drinking two cups of water 20 minutes before each meal.

Pure, filtered water will always be the best hydration option for the health and maintenance of our bodies. Some people however, have a hard time drinking unflavored water. Simply adding fresh lemon, lime or cucumber slices is a great way to add subtle flavor, while imparting alkalizing properties to water. Low calorie healthy beverage options are also available for those who savor flavor without sacrificing their waistlines. Across the country, schools, universities and corporate cafeterias are taking a healthy approach to hydration by eliminating all sugary beverages. Choosing to replace sodas with purified bottled water and healthy beverage programs is a leap in the right direction. With proper and quality hydration, weight loss and maintenance needn’t be such an arduous process. Choose your food wisely, fill up and drink up, and you will certainly attain your greatest wealth…your health.

Healthy Beverage Chat with Craig Traub of SUNY Oswego

Dave Flanders — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 15:20:00 GMT

On December 17, 2010, Steve Donaghy called Craig Traub, Director of Dining Services for The State University of New York at Oswego, as he was wrapping up the Fall Term before the Holidays.

Steve: Hi Craig! How long have SUNY Oswego customers been enjoying AquaHealth Beverages?

Craig: Since this past August.

Steve: What do you like best about having AquaHealth Products on your beverage line?

Craig: The healthy choices it offers my customers.

Steve: How has the service been?

Craig: We have had some bumps in the road. Your third party service provider isn’t the best. I have talked to Mike [Digilio] about it.

Steve: Thanks for that feedback. I will be sure to follow up on your comment. I also look forward to asking you again in a few months and getting a more positive answer. Are there any flavors that your customers enjoy the most?

Craig: The vitamin enhanced flavors, Kiwi-Berry Excel and Exotic Berry are very popular.

Steve: Are there any other flavor directions that you would like to see AquaHealth develop?

Craig: I think you have a really nice assortment of flavors.

Steve: What can we do as a company to make your experience with AquaHealth better?

Craig: I am glad that you asked that question. We need more nutritional information prominently displayed that stresses the healthiness of your products.

Steve: Great information, Craig! I will have Dave Flanders reach out to you to work on that request. Thank you for the business and have an enjoyable Holiday!

Earth-Friendly Portable Water Cart for Green Events

Dave Flanders — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 13:59:00 GMT

Corporate events, company picnics, holiday parties, galas, festivals, and meeting and conventions are a handful of significant events that require tremendous amounts of energy while producing loads of undesirable waste. Though it’s just shy of becoming a trend, green event planning is on the horizon.

Bottled water conservation efforts are powerfully Earth-friendly. Get rid of environmental waste connected to bottled water, and your event is on its way to being green. A sustainable solution is to enlist the help of an Earth-friendly portable water cart. With the cart’s built-in water purifier and chiller system, source water becomes premium filtered water. Guests, using re-usable glasses, freely pour water from re-usable glass carafes and bottles. Whether indoors or out, the portable water cart easily moves to accommodate any event space. This approach appeals to guests and is a sustainable solution to the bottled water problem.

There are also a number of other Eco-friendly ways to 'green' events. Using re-usable utensils, plates and glassware made from recycled glass is the best bet, and second to that, Eco-friendly compostable food service products. Some biodegradable service options will actually break down in just 95 days, as is the case with the non-GMO vegetable starch products. With stylish 100% recycled napkins, guests won't be missing the conventional ones made from virgin paper pulp.

Another positive green step is choosing organic, locally sourced food that has been produced using sustainable farming methods. Buying local food reduces transportation fuel costs, and organic ingredients keep harmful chemicals out of our soil and waterways. Minimizing meat products is another important green initiative because of the dangerous gases (carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide) that are emitted by the raising of livestock. If an event planner is truly looking to reduce an event's carbon footprint, vegetarian or vegan meal options are the way to go.

Buying disposable products, rentals and florals from certified Green Vendors and opting to compost leftovers and recycle trash are fantastic green initiatives. Beyond that, there are solar powered generators, stages and lighting for use at outdoor events, recycled paper invitations printed with soy based ink, menu cards embedded with seeds that guests can plant, and the use of recycled carpets instead of turf for flooring. With the number of creative and effective Earth-friendly ideas to choose from, it's definitely possible to host a successful green event.

Protecting our earth is always the right thing to do, and green event planning is yet another way to accomplish that. I’d like to know your thoughts, and any green ideas you have to share.

Our Healthy Beverage Program at San Francisco State University

Dave Flanders — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 21:57:00 GMT

December 2, 2010

Steve Donaghy, Vice President of AquaHealth sat down with Edward Vicedo, from San Francisco State University to discuss the expansion of the AquaHealth Healthy Beverage Program.

Steve: Edward, you have been offering your students AquaHealth’s Healthy Beverage Program for four months now. How has it been received by your students?

Edward: I think AquaHealth has been extremely popular. The students are pleasantly surprised to discover that they do not need soda in their lives every day.

Steve: What do you think their favorite AquaHealth flavor has been?

Edward - Green Tea first, then Lemon-lime.

Steve – What do you like about AquaHealth & what it offers your students?

Edward – I love the great PR that my account has received for keeping the students health in mind first.

Steve – You have recently decided to expand AquaHealth’s footprint to a second beverage station at San Francisco State. What is the reason for the change?

Edward – When the students were looking for AquaHealth, we wanted it to be easier to find.

Steve – What can we improve on to enhance the AquaHealth experience for you and your customers?

Edward – We would like to add signage around the program to further educate the students.

Steve – We will work with John, in your marketing department, to come up with the proper poster for you. Thank you Edward and Happy Holidays from all of us at AquaHealth!

Filtered and Carbonated Water For Hotels

Dave Flanders — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 16:41:00 GMT

Customer service is at the heart of any good business, especially the lodging industry, which strives to create a homelike atmosphere and comfort level for its guests. With the increasing numbers of earth conscious consumers travelling each year, it’s no wonder that hotels are taking steps to go green. When people recycle, buy products with less packaging, carry reusable water bottles, and use compact fluorescent lighting at home, it is unlikely that they will feel comfortable in a hotel that wastes energy and natural resources. These consumers want green lodging, and the hotel industry knows it.

California was the first to kick off the green lodging movement in 2004 by creating the Green Lodging Program. Designed to recognize and reward environmentally friendly hotels and encourage the patronage of state and government travelers, this program has become the example and inspiration for states and hotels across the country.

The leader in green hospitality is the Missouri based Q Hotel. Formerly the Quarterage Hotel in Kansas City’s Westport, the Q hotel adheres to a 38-point plan that far exceeds most green certification programs. Guests staying at the Q can expect to find Green Seal and recycled content products, compact fluorescent lights, programmable guest room thermostats, low-flow shower heads and toilets, and recycling receptacles in rooms. Guests can also expect that their breakfast leftovers will be composted, that their coffee will be free-trade, and that the wines they drink are organic. The Q bathrooms are equipped with reusable dispensers filled with earth friendly bulk products, eliminating the need for miniature disposable plastic bottles filled with shampoo, soap, lotions and mouthwash. The hotel makes six bikes available for guest use and a hybrid car serves as the hotel shuttle.

Ray Burger, owner of Pineapple Hospitality, a green hotel product supplier and environmental/marketing consulting firm in St. Charles, Mo. cites two reasons why so many businesses are now going green: 1.Technological innovation, and 2. common sense. According to Burger "two years ago no one would have considered using LED (light emitting diode) lights because their quality was so poor, but now they are a viable, affordable, energy efficient option.” He also acknowledges the tremendous economic benefits of greening hotel operations, saying that “greening hotel operations results in water conservation and a huge reduction in waste, not to mention the increased patronage from government and business travelers who are required to stay in lodgings that have implemented some green guidelines.”

Another Earth friendly step that is having a positive impact on the hotel industry is the elimination of bottled water. Simply by installing an in-house water purification and carbonation system, hotels rid their property of plastic water bottles, thereby drastically reducing their carbon footprint. Hotel restaurants were first to install sustainable water systems, offering guests bottomless carafes of filtered still or carbonated water. The benefits for restaurants in terms of patron approval, financial savings, and reduction of waste have been enormous. Hotel owners see that eliminating bottled water will reap the same benefits in their own industry, and have embraced this sustainable solution.
According to Shawn Duke, the general manager at the Q Hotel, green initiatives are worth the effort. “People tell me all the time that they chose our hotel because of our environmental practices.” He says, that the hard work “makes our hotel a better place for our customers.” He also notes that because of their green practices they “save a lot of money too.”

More and more people are living green lifestyles and the wasteful practices of old-school hotels have lost their appeal. With the fast pace of the green trend, it's only a matter of time before the hotel industry becomes carbon neutral. As the hotels do right by the environment, they’ll also do right by consumers.

Environmentally Friendly Water for Restaurants

Dave Flanders — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 01:06:00 GMT

Americans love dining out, and spend a pretty penny doing so. In 2008, it was estimated that Americans would spend $558 billion to fill their bellies on meals prepared outside the home. But just because there are 945,000 restaurants nationwide and hungry people eager to dine, the majority of Americans aren’t willing to settle for just any old restaurant. In fact, the food industry consulting firm Technomic, reported that 79 percent of diners would choose a 'certified green' restaurant over one that wasn’t, and The National Restaurant Association said that 4 out of 10 diners consider the conservation efforts of a restaurant when choosing where to dine out. With so many Americans looking for restaurants that leave a smaller carbon footprint on the environment, it’s no wonder that restauranteurs are taking action.

Restaurants are the retail world’s largest user of energy, and more and more owners are trying to reduce their environmental impact. We see them implementing recycling and composting programs, installing energy and water saving appliances, buying local ingredients, and serving purified tap water. According to Annika Stensson, spokesperson for the NRA, “Restauranteurs are absolutely concerned about environmental sustainability – because it’s the right thing to do, because it can cut costs and save money, and because it appeals to consumers.” The Green Restaurant Association adds that going 'green' is also a good driver of publicity. “You can look far and wide and it will be difficult to find a restaurant that doesn’t want more publicity. Publicity drives customers in. It increases the loyalty of current customers. It makes employees feel good and it creates a stronger brand,” said CEO of the GRA, Michael Oshman. 'Green' restaurants are the buzz, and smart restauranteurs know it.

Eliminating bottled water is a popular 'green' step in the restaurant world. Instead of wasting energy and money shipping water across the world and trucking it to the restaurant, restaurant owners choose to install purified water and carbonation systems. With the systems in place, tap water becomes purified and chilled made-to-order still and sparkling water.

Owners feel that installing purified water and carbonation systems is the right thing to do from an environmental standpoint, because they leave little to no carbon footprint, reduce waste, and boost environmental credibility. From a business standpoint, they also feel it’s the right move.

After installing an in-house water purification and carbonation system, The Sun Dial Bar, and View Restaurant in Atlanta, GA quickly experienced the financial perks of going 'green.' Paul Slogig, their Director of Food and Beverage said “our restaurant chose a sustainable, high quality alternative to bottled water, and our water sales have been an enormous success while generating profit on a monthly basis.”

Saving money and cutting costs are crucial to running a successful restaurant in this current economic environment, and going 'green’ can accomplish both, while also being the right thing to do.

What are the 'green' restaurants in your area doing?

Greener Bottled Water

Dave Flanders — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 16:33:00 GMT

All across America we hear of the dangers bottled water poses to our environment and our health. Blogs, newspaper and magazine articles, Youtube videos and television are broadcasting what will happen to our planet if the world doesn’t stop pouring on the plastic. The multi-billion dollar bottled water industry doesn’t want us to know how serious this problem is, because they make money off of our ignorance. Thankfully there are many non-profit organizations across America who are working to reveal the truth. Due to their efforts, we now have powerful and viable solutions to the growing plastic and water problems.

Food and Water Watch is one such non-profit working to educate Americans about sustainable practices. This group has launched a powerful campaign called Take Back the Tap, which focuses on choosing tap water over the bottled water brands, and reinvesting in America’s water systems. The Take Back the Tap Pledge sends a message to the bottled water industries and to our local governments telling them that we are not happy with the mess that surrounds us and that changes must be made.

Once the darling of the beverage industry, bottled water can no longer mask its warts. Other than being convenient, it possesses no other redeeming qualities. Not too long ago it would have been craziness to sell bottled water, but now it has become part of our culture. Americans shell out a fortune each year to keep the bottled water habit alive. On average we are spending $28,000,000,000 a year on mountain spring water that doesn’t actually come from mountain springs! We have been deceived through grand marketing schemes to believe that our bottled water is crystal clear, sourced from pristine pools on remote islands. Sadly, those lovely pictures on the bottled water labels are misleading, as more than 25 percent of all bottled water is just repackaged tap water, some being filtered and some not. Two popular bottled water brands on the market right now are Aquafina and Dasani, and both are just plain old filtered tap water.

Many of us don’t realize that America has some of the cleanest public water in the world because of the EPA’s strict regulations for purity of tap water. We have been brainwashed to believe that tap water is dirty and harmful to our health, but it isn’t true. Water packaged in plastic...THAT is the dirty, harmful water. Bisphenol A, abbreviated BPA is a toxic substance found in plastic. When plastic comes in contact with water, BPA leaches into the water source, contaminating it. This compound has been found to cause spontaneous miscarriages, cancer, and birth defects, including Down Syndrome. It is extremely harmful to our health, and it is found in the bottled water we drink.

Dealing with the environmental, health and financial woes of traditional bottled water isn’t worth it. But taking back the tap in our homes, schools, offices, restaurants, hotels, malls, airports and parks, is. If we want our planet and ourselves to be healthy for a very long time, it’s time to reach for Greener Bottled Water. Let’s say goodbye to the money sucking and earth damaging bottled water industry and start bottling up our own water. It is really quite simple and unbelievably affordable to create Greener Bottled Water. We just need to get our water from the tap, purify it on the spot using one of the many filtration options now on the market, and bottle it up in reusable, plastic-free containers. That’s all there is to it!

Water that costs Americans ridiculous amounts of money, and damages both our bodies and our planet is not Smart Water. The tide has turned and there’s a Greener Bottled Water wave to ride. I’m on it…are you?

Plastic - How We Reduced Our Use

Dave Flanders — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 01:34:00 GMT

Alden Wicker from huffingtonpost.com has written a great article citing seven do-able ways to ‘Kick The Plastic Habit.’ In this day and age, it is certainly a challenge to live ‘Plastic Free,’ but going with less IS definitely possible. My own family is proof of it.

The Flander’s Family has been plastic conscious for some time now, but my recent research on the Great Pacific Garbage Patch has made us doubly aware of the plastic problem we face. Inspired by Wicker’s September 14, 2010 article, my wife and I decided to step up our game and say ‘NO’ to the plastic packaging we have been bringing into our home.

For the past two weeks, my wife has been preparing homemade meals, as well as condiments, like mayonnaise, ketchup and mustard. She has been buying the ingredients in bulk and storing them in re-useable glass containers in the pantry. Our kitchen has been turning out breads, cereals, almond milk, pasta, sauces, syrups, dips, cookies, ice cream, and chocolates. Mealtimes are more nutritious and delicious, and we have drastically cut back on our plastic consumption.

Our family is happy to have made the commitment to kick the plastic habit. We have put our responsibility to Mother Earth ahead of what is ‘easier,’ and the rewards have surpassed the effort. As a family, we spend more time together at each meal, eating fresh, natural foods, and feeling better because of it. Plus, both parents and children alike are inspired to do his part, so we are a team, working together to reach a common goal.

My kids have been troopers. They decided that they could make the most difference by changing the way their lunches are packed for school. They have replaced traditional plastic sandwich and snack bags with reusable containers and recyclable waxed paper. Knowing that most plastic bottles end up in oceans and landfills, they have opted to carry water to school in BPA free bottles. My wife and I are also carrying our beverages, both hot and cold, in reusable containers. By taking an extra couple minutes to fill up at home, we are both protecting our planet while saving money. It no longer makes sense to do otherwise.

The last huge payoff has been seeing how little plastic we are now throwing away. No longer are we filling a 100 gallon recycling bin every two weeks. Due to our daily efforts, our recycling bin has remained virtually empty for three weeks and counting!

My family is motivated to stay on this path, because we see, that in our small way, we are making a difference.
I recommend checking out Wicker’s Tips and Tricks for living plastic free. It is witty and insightful, plus you too may be inspired to implement one or more of his ideas into your own life. If so, I'd like to hear how it goes!

Plastic - How To Reduce Your Use

Dave Flanders — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 23:32:00 GMT

Check out the seven creative ways Alden Wicker suggests that we reduce our plastic use. Maybe you'll be inspired to choose one that you can start implementing in your own home today. In my next blog post, I'll be sharing my family's experience as we kick our own plastic habit.

7 Ways To Kick The Plastic Habit: Tips And Tricks For Living Plastic Free

By Alden Wicker From The Huffington Post, 9/14/10

1. LEARN TO COOK

No more plastic bags of plastic containers with takeout food, plastic-wrapped forks and knives, and mini plastic packets of soy sauce.
No more plastic trays of microwave meals too.

2. FORGET ABOUT PLASTIC WATER BOTTLES

This is one of the most worthless types of plastic out there. Until more towns start banning water bottles, we just need to get creative on how to cut them out of our lives.

Encourage - no, demand – that public places like train stations, concert and sports venues, and especially parks install more water fountains so people don’t feel the need to shell out for a silly water bottle every time they’re caught without their own.

Do what you can to protect tap water. Take action against polluting industries like coal and fracking so that you can fill up your glass over and over without fear.

3. MAKE YOUR OWN FOOD PRODUCTS

For every thing you learn how to make yourself, you avoid purchasing a plastic-packaged equivalent, saving yourself money in the process. You’ll also know what is going into those food products, instead of the indecipherable ingredients on some processed foods.

Peanut butter, mayonnaise, ketchup, pesto, salsa and guacamole, icing, or really any condiment at all is a cinch to make. If you’re feeling more ambitious, you can try tomato sauce, jam, or pickling.

4. GO VINTAGE AND HANDMADE

Try the endearing mason jar for all of your drinking cup, food storage, and even hand soap dispenser needs.
Snatch up old porcelain and metal hooks for your home, adorable kids toys that are free of the Made In China stamp on the bottom, and lovely worn frames.

5. SAY NO TO FREEBIES

Every time you take a free plastic toy with your meal, a free pharma pen, or a free travel-size shampoo bottle, it's one more piece of plastic floating around in the world.
Decrease demand for items like these with a "No Thanks!"

6. CARRY A REUSABLE BAG

Plastic bags are wreaking havoc on the ocean and environment. Like water bottles, until they get fully banned or taxed, you’ll have to forge ahead in your own no-plastic-bag campaign.

Reusable bags aren’t just for the grocery store; they’re for clothes shopping, the pharmacy, the liquor or wine shop, or carrying out the wrapped-up leftovers from your favorite restaurant. There are even reusable bags just for produce and bulk shopping.

7. KNOW THE RECYCLING RULES

It pays to know what your local recycling municipality will take. I used to throw everything that looked plastic into the bin, thinking it would be sorted out in the end. Boy, was I wrong. Putting an unacceptable piece in there can ruin the entire batch, causing it all to get thrown out.

Check out the number on the bottom, or get a comprehensive guide from your city or town that will tell you what items are ok. (Drink cups? Container lids? Toys?)

Next Up:

Plastic - How We Reduced Our Use

Our Ocean's SOS!

Dave Flanders — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 21:11:00 GMT

Plastic. What today is not made of plastic? Credit cards, packaging, cutlery, portable pencil sharpeners, etc, etc, etc. It’s in just about everything, and seems to be everywhere. Do you ever think about what happens to all that used plastic when it’s no longer serving a purpose? All those countless water bottles, zip lock bags, toys, pens and tupperware? Where does it all go once it leaves your garbage can?

“Out of sight, out of mind” is a childish game so many of us play. Toss something we don’t want and POOF, it is gone, right? No, that’s not how it works. That plastic that seemed so harmless sitting on our desk or on our child’s playroom floor, isn’t as harmless as we might think. The reason being is that plastic is 100% non-biodegradable, so it NEVER, EVER goes away. “The planet is a closed system, so everything that happens on earth stays on earth,” says Steve Fleischli, President of WaterKeeper Alliance. Every bit of plastic manufactured in the past 50 years is still out there. Leave an empty water bottle on the beach and it’s going to float out to sea. In time, it’s likely to degrade into microscopic plastic pellets, but it won’t ever disappear. It will remain on earth indefinitely.

Charles Moore, founder of Algalita Marine Research Foundation detailed the consumption of plastic worldwide. In 1985, it was 108 billions of pounds, 1995: 222 billions of pounds, and in 2007: 403 billions of pounds. In twenty years, the consumption of plastic worldwide has more than tripled. Yes, TRIPLED! Plastic consumption and the consequent plastic debris go hand in hand, so wherever there is an increase in plastic consumption, there in an increase in plastic debris. If plastic is non-biodegradable, where does that debris go? Photography by: Fabi Fliervoet

According to a Greenpeace estimate, 10% of the plastic manufactured each year ends up in our oceans, more specifically in The Great Pacific Garbage Patch. It has been called the largest garbage dump in the world, though the exact size is still unknown. Some researchers report that it is the size of Australia, while others say that it is twice the size of Texas. Regardless of the size comparisons being made, The Great Pacific Garbage Patch spreads across millions of square miles in the Pacific Ocean, extending just off the coast of California all the way to China.

The Patch was discovered in 1997 by the aforementioned Charles Moore, as he sailed the Pacific. It was an accident that Moore found The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, an accident that he turned into his life work. Since then, he has been collecting samples of the growing patch, and educating us about the legacy that we are leaving for future generations.

The garbage Patch is caused by a series of currents in the Pacific Ocean, which create a circular effect pulling trash from North America, Asia and the Hawaiian islands into a “graveyard of trash.” Some estimate that it contains up to 100 million tons of plastic waste, some of it intact, and some widely dispersed as toxic plastic pellets. “It’s like a minestrone soup that’s out there, and all the little vegetables are different colored bits of plastic,” says Moore.

The impact on wildlife caused by this marine litter is disastrous. There is six times as much plastic in the Garbage Patch than there is plankton, and plankton is the area’s most abundant food source. Fish, turtles and birds trying to determine what to eat have a better chance of selecting something made of plastic then real food. Turtles eat plastic bags thinking they are jellyfish, and bottle caps become the food of birds. They mistake this plastic waste as food and die from either toxic poisoning or blockage of their digestive system. The fish at the low end of the food chain consume the microscopic plastic pellets and in turn are eaten by the larger fish that we catch and eat. Hydrophobic pollutants are released by the plastic, which harms the ocean’s food chain, and causes serious health problems for humans.

Our oceans are broken, as Moore confirms in his version of the familiar Humpty Dumpty nursery rhyme: “All the King’s horses and all the King’s men will never gather up all the plastic and put the ocean back together again.” Moore says this for a few reasons. 1. The plastic in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is in various states of breakdown, making some pieces far too tiny to be strained. 2. The ocean is extremely deep and the plastic is making its way from the surface to the ocean floor. 3. The amount of fuel it would take to get ships out to the Patch to collect the plastic would emit dangerous amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. He says that “straining the ocean for plastic would be beyond the budget of any country and it might kill untold amounts of sea life in the process.”

When it comes to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, no one is guiltless. “If you consume and discard goods, you are responsible for some portion of the plastic that is ending up in the ocean, even if you live hundreds of miles from the seaside. People create, consume, and carelessly toss plastics and the litter ends up in the water ways. As the plastic reaches the shoreline, currents carry it out into the ocean and a convergence of currents swirls the plastics into one general area. All rivers lead to the sea, as they say.”
Jaymi Heimbuch from Planet Green

If the tide is going to turn, we need to step up and change our behavior now. It is up to us to handle plastic properly by keeping it on land, and recycling. Plastic will continue to make its way to the oceans unless we keep it from doing so. We are the solution to the plastic pollution.

Next Up:

Plastic - How To Reduce Your Use

Green Alternatives To Bottled Water

Dave Flanders — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 15:44:00 GMT

Ecogreenhotel.com has recently posted an article detailing our

'Greener' Bottled Water Solution.

Click to View Article

All across America, restaurants, hotels, schools and corporations are seeking to reduce their carbon footprint, hoping to do so without sacrificing the taste and quality of the water they serve.

AquaHealth Premium Water is the Eco-Conscious choice for those dealing with traditional bottled water woes. Our water is produced on site, conserving precious natural resources, and our in-house delivery system, and proprietary and customizable filtration gives patrons pure, delicious water with near zero waste.

AquaHealth Premium Water - The 'Greener' Solution

Excited to join Aqua Health

Dave Flanders — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 17:52:00 GMT

Hi, my name is Dave Flanders. I am excited to be part of the team at AquaHealth and look forward to posting weekly updates about AquaHealth on our new blog.

Here is a recent press release about me joining the company.

Wrentham, MA, August 18, 2010 --(PR.com)-- AquaHealth,
Incorporated is pleased to announce the addition of a new member to its management team – Director of Marketing and Business Development, Dave Flanders. AquaHealth is excited to have Mr. Flanders, a proven professional who will help guide the company’s continued growth.

Dave brings over 20 years of experience in the areas of sales, engineering, management and marketing. As Director of Marketing and Business Development, Dave is charged with overseeing sales and operations to streamline AquaHealth’s message, support new customer programs, and build lines of communication between AquaHealth’s growing customer base.

“AquaHealth is positioning itself as the leader in Sustainable Bottled Water Solutions,” said Flanders. “Combining a strong ‘Green’ initiative with AquaHealth’s reputation and momentum in the services space creates a combination that will surely move AquaHealth to a new level. I am excited to be a part of this dedicated and progressive team.”

Prior to AquaHealth, Dave owned and operated Cooler Water, LLC, a Water Filtration Company, specializing in Bottle-less Coolers. Most recently, Dave sold his company to Crystal Rock, Incorporated.

About AquaHealth

AquaHealth, Incorporated offers Sustainable Bottled Water, Healthy Beverage Programs and Hydration Solutions to hospitality, corporations and educational venues across North America. AquaHealth, Incorporated brands their products under the names, AquaHealth TM and Vivante TM.

AquaHealth Sustainable Bottled Water combines an in house delivery system, proprietary and customizable filtration, and reusable glass bottles to create Earth friendly bottled water™. Founders Barclay Hansen and Steve Donaghy have partnered with white tablecloth restaurants, corporations and distinctive hotel properties since 1992 to deliver Vivante Waters, AquaHealth Premium Water, and private labeled products that resonate with quality, sustainability and excellence.

AquaHealth's Premium & Sustainable Bottled Water Program Presentation

Dave Flanders — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 17:49:00 GMT

AquaHealth's Premium & Sustainable Bottled Water Program Presentation

AquaHealth Sustainable Bottled Water Program

Dave Flanders — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 17:47:00 GMT

This video gives a good presentation about our sustainable bottled water program.