Comments on: Watered Down

By: Scoop

Scoop — Sun, 10 May 2009 05:02:50 +0000

With little things, my workplace is trying – there are now compost and recycle bins everywhere in the cafeteria. But in the break rooms, we are still using styrofoam cups. I don’t understand that. Of course, there are larger initiatives – we actually have solar panels on certain buildings that generate some degree of electricity and interior office lights have motion control timers, to name just a few.

By: Hallie

Hallie — Sat, 09 May 2009 21:30:40 +0000

My workplace is def green…I mean it’s not perfect but we’re going for (or maybe got?) LEED certified silver so all our cleaning products are “green,” we recycle pretty much everything possible (we’re even allowed to bring in our batteries to recycle at work), and we stopped selling bottled water at our cafe and instead have a free water pitcher. We redid our air-conditioning/heating system to be more engergy-smart, yadda yadda yadda. It’s in our mission to protect and respect our natural world, so we kinda have to walk the walk, haha.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Fri, 08 May 2009 19:38:20 +0000

my workplace is def not green … but it’s trying!! still, so much gets thrown away that does not need to be.

good for you for standing up to the practices where you are and trying to change your coworkers’ habits!

By: janeterin

janeterin — Fri, 08 May 2009 18:20:44 +0000

Luckily they don’t normally deliver them – it was a one-time thing. A “gift” I think, trying to get us to sign up for them. I think not! That’s a good idea to send them back – I think one of the flats is still unopened.

We do have the paper cups for clients, which I don’t mind! I just wish the people who work there every day would bring their own!

By: jaime

jaime — Fri, 08 May 2009 18:17:45 +0000

Next time, just ask Arrowhead to take the flats of water back when they switch out their containers. You can also ask the person in charge of water at your office to remove that off of your delivery options- that’s what we did at my prior company. That being said, sometimes it’s nice to have a few bottles around for clients- or at least cups.

By: redheadyellowdog

redheadyellowdog — Fri, 08 May 2009 12:37:57 +0000

ugh that’s SO frustrating! My office tries to be green but they miss the mark on some stuff. they just switched to biodegradable cups, spoons, forks etc. which is better..but still unnecessary to use that stuff. and the amount of waste here is ridic. like those healthy choice meals?? and fast food packaging? argh! it really gets to me.

By: laura

laura — Fri, 08 May 2009 00:34:06 +0000

yeah see I work at home and I am the boss so all green activities are strictly adhered to…that or dinner is burnt as hell
my teenage son is our biggest trouble he buys everything in disposable containers and then chucks them although I have whipped him into to shape with recycling milk jugs

By: janeterin

janeterin — Fri, 08 May 2009 00:10:00 +0000

That’s a great idea I didn’t think of! I’ll see if there is an org we can donate to!

I can think of two times I’ve used a plastic water bottle in the past year – once, after running a half-marathon (for the next I’ll be prepared with my Sigg at the finish line!) and at a friend’s party where they handed it to me. That one is still sitting in my cabinet waiting to be reused. I like your flower idea!

Ugh, I know exactly how you feel. It’s not hard to remember if it’s important to you, you know? There is no reason to toss out that cup after a few sips or bring a new bag every day! Drives me up the wall! I hope some day it becomes second nature for people to reject plastic and bring their own utensils, bottles, etc!

By: Heather (be well & take care)

Heather (be well & take care) — Thu, 07 May 2009 23:19:40 +0000

Could you guys give them to the homeless or something? At least knowing that someone who may not have access to fresh/clean water could get them, and then you can encourage them to use SF’s wonderful recycling program? I hate bottled water (I did my final speech in speech class on why you shouldn’t buy/drink it!!!) but I am also torn when someone buys some for you/gives it to you/etc and what to do with it. I will drink it but reuse the bottle repeatedly and find some use for it. My current bottle on my desk at work has a flower in it!

The whole “eco” bottle thing KILLS me. It’s PLASTIC, people!!!!!

My workplace is definitely NOT green. We have a Crystal water fountain with plastic cups on top. Most people fill up their own bottles/containers but some still drink a few sips from the cup and throw them away. I try to find a balance between educating and preaching, but it’s so frustrating when they JUST don’t get it. One of my co-worker brings her lunch in a plastic bag every day and then throws the bag away when she’s done. I bought her a Whole Foods bag and she uses it sometimes, but she says things like “oh but it’s so hard to remember it!” …ugh!