pretty green girl » eco geeky

Watered Down

janeterin — Thu, 07 May 2009 22:56:54 +0000

Last week, or maybe the week before, Arrowhead brought my workplace an unexpected and unwanted gift with their water delivery – two flats of plastic water bottles. Ugh! We already get the big jugs of water (which they pick up and I believe reuse) so WHY did they think we’d need these? I don’t care if they call them Eco-Shape Bottles – that’s greenwashing if I’ve ever heard it! I’m usually tap water all the way, but we don’t have a sink at work, and I just can’t bring myself to drink water from the bathroom sink. I just keep a giant UCLA cup on my desk that I refill from the water cooler throughout the day. Not difficult at all, and it even makes me drink more (water, that is)!

I told my coworkers that if I saw them drinking from one of these bottles, there would be NO baked goods for a very long time (I occasionally bake treats for the office – I work with all guys and one other girl). I also hid the bottles in another room, slightly out of sight, behind our giant recycling bin.

My threats and sneakiness apparently did not work, as I still saw a few of my coworkers drinking out of them. Yes, I gave them a hard time! I even called my boss out on Twitter. Luckily, we’re a small office and all get along really well. I really do try not to be preachy but seriously, just refill a cup from the water cooler! It’s just as convenient as picking up a bottle! Not to mention that drinking from plastic is not exactly good for you.

We’re having a sandwich potluck next week – everyone brings a sandwich or two cut into 4 pieces so we all get to try each other’s. Fun, huh? Anyway, I Replied to All with this:

I will also be baking something, provided no one is seen drinking from one of those stupid plastic water bottles all week. Seriously, people, bring a cup from home.

The amount of paper cups my office goes through for coffee and water a week is a whole other issue. One of my coworkers showed me the mug he brought from home yesterday (yay, Manoj!) and I’m hoping the rest follow suit. I’m actually thinking about buying everyone a cup with their name on it (resisting the sorority instinct to write them in colorful bubble letters), but I’m not sure if they’d use them.

Is your workplace green? Are there are any non-green habits at your job (or school, etc) that drive you crazy?

Pretty Green Tip: Get it “For Here”

janeterin — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 18:45:24 +0000

I had some time to kill late Friday afternoon while I was waiting for a friend to get off work. I had a long night (comedy show and drinks with friends) ahead of me, so some coffee was in order. I walked by this super cute new coffee place called The Creamery (shouldn’t they sell ice cream? Ah, oh well) and stopped in for a cuppa iced coffee. Since I had time to spare, I got it “for here,” saving a plastic or paper cup. If you have the time, why not sit down and enjoy yourself with a “real” cup?

Short on time? Don’t forget to bring your own super-cute reusable cup to fill up! Check out this one I spied at the salon the other day. Looks like paper, but it’s porcelain! Yes, I totally asked the girl next to me if I could “take a picture for my blog.”

If you can’t find them for sale in your own city (hint: try a museum gift shop), check out Uncommon Goods. It is – unfortunately – made in Taiwan, but we can’t win ‘em all, right?

No Crying Over Spilled Water

janeterin — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 06:33:57 +0000

I just had kind of a ridiculous “pretty green” moment. I opened the fridge just once, after waiting to put a few things away and a glass bottle of sparkling water fell out and spilled all over the floor.

I decided to use the water to mop up the floor a bit. Why not? It’s on my to-do list for tomorrow anyway! Now I’ll get it partially over with and not waste the already spilled water. I’m such a geek!