Microplastics in Plastic Bottles

Less than a month into the New Year, researchers at Columbia University and Rutgers University issued findings on the distressing micro and nano-plastics found in plastic water bottles. The study revealed a staggering average of 240,000 microplastics in everyday liters of water. Researchers took five separate samples looking at three popular bottled water brands. Although the sampled brands remain anonymous, the microplastic levels ran between 110,000 and 400,000 per liter.  

What does this mean for human health? Currently, research on the effects of micro and nano-plastics on human health is minimal. However, researchers do know some things to be true. Once certain microplastics leak into an environment, they will likely stay forever. The human gut accumulates much of the micro and nano-plastics ingested. Researchers attribute this to the minuscule size of specific plastic particles. Some variations present in bottled water are less than a micrometer (a millionth of a meter).  

Recent studies have proven that the time and intensity of microplastic exposure impact the effects. Many studies consider drinking water the most pervasive issue of long-term exposure to plastic particles. These analyses found adverse effects on mouse models, saying “long-term inflammation of particles in liver tissues and chronic inflammation could lead to liver disease and chronic pulmonary disorders” (Gambino et al.). 

Despite minimal research on the human effects, Duke University professor of medicine and comparative oncology director Jason Somarelli found more than 100 known cancer-causing chemicals in bottled water plastics in work yet to be published.  

Reusable Water Bottles Have Become the New Norm 

Not only can reusable water bottles reduce the time and intensity of microplastic exposure, but they also improve the global carbon footprint. A study conducted by Oceana estimates that only a 10% increase in market share for soft drink beverages sold in refillable bottles could reduce marine plastic pollution by 22%. This reduction would help prevent tap water microplastic contamination, ultimately mitigating climate change.   

Individuals can also make a tangible impact by substituting plastic water bottles with refillable ones. According to a report published by Plastic Oceans, plastic bottles make up 14% of littered waste. When one person switches to a reusable bottle, they would have prevented approximately 170 plastic bottles from being improperly discarded in just one year. 

The cost effectiveness of reusable water bottles is often overlooked. A paper produced by The Earth Policy Institute explains that bottled water costs more than gasoline at $10 per gallon. Comparatively, the average cost of tap water is about $0.002 per gallon. For manufacturers, this means lower production costs. 

Filtered Bottle Filling Stations Facilitate Good Environmental and Human Health  

A popular alternative on the rise are filtered bottle-filling stations like the Hydration Station Bottle Filler and Drinking Fountain. These stations compliment reusable water bottle use by encouraging people to refill their water throughout the day.

While the initial installment of hydration stations may seem costly, they have a lifespan of up to 12 years, provided they are cost-efficient and eco-friendly. Research at the University of Chicago examined an average of 177,480 plastic water bottles saved across 102 bottle-filling stations over two weeks (Piccirillo-Stosser 25). Over a nine-month school year, this constitutes around 3,470,177 plastic water bottles.

Alongside cost efficiency and environmental mitigation, bottle fillers and drinking fountains improve general health. Unlike reusable bottles alone and plastic water bottles, filtered bottle filling stations guarantee fresh, filtered water. Some benefits of drinking filtered water include increased hydration, better taste and smell, decreased risk of certain cancers, and a strengthened immune system.

Seeking Sustainable Bottle Fillers 

The findings of microplastics in plastic water bottles emphasize the importance of mindfulness when it comes to hydration. While transitioning to reusable water bottles protects individual and environmental health, the communal impact of bottle fillers and fountains amplifies the efficacy of health-driven initiatives.  

Click here to learn more about the Hydration Station Bottle Filler and Drinking Fountain. Choose wisely for a healthier and greener tomorrow. 

With the Hydration By Haws™ Bottle Filler Fundraising Program, your group can easily raise the funds to earn your own Hydration By Haws™ Bottle Filler! With no out-of-pocket costs and easy payment options, the Hydration By Haws™ Bottle Filler can quickly be installed at your location.

Sign up your group and receive 300 custom Nalgene® bottles printed with your selected logo and start selling. After 90 days, pay for the Hydration By Haws™ bottle filler with the bottle sale proceeds. No money comes out of your budget!

How to get started:

1. Submit a request to receive pricing, options, and the order form
2. Place your order selecting the  product model type and bottle color along with your custom logo for the bottles
3. Receive and install your new bottle filler right away
4. Sell the custom Nalgene^® bottles
5. Proceeds pay for the new bottle filler and the bottles!

To learn more about the program or to get started, visit the Fundraising Page or watch the short presentation below that goes over the fundraising program details.

Looking for a low-cost, easy-to-install bottle filler to provide drinking water? Sick of trying to fill up your bottle in the drinking fountain? Look no further!

The Haws Bottle Filler, model 1900, features a patent pending reversible drain, enabling the unit to be installed above most existing drinking fountains or electric water coolers or be mounted as a stand-alone fixture.

KEY FEATURES:
• Patented push-button operation
• No electrical required
• 100% lead-free waterways
• Patent-pending reversible drain can be   turned inward for in-wall waste hook-     up
• Separate mounting frame allows for quick and easy installation
• ADA compliant
• Universal fit

Click here to request a quote or to buy now!

FRONT DRAIN                                                                          REAR DRAIN

Can Drinking Fountains Make a Comeback?

In an effort to not use plastic water bottles, drinking fountains are coming back into style. Drinking fountains are saving the environment while keeping people hydrated (Go Haws!).

In Lafayette, Louisiana, a few men who are frequent runners, are in works of bringing drinking fountains back to Lafayette and they are seeking help. Last fall, Mark C. LeBlanc and Butch Roussel were running together and lamenting that the lack of drinking water fountains limited to their route. Roussel had just launched civicside.com, a crowdfunding/kick-starter website to fund community projects,”That seemed like a logical way to bring filtered water fountains to various neighborhoods where people are active”, LeBlanc said.

The Hydrate Lafayette project took months to coordinate. Getting permission and help from from various Lafayette businesses and organizations like: consolidated government departments, works with a plumber, homeowners, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s Department of Industrial Design, and architecture took time.

LeBlanc stated,”A couple of people in Lafayette have water fountains on their mailboxes. They let anyone drink out of them. That gave us the idea to see if we could get more homeowners to put fountains in.”

“Using 80 percent recycled materials, UL students designed and built several structures to support a water source and four winners were selected”, LeBlanc said. Four others will be pedestal-type fountains similar to brick mailboxes, he said.

Now they’re trying to fund the $14,500 project through civicside.com under Hydrate Lafayette. As of noon 6/5/15, they were approaching 30 percent of their goal with only 24 days left.

The drinking stations will serve runners, bicyclists, walkers, children playing in neighborhoods, pets, the homeless and athletes. Two station locations that have been revealed thus far at St. Joseph Diner and the UL intramural field.

“The initial idea was for runners and walkers, people who are active,” Roussel said. “But when you involve something like St. Joseph Diner, that’s an area of town where people could use the fountain for a necessity, not because I don’t want to bring my water bottle around.”

It’s about more than that for LeBlanc, too.

“I would like to see it succeed to prove to the public if you want something done you don’t have to wait for politicians and bureaucrats to do it,” he said.

Want to help fund public water fountains in Lafayette?

Visit civicside.com and Hydrate Lafayette.

Source: Claire Taylor

Three new bottle fillers have been added at the University-Student Union (U-SU) at California State University, Los Angeles!

ASI’s Vice-President for Academic Governance, Nicholas Carrillo says, “The Space Allocation and Building Use Committee wanted to provide students the opportunity to have healthier and more sustainable drinking options on campus. We want to encourage students to stray away from bringing or purchasing water bottles and instead bring your own to refill throughout the day.” What a great way to Drink Up!

To read the full article by Donia Solano, click here.

To learn more about the model 1900 bottle filler, click here.

Haws will be exhibiting at the American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE) beginning today in Chicago, IL at McCormick Place. ASPE will be celebrating 50 years of advancing plumbing engineering at this biennial exposition September 22-23rd.

ASPE’s Convention and Exposition is the ONLY industry event designed to showcase innovations in plumbing system design—where plumbing engineers, designers, specifiers, and contractors can learn about the latest plumbing products, services, and design techniques. 

Come by our booth #1338 to view the new Model 1900 bottle filler.

You’ll also want to stop by our booth to see the AXION Advantage system, the winner of the 2014 OH&S New Product of the Year Award, the 2014 ISHN Readers’ Choice Award and the American Society of Safety Engineers- Safety Show’s Attendee Choice Award.

Lastly, its not too late to sign up for a free expo pass at ASPE by clicking here.

Come see us BOOTH #1338!

Haws® Introduces New Bottle Filler at Breakthrough Price, Providing Retrofit or Stand-Alone Installation Options

Haws is proud to announce availability of the plumbing industry’s lowest-cost Bottle Filler, Model 1900. The Haws Bottle Filler features a patent-pending reversible drain, enabling the unit to be installed above an existing drinking fountain or mounted as a stand-alone fixture.

Featuring the industry’s lowest list price, the unit provides drinking water to schools, offices, and indoor facilities at a fraction of the cost of a typical bottle filler.

Key Features:

• 100% lead-free waterways
• Patent-pending reversible drain can be turned inward for in-wall waste hook-up
• Separate mounting frame allows for quick and easy installation
• ADA compliant

Learn more about the Haws Bottle Filler (Model 1900) Now »

Upcoming Events

September 15-17 – NSC
Haws will be exhibiting at the National Safety Council Expo being held September 15-17th in San Diego. Visit us at booth #2138 to see some of our latest safety innovations including the AXION Advantage™ system, ISHN Reader’s Choice Award Winner 2014. Sign up for a free expo pass at NSC by clicking here.

September 22-23 – ASPE
The American Society of Plumbing Engineers will be celebrating 50 years of advancing plumbing engineering at their biennial exposition September 22-23rd in Chicago and Haws will be participating. Come by booth #1338 to view the new Model 1900 bottle filler. Sign up for a free expo pass at ASPE by clicking here.

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