Sounds kinky (and maybe even fun for some of you), but what I am weighing is how environmentally-friendly latex balloons are.  Or aren’t.

Five years ago I did a project for my fraternity, during which I found the fact that latex biodegrades at the same rate as an oak leaf: about 26 days.

Well, as I plan for a wedding that is in nine months, I am trying to weigh out different decorating options. You might know what I mean – what do I need to buy, what should I certainly avoid buying, what do the things I buy need to be made of or where… and the questions keep going.

original on Austin Wedding Blog

While I also have to debate the equally pressing question of how tacky balloons are as decorations for anything except a 10-year-old’s birthday party, I decided (at 3 a.m.) to Google how environmentally sound (or destructive) latex balloons are.

As with everything, that all depends on who you ask.

Some blogs have ridiculously uni-dimensional and short-sighted views condoning balloons and claiming “all natural latex balloon releases are safe for the environment“.  There is even a Balloon Council (and several variations) looking out for the welfare of latex workers and balloon advocates everywhere.

I found that many green bloggers out there have already questioned the same thing.  Leslie Garrett over at Gaiam has the most comprehensive weighing of the issue that I have found, sharing the compounding issues such as latex’s slowing of biodegradable capabilities in certain temperatures, as well as her personal experience of constantly finding latex balloon remnants littering the ground.

Plus, what about the plastic ribbons knotted, tangled, and dangling from these balloons?  Those are toxic.  They get tangled around animals or eaten, right?

Some people have tried to feel good about using latex balloons by adding wildflower seeds inside to spread across the land after mass balloon releases.

Change.org has us pondering how many children in India are involved in human trafficking, making the very latex balloons we use to celebrate our own children’s birthdays.  They site this November 23 article from Times Live.

From an environmental perspective, some of my research showed promise that latex balloons can be used responsibly (like this and this).  And everything concludes to Green Sexy’s final thought:  Mylar balloons are always bad, so latex is the choice between the two.

Me though… pictures like this are all I needed to know that, as cute and whimsical as giant balloons are (SERIOUSLY check these cute wedding pics!), I have to decline.

Photograph by: ANDREW BIRAJ Credit: REUTERS

Just because I am blessed to live where I did not have to work in horrible conditions as a child to support my family does not mean I also have the right to buy products manufactured in such ways.

… in fact, it means just the opposite.  It is our responsibility to create a better world for others too.

Sustainably yours,  Ashley Sue

PS. A mere hour after writing this original draft, I went for a walk at Shelley Lake here in Raleigh, NC and spotted this balloon debris just off the path, washed up from flooding… Perpetuating the solid no of balloon use.

Gaiam is the new SIGG, in case you missed the BPA leaching heard ’round the world.

I am out on this one.  Twenty-times the leaching level as SIGG Bottles (manufactured before August 2008), and Gaiam did, indeed, market themselves as “BPA-free”.

THESE companies are why no one middle-America does not give a shit about “green” or “BPA” or “environmentalism“.  They feel they cannot trust the words or the promises. (Yes, I, who do not cuss, just went there…)

That is all you are getting from me regarding BPA.

You want more info? Check Strollerderby, JustGetThere, Mother Nature Network, and of course, Z Recommends.

Moving on…

I have to revive the garbage disposal controversy, as spawned a year and a half ago when Raleigh, NC government banned garbage disposals in homes (and quickly caved under scrutiny from lazy, self-absorbed, financially-influential people who worship their disposals).

A while back, I saw this great article by Raleigh Eco News regarding how “the quality of Falls Lake — Raleigh’s main water supply — is suffering while officials with the power to do something are failing to act”.

Reading it reminded me how ill I am that Raleigh renegged on their garbage disposal ban.

Why do I feel they should be banned?  Well, I do not feel like these sorts of kitchen scraps belong washed down our drain.  Besides killing your plumbing (yes, most of the people I know have to get their disposal repaired or unclogged, which we have never done since we toss our scraps), composting is the optimal option.

Despite Insinkerator’s claims of using the disposal being “green”, I have interesting consensus that it is the worst, most financially costly, most energy and environmentally-inefficient choice.  You pay the plumber, we all pay in higher taxes to come as the burden grows, and the natural waterways pay.

Plus, I see all the time that people who rely on their garbage disposal (usually absent-mindedly even) also are regulars at pouring grease and cooking juices down their drain, which is actually illegal in many states because of pollution.  Don’t believe that many people feel that way?  Just look at this one forum and how people tug-of-war over being able to.

Next time you have potatoes and squash to peel, grease to empty, and plates to scrape off, head to your compost bin or trash bag.

Sustainably yours, Ashley Sue

I may have already shared my final thoughts on the SIGG debaucle, but Z Recommends gave me more food for thought.  Z is good, by the way.  I am not sure how I am only now becoming such a fan of the site.

First, Zrecs gave the full low-down on what sins really were committed versus what it seems to some.

Then, Zrecs shares an actual interview with SIGG CEO Steve Wasik, less than a month after Wasik’s admission of BPA in certain SIGG liners.

Zrecs also shared that independent labs actually show that the SIGG bottle liners in question DO indisputably leach BPA, and why it matters.

Finally, Zrecs shared their 2009 BPA-Free Water Bottle Showdown to give us educated alternatives to SIGG bottles.  After returning mine (I love you still), I walked out of REI with a store voucher instead of a new bottle.  I do not yet trust these new EcoCare SIGG liners (after reports of liners flaking off during normal use), and I hate SIGG’s new uber-cliche-themed bottle designs.  Lame.

Thanks to the BPA-Free Water Bottle Showdown, I actually opted for the 32 ounce, Made in Spain, Laken Classic water bottle from REI.  Yay!

Now, barring finding out that Steve Wasik is the real father of Gisele Bundchen’s unborn child instead of Tom Brady, I am finished.  I have a new bottle coming and will review it when I have it.

Sustainably yours, Ashley Sue

Summer is winding down (technically gone), and thus I realize I must transition away from my trusty SIGG bottle and a favorite summer treat ~ real tomatoes.

Yes, that means that all my tasty garden-grown tomato sandwiches are coming to an end for this year.  Marc and I learned several years ago that store-bought tomatoes are always grainy and flavorless in comparison to the beauty and vivacious taste of real garden-grown tomatoes.  We do not have a garden, but lucky for us, my sister and her husband have a thriving beautiful garden, and Marc’s Mom always has fantastic tomatoes.  We are happy to have a supply on both sides.

I also finally took my SIGG bottle, one I bought early summer of 2008, back to REI.  If you are not familiar with REI, they are an amazing company (co-op) that stands 100% behind every single product they sell.

I spent plenty of time sulking since Steve Wasik’s admission of BPA in pre-August 2008 SIGG bottles.  My bottle and I mourned our relationship having to move on, as we both agreed SIGG should have to replace every single bottle they lied about which they put in trusting consumers’ hands.

Yesterday, however, my bottle and I decided it was a time to celebrate the journeys we have taken together as well as new journeys to come.

Yes, my bottle and I are in a relationship, and the next leg of my journey will be with some other bottle, and the next leg of its journey will be as it joins thousands of other SIGG bottles to be recycled into something new.  Perhaps one day, we will meet again.

So, cheers to what we once had in our lives, cheers to letting go with openness and love, and cheers to taking joy from our pasts to move boldly into new futures.

Sustainably yours,  Ashley Sue

*PS. Asheville friends, I just found out that Greenlife Grocer will replace your SIGG bottles for one with the new EcoCare liner for free, and regardless of whether or not you bought yours there!  No other store in Asheville is doing that (to my knowledge)!

Just like any other media story or corporate scandal that becomes overly saturated throughout the media (as niche as it may be), I am sick of hearing about the SIGG dramas.  If you want my opinions, I’m angry at the distrust caused, and I have stated it here, here, and here.

For an update, however, here is a post by Towns and Trails on REI responding to the SIGG issue.  I love REI for always standing 100% by their products.  Also, SustainLane discusses the embers remaining aglow from this highly unfortunate misstep of the company.

One quick point to remind people, however.  I do not believe the media has created a panic, as SustainLane states.  I, in fact, have seen nearly nothing regarding this when I watch CNN, FOXNews, or local news, all of which I watch lots of.  Instead, we the blogging-community media have expressed our concerns and frustrations.  We, the people, have a voice, and it is utilized for issues like this.  MarketingDaily does a great job explaining this as SIGG proving that consumers own brand.

Also, the argument that older versions of SIGG are safe is definitely questionable, as the “100% leach-free” tests for those SIGG bottles tested only to the parts per billion.  Some tests show that BPA can affect hormones at the parts per million level.  Where are those tests on SIGG?  Want to see two great (opposing) perspectives on this?  Check out this by Treehugger and this by Real Green Girl.  Spectacular.

Sadly, this leads me to say I cannot feel great about the new EcoCare liner in the newer SIGG bottles either.  I just do not have a choice but to assume well of it.

On that note, I am heading to REI now to return my old SIGG, which I am really sad I have to part with… We’ve had good times together.

Sustainably yours,  Ashley Sue

Steve Wasik, CEO of Swiss-made SIGG water bottles, finally offers his full apology for not disclosing to the public that the resin epoxy liner of their reusable water bottles contains trace levels of BPA in products manufactured before August 2008 ~ an admission that made many of their best and biggest advocates outraged and heartbroken.

Unfortunately, I am still learning to be a green CEO. When I took this position, I naively assumed that “green” meant being a steward of the environment…  However, being a green company also means being held to the highest degree of corporate transparency.

I appreciate Steve Wasik’s apology.  A sincere apology is always better late than never.

Regardless, as a CEO, Wasik has failed.  (more…)

In the ongoing BPA battle, Swiss-made SIGG CEO Steve Wasik broke news last week that SIGG bottles manufactured before August 2008 contain BPA.  He assures customers, however, that the pre-August 2008 water-based epoxy liners are safe and durable, as studies show that the liners do not leach the BPA they contain.

I wonder where the ethical line is drawn with SIGG.  Has this seemingly good company done their public wrong by lying?

Yes, I consider this a lie.  A lie by omission, but a lie nonetheless.

In CEO Wasik’s public letter (found here on their website), Wasik admits to (more…)

I follow up the first Tasty Tuesday post with a Wet Wednesday: a recap of Asheville’s Twestival and pledge to help more people have access to clean drinking water. 

If you do not know what Twitter or Twestival is or how important Charity: Water is, check out my previous post here.

Also, however, I found a GREAT post today on The Good Human regarding the greenwash known as “Fiji” bottled water.  All bottled water is, as far as I am concerned, evil.  To present your bottled water company, however, in a masquerade of “every drop is green”, you better be able to deliver.  As we find out, “Fiji” water may be the most atrocious of bottled-water companies.  The Good Human says

So when they say that “Every drop is green”, nothing could be further from the truth. To their credit, they are doing several things to try to be more environmentally friendly, but marketing water sold in a plastic bottle as “green” is definitely not one of them. Add in the fact that a study by the Environmental Working Group found that bottled water had the same amount or more of chemical contaminants than tap water does, and you can really see the greenwashing in full effect. I wish bottled water companies would just come out and say

The Good Human has other posts regarding bottled water from 3000 B.C., 12 Reasons to ditch bottled water and bottled water with medications, fertilizer and disinfectants.  Great reads.

Sustainably yours,

Ashley Sue

Last night, with two people I had just met, I had an amazing conversation regarding definitions.  What is “sustainability”?  What does “greener living” actually mean?  Are there actual standards for these words.

Sean, a new friend, brought up something about Michelin determining nine new initiatives for the company and that six of them focus on sustainability.  According to the conversation, the spokesperson was asked to define what sustainability meant to the company, and the answer was something along the lines of being able to continue manufacturing the best tires on the road, to provide continued work to their employees, etc.

I realized how, skeptics that we are, such an answer often provokes sneers and jeers from environmentalists.  Likewise, for skeptics of environmentalism, such an answer is used as fuel to argue what a joke “sustainability” is.

“Ha!  They’ve defined it themselves.  Their ’sustainability’ has nothing to do with the environment and is all about their bottom line!  Both ’sustainability’ and corporate America are a joke!” both sides say.

To you, I cheerfully say, WAKE UP!  Welcome to the triple bottom line, and realize that measures toward social, environmental, and financial progress is the ultimate answer to our societal and economic ails.

Simply put, I do not believe “sustainability” can be singularly defined.  Honestly, any corporate entity must look at more than their “environmental impact” in deciding the “right” way to conduct business.  

Taking care of employees is vital to corporate and personal sustainability.  This includes affordable health care.  Reasonable pay for work rendered.  Cutting outrages bonuses from execs when times get tough for the nation.  These tactics keep the business afloat (hopefully) during recessions and shows employees gratitude for their hard work by rewarding them with the promise of health to their families.

Environmentally, in many ways, making your building more energy efficient and initiating gas-conservation tactics for your fleet help the environment.  Sometimes, those initiatives cost more initially, but will dramatically reduce expenses in the long term.  Thus, what is “right” for the environment is also “right” for the company bank account.  

 We would love to think companies are thinking more altruistically in these times, but honestly, UPS didn’t “Go Green” purely so that Indian will stop crying.  They knew they would save money, and the goodwill from the citizens that their efforts earned give them PR that no money can buy.  Genius.

If that turns you off from UPS and other companies making “greener” efforts, think again.  Regardless of their motives, consider how much of a difference UPS makes alone on airline emissions:

With almost 600 jets, the Atlanta company ranks as one of the biggest airlines in the world. As part of its environmental effort to curb emissions, UPS is looking to cut down on the amount of fuel its planes consume by reducing the amount of time jets spend idling on the tarmac before they take off, UPS chief information officer David Barnes tells the Business Technology Blog.

That doesn’t even take into account their ground fleet of hybrids, efficient routing, paperless invoices, etc.  Kudos to them!  I do not ask why they chose these efforts.  I applaud their commitment to progress and reevaluation.

I may not agree with many practices of Walmart, but I have even stopped touting them as the Anti-Christ because of their continued efforts to be more environmentally sound.  Now, if they would focus on the social aspect of the Triple Bottom Line… but I digress.

After Sean got me thinking about our terminology and what a joke it is, I still have to say, I feel more optimistic and empowered than ever.  Whether these companies have progressive, conscientious CEOs, or whether they feel the heat of consumer demands and expectations, or even if these companies are looking for the best ways to save money without resorting to sweatshops and toxic materials, more companies are growing sustainably every day.

And I will continue to applaud them.  Vocally, but more importantly, with my money.  Believe me, they hear money louder than any other tactic.  If you buy, they keep working on goals they already have.  If the money starts to dry up, they rethink what they do.

When I need new tires, you can count on the fact I’ll be looking toward Michelin for mine.  And if those two articles don’t convince you to do the same, maybe this one will.

Sustainably yours,  Ashley Sue