Aquafina

Water is something that is essential in my diet. My water of choice is Aquafina. I usually am not picky about my water, but at University of Central Arkansas and at  my high school, Central Arkansas Christian, this is the water that was offered. So, over the past few years I have became an Aquafina fan. I noticed that recently the bottle itself had changed. When I began to research why the change happened, I found that this corporation is trying to go green. According to Girls Gone Green, the new Eco-fina is helping the environment in four ways: using less fuel and petroleum and will save up to 20 million pounds of corrugated cardboard each year. Aquafina is really doing its part of helping our environment. 


As found on the Aquafina's website, the name changed to Eco-fina after they released the new bottle that saved  35% plastic. While that number may not seem large, it really is.On Aquafina's website, it said that 75 millions pounds of plastic will be saved yearly.  I found an interesting fact on Wikipedia,  "As of 2009, Aquafina represented 13.4 percent of domestic bottled water sales in the United States, making it the number 1 bottled water brand as measured by retail sales." So 35% of the number one water brand is pretty good if you ask me. 


By using a lighter plastic, it benefits the environment. When the cases of water are being shipped, the load is lighter. The lighter the load, the less gas is used. Everyone knows how expensive gas is and how it effects the environment as we continue to drill the ground for more. According it the U.S. Energy Information Administration, "In 2006, about 331 million barrels of liquid petroleum gases (LPG) and natural gas liquids (NGL) were used to make plastic products in the plastic materials and resins industry in the United States, equal to about 4.6% of total U.S. petroleum consumption. Of the total, 329 million barrels were used as feedstock and 2 million barrels were consumed as fuel." The new Eco-fina water bottles are helping cut down on the use of petroleum when they are being manufactured. 


Not only has Eco-fina improved the water bottle to become more environmental friendly, it also has changed the way that the bottles are packaged in cases. They eliminated the use of a cardboard base. Not using this base will save up to 20 million pounds in eight years according to PepsiCo. 


Aquafina really has it together in the aspect of going green. I commend them for helping to save our environment. I know that not all water companies are taking this measure. Below is a photograph of the new Eco-fina bottle taken by the author. 

http://www.pepsico.com/PressRelease/PEPSICOS-AQUAFINA-LAUNCHES-THE-ECO-FINA-BOTTLE-THE-LIGHTEST-WEIGHT-BOTTLE-IN-THE03252009.html

http://www.aquafina.com/

http://www.girlsgonegreenaction.com/tips/207-new-aquafina-bottles-reduce-plastic-use-by-50-percent

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquafina

http://205.254.135.7/tools/faqs/faq.cfm?id=34&t=6

Walmart

Even though people may look down on Walmart because they are so over powering, they are trying to help our environment to go green. I am not a fan that Walmart has taken over so many small grocery stores and almost acting as a monopoly, however I still do shop there. Even though, I do not necessarily agree with all of the things that Walmart as a corporation does, it is a one stop shop and so it is very practical for me to shop there for groceries and for dry goods such as shampoo and conditioner. While researching how this corporation was going green, I was pleasantly shocked to find out that this big-time corporation is doing it for the right reasons. Below is a video of how Walmart is going green.







 As reading on MSNBC, I came across this quote by Lee Scott, the Chief Executive, “As one of the largest companies in the world, with an expanding global presence, environmental problems are our problems.” To me this shows that the corporation really does see a need to help change the environment, and they are taking matters into their own hands. This video describes that Walmart is going green by using sky lights, motion censored lights, toilets using less water, and receipts that have print of both side.


I know that the Walmart that I shop at incorporates lots of these things. While I know that Walmart may be wanting money to make the men in charge richer, they have have it together while about going green. Walmart is not perfect by any means, they are still trying to work some things out. According to care2.com, by being open 24 hours that burns a lot of energy. Small things like that need to be looked at. However, I give Walmart an A on the task of going green. 


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9815727/ns/us_news-environment/t/wal-mart-going-green/#.Tz4PllzOx_c

http://www.care2.com/causes/wal-mart-going-green-or-greenwashing.html

Starbucks

Starbucks: a place where people go daily to get coffee or pastries. As a college student, I go to Starbucks at least once a week. I have a very hectic schedule so getting small boost of energy is a must to keep me going. Millions of people use Starbucks daily, but how are they trying to protect the environment. With the use of many paper cups daily, is Starbucks doing anything to help our environment such as recycling. After reading about Starbucks, I was kind of disappointed in their efforts of going green. While their intentions seem well, I do not think that their goals are very realistic.

Each year Starbucks sells 3,000,000,000 cups of coffee. While that may be good money for their business, it could potentially be bad for our environment. That is three billion paper cups. If you ask me, that is a lot of paper that should be recycled. In 1985, Starbucks started to offer discounts in help to protect the environment. Each time a customer brings in a reusable mug, they would receive a 10% discount. According to the Starbucks website, “Although we served 6.4 million more beverages in reusable cups in 2010 than 2009, we will need considerable innovation and customer engagement to reach our 2015 goal.”  The Starbucks 2015 goal is to have all of Starbucks cups that are reusable. In my opinion, I think that is a good goal, but not realistic. While I may be wanting to go green, not every person that walks through the doors of Starbucks agree with this.  Another thing that Starbucks is trying is setting out recycle bins, just for your coffee cups in the stores. While that sounds like a good idea, lets be realistic. Most people that go into Starbucks are in a hurry and get their coffee and go. The only time the customer will see the recycle bins is while he or she is running out of the door to their next destination. The bins would be good for customers who stayed in the coffee shop, but from my experience most people are getting their coffee to go.

While Starbucks may not have all of the kinks out yet, what they are trying to do is help the environment. According to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Starbucks is ranked number four in the the top 50 companies going green. “We applaud Starbucks’ leadership in green power purchasing,” said Rick Albright, Director of EPA’s Office of Air, Waste & Toxics in Seattle. “Their actions are helping to protect air quality, green our power supply and create renewable energy jobs.” 


I applaud Starbucks for trying to help to their part, but I do not see their methods advertised a lot, nor do I see reusable mugs being used more than paper cups. I think that to help Starbucks reach their goal, they should advertise their recycle bins more.

Below is a video about Starbucks using reusable mugs. 

http://www.go-green.ae/greenstory_view.php?storyid=1350

http://www.starbucks.com/thebigpicture

http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-1531/Starbucks-Going-Green.html

http://www.starbucks.com/responsibility/learn-more/goals-and-progress/recycling