A locally-based environmental group working to educate and encourage the public
GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. - Tap Water for a Change is the most recent campaign of Green for a Change, a locally-based environmental group working to educate and encourage the public to make healthy choices in their lives. The Tap Water campaign focuses on the many problems relating to water bottled in plastic and the advantages of healthy local tap water.Several events planned include blind taste tests, in which the public is invited to try to tell the difference between a variety of bottled waters and tap water. The first taste test will occur at Guido's on October 17 from 12-3. Other tests will take place next to the post office in Great Barrington, on Saturday, October 24th and Saturday, November 7, from 11 AM - 2 PM. On Sunday, November 8, at 11 AM, there will be a free film festival, held at the Triplex in Great Barrington, featuring the award-winning documentary "Tapped" along with the winners of the Teen Green Flix competition followed by a panel discussion. A taste test will follow in the Triplex lobby.
Last year, Americans bought an estimated 28 billion plastic water bottles and eight out of 10 of these bottles ended up in a landfill. These bottles required more than 17 million barrels of oil enough to fuel 1 million cars for a year - and generated more than 2.5 million tons of carbon dioxide. Corporations that manufacture bottled water, including Coke, Pepsi, and Nestlé, claim that bottled water tastes better and is better for you, but there is ever-increasing evidence of the adverse health effects tied to chemicals leached from the bottles. In addition, much of the water that is sold is in fact, tap water. Other issues center around the depletion of water resources both here in the US and abroad. From India to Michigan and Maine water bottlers are undermining local control of water and threatening the environment.
The Tap Water for a Change campaign began this summer with library displays throughout Berkshire County portraying the waste plastic bottles produce. In addition, ongoing posters at gyms are encouraging members to bring their own reusable water bottles when working out. Over the weekend of November 7 - 8, participating hardware stores and other retailers throughout South County will be offering discounts on water filters and reusable bottles.
To learn more about Green for a Change, please visit its website www.greenforachange.org.
