Interesting Facts

According to research carried out by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy and water filter company Brita UK, Brits are needlessly buying bottled water in restaurants and pubs because they feel too awkward to ask for free tap water. (Many people are unaware of the fact that, in England, Scotland and Wales, licensed premises such as bars, restaurants and theatres are required by law to provide free drinking water on request (although they can charge for the use of a glass). Of course there is nothing worse than an awkward Brit, and I fully understand our reluctance to dare to ask for something for nothing.)

Hamburg, Germany has banned coffee pods from all state-run buildings as part of an environmental drive to reduce waste. (In fact, the inventor of the American version of the coffee capsule, John Sylvan, has admitted he regrets ever inventing them due to their environmental impact:  Some pods contain 6 grams of coffee, but have 3 grams of packaging, and because they are made of mixed materials, combined with organic content, they are extremely difficult to recycle. Imagine if cars were sold like that.)

Some of you might have seen the devastation surrounding the recent UK flooding, and heard that one of the problems is lack of investment in flood prevention.  What you might not know is that the Environment Agency can only spend money on flood defences if each pound spent will prevent  £ 8 of damage. (How much can you calculate the cost of the damage to the Environment Agency's reputation?) If you don't know how bad it is:- http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-26071149 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-26065858

According to green campaigners, damage done to the environment by America's love of gas-guzzling cars, fast food and McMansions, is far outweighed by the US public's insistence on extra-soft, quilted and multi-ply toilet paper. (98% of the toilet paper used in the USA comes from virgin wood, in Europe and Latin America, up to 40% of toilet paper comes from recycled products. Longer fibres in virgin wood are easier to lay out and fluff up for a softer tissue for a soft backside. After all fluffy loo paper vs the future of the planet? No contest really.) Source: The Guardian

Every day UK parents bin eight million nappies. (So, is it irresponsible to use disposable nappies because they damage the environment, or are disposables heroes, for allowing women to spend less time cleaning soiled children and more time on work, leisure and the brighter side of parenting?)