Strategy: Hydrate Sustainably
By: Lindsay Edwards, PSS Intern
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Have you ever thought about what type of reusable water bottle is the most sustainable and healthiest? Water bottle decision making can be complex -- the three most popular choices on the market are plastic, glass, and stainless steel.
In terms of safety and personal health, there are varying effects from these three material options. Plastic water bottles can leach out dangerous chemicals into the water before consumption if the water is stored in the bottle for a long duration or at elevated temperatures. Glass water bottles can be dangerous if broken, especially on the deck of a swimming pool. Stainless steel bottles, alternatively, do not leach chemicals and are durable.
While stainless steel may be the leader in terms of safety and health, there are other life-cycle factors in choosing the “most sustainable” water bottle including:
- recyclability,
- reuse,
- transportation required, and
- pollution emitted during the manufacturing process.
Plastic water bottles are often thrown out but many can be recycled. Plastic is a light material so transportation involves a smaller carbon footprint; yet the initial production of plastic bottles has a high level of pollution. Glass water bottles are intended for multiple uses yet the bottles can shatter before more uses and not all types of glass can be recycled. This heavier material also leads to higher transportation related pollution. The carbon emissions from the production of the bottles are very similar to those from plastic production. Stainless steel bottles are more likely to have many uses due to the durable and corrosion-resistant material and are also able to be recycled. This light material allows for smaller carbon footprint from travelling, yet the mining necessary to procure virgin materials is energy intensive and polluting.
The advantages and disadvantages of each water bottle can make selecting the “perfect” water bottle seem near impossible. That said, try to find a water bottle that you can use for a long time that is affordable and sustainable!
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Integration: Creating Fitwel Occupants
By: Teddy Plisko, PSS Intern
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The three pillars of environmental sustainability are people, profit, and planet. The
Fitwel standard focuses on the first pillar – healthy people. Created by the
US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the
General Services Administration (GSA),
Fitwel is a building certification system that focuses on building occupants. Introduced in 2015,
Fitwel focuses on the overall health and wellness of those who live or work in the building instead of the physical structure of a building.
Fitwel grades building operations on seven different criteria:
- Impacts community health
- Reduces morbidity
- Supports social equality for vulnerable populations
- Instills feelings of well-being
- Provides healthy food options
- Promotes occupant safety
- Increases physical activity
Fitwel certification is currently available on two different levels: (1) for non-residential buildings such as office buildings and (2) residential buildings such as people’s private homes. For more details and to receive a
Fitwel rating, register on
Fitwel’s Online
Scorecard.
Fitwel certification is a fresh, innovative method to rate buildings -- instead of rating a building’s construction or design, rating the overall impact of a building on its occupants is better. A sustainable building leads to a healthier environment, both inside and outside of the building. A
Fitwel rating gives a broader look at the effectiveness of the building, and how it affects those who live or work there.
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Results: Surf Your Watershed
By: Cat Pendleton, PSS Intern
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The Chesapeake Bay is a vital piece of Maryland’s culture and history, and the Inner Harbor in Baltimore is a popular gathering place in the city, even if the water is not yet swimmable. When it comes to keeping our watersheds and those of us who live nearby happy and healthy, do you know what else can be done in addition to picking up litter and avoiding pesticides? At a
Baltimore Urban Watershed Partnership gathering at the
Parks and People Foundation on June 14, presenters shared information on a variety of topics such as the:
- United States Geological Survey discussed an upcoming workshop on actionable science and toxin monitoring and also described efforts to monitor the Jones Falls waterway;
- Chesapeake Bay Trust focused a presentation on outreach, messaging, and behavior in regards to affecting positive change for the environment;
- Growing Green Initiative has been transforming formerly unused public areas into vibrant spaces that benefit nearby communities; and
- Plisko Sustainable Solutions discussed the Green Team at MedStar Harbor Hospital and how they have been empowered with knowledge to fix a recurring problem regarding stormwater.
Those attending the Baltimore Urban Watershed Partnership Presentation learned that stormwater can be problematic in more than one way. Besides causing flooding, it can affect drinking water, accumulate debris, contaminate seafood, and more. Thankfully, there are solutions that other institutions have implemented, which include pervious parking lots and rooftop gardens. Overall, the presentations were thought provoking, and it was empowering to see the number of unique strategies for improving our watersheds!
Click on the link below to learn more about your watershed.
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About Plisko Sustainable Solutions
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Thank you to Lindsay Edwards, Teddy Plisko, and Cat Pendleton for their contributions to this month's PSS newsletter!
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Joan Plisko, PhD, President
Marc Plisko, CIH, Vice President
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Plisko Sustainable Solutions (PSS) can help your company develop, optimize, and appraise environmental health, exposure assessment, and sustainability programs. The PSS team will provide expertise and guidance as you improve your company's economic, environmental, and social performance.
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