Drink responsibly

In the western world, and in Sweden in particular, tapwater is so healthy and tastes so good there is really no reason to drink bottled water.

Sodastream is the largest worldwide company to provide products for carbonating water.
The soda maker is not very expensive (the cheapest one costs about the same as 50 liters of bottled water). One carbonator costs about 15USD and can be used to make 60-130 liters of carbonated water (depending on the size) and when it's empty you leave it to a retailer so it can be refilled and reused. The bottles used for the soda makers are either glass or plastic, depending on which soda maker you choose. The plastic bottles are high-pressure resistant, can be re-used for up to three years and the plastic is free fom Bisphenol A and does not give away any phtalates or PCB.

You save money, you save the environment and you're never out of fresh carbonated water.

Plastic Fantastic?

What does those marks on your waterbottles, childrens toys, food containers etc really mean? Can you tell what's harmful and what's not? Check those marks when shopping, and try to avoid 3, 6 and 7 which are the most dangerous ones.

There is a potential (low) risk for leakage of phthalates.

Often used in recyclable waterbottles

There are no known risks with this kind of plastic, but it should not be heated up.

This type of plastic is used in varoius things; from food packaging to toys

to building-materials. It's a hard plastic and to soften it phthalates is often added.

This kind of chemical leaks and it affects your hormones and your fertility.

There are also studies that shows a connection to childrens allergies.

This type is often used in plastic bags.

There are no know risks with this kind of plastic, but it should not be heated up.

This kind is often used in food containers that needs to be heat-resistant.

It contains substances that can be harmful.

This kind of plastic is used in a lot off different things; toys,

computers, kitchen appliances etc.

 It can be impregnated with flame retardants.

This is often used for food containers, feeding bottles and plastic kitchen utensils. This is a very common mark. The plastic may contain bisphenol A that affects your hormones.

Underkastelsen - Submission

I've just finished watching Stefan Jarls film Submission (Underkastelsen in Swedish). It's a fantastic documentary that teaches us how much chemicals we are exposed to every day. With the help of professors from all over the world Stefan shows us how everything around us affects our bodies, our hormones, our fertility, our overall health. From technical gadgets, the medicines we use, the toys our kids play with, the air we breathe, the water we drink.... It's a frightening picture of our everyday life. I can really recommend this movie for everybody that has just the slightest interest in where our lifestyle is taking us...
You can read more (in Swedish and English) here.