Can SodaStream-line my carbon footprint?
Life is complicated. And it’s not just the big things. Things come up and maybe I give them too much thought, but I always learn something in the process.
So, here’s my little dilemma. After eliminating single-use glass or plastic drink bottles from my waste habits, I’ve become hooked on sparkling mineral water. I don’t know how it happened, but that stuff from Italy quenches my thirst like nothing else after a hot bike ride downtown.
Then reality crept in. A glass bottle filled with - water - shipped all the way from Italy - hmmm. Not in my green plan, but, oh so good. A bottle of wine or beer I can find from a local source and after discovering that I loved kombucha, I’ve started brewing my own. But this water? I just can’t come up with a solution to the bottles I am consuming almost daily.
Then yesterday, my friend turned me on to SodaStream.com - a way to turn my tap water into the sparkling stuff. I admit I was easily enthused. It not only solves my waste issue, but saves some bucks, too. I’m holding back for now because afterall, it’s a luxury “gadget” and I always question those. Hmmm. Worth the green? The last gadget I acquired - the electric teapot - has proved to be entirely worthwhile, so…
Does anyone have some advice for me?
Thanks. Tao
June 6th, 2009 at 8:06 am
Dear Tao,
I am the worst salesperson I know, but I could sell this product enthusiastically. It’s analogous to finding a $1.oo/gallon gas, why would you put it off. I know Julia and Scott have one, I got one based on their use of it. The website gives you all the pros, I just know I will have an endless supply of clean, sparklly water, to add just a splash of Pom., of your favorite natural fruit juice, to cut all that sugar. I also run mine through the Brita filter. It uses no electricity! and everything is re-used, like the CO2 cannisters, and your water bottles.
Everybody that comes to my house gets the song and dance about SodaStream, and a taste test compared to their Pellegrino, Imagine all the shipping, warehousing, and “cost” of that name brand. This is, to me, not a luxury gadget, and I’m sure my “kids” would agree. My wife takes a bottle to work, and last for 2-3 days. And if you’re trying to kick “soda” this hits that fizzy-drink craving. Don’t mix with Emerg-N-C, unless you want a volcano experiment, but there are other mineral/electrolite additives you can add. See Joe at the Weave.!
Are yoga classes a luxury? Depends on you priorities. You will love it!!
Jolly ROger
June 7th, 2009 at 9:05 am
go for it girl!
June 8th, 2009 at 10:01 am
Hi Tao -
Full disclosure…I am the marketing manager for SodaStream and happened to see your post linked from a Google alert. Thanks so much for your interest in the product!! To answer your questions…if you are hooked on fancy bubbly water from Italy - you are going to see HUGE savings by carbonating your tap water. Not only will you save all of those bottles from the recycling bin, but you’ll also be saving all of the transport costs associated with shipping bottles of water all the way from Europe. A luxury? Perhaps. But one that will save the average America about 600 cans/bottles annually, and the transport costs, too. The environmental savings are truly there.
Not to mention that it’s way cheaper on an ongoing basis (as little as $0.22 per liter…) If you’re a fizzy water addict like I am - you will save enough by using SodaStream to break even in about 2-3 months. This is the most used appliance in my kitchen (and that includes the indispensable coffeemaker.)
Not that I’m biased or anything
but I say go for it now and start saving right away. BTW feel free to use promo code POPDADDY to save $10 off the sale price of any new soda maker at sodastream.com - through 6/30/09. GO ahead and email if you have any other questions!
June 8th, 2009 at 3:06 pm
I too have this addiction and would really LOVE to have one of these babies. A friend of mine bought an equally expensive variety that was a metal bottle with little metal cylinders full of the carbonation gas (similar to those used by bicyclists to fill a spare tire or a flat). She’s pretty disappointed with it because it doesn’t carbonate very well at all. And then there are all those little metal cylinders to deal with. Not a good choice. Please report back if you get this–or what kind you end up getting–and how it is.
June 10th, 2009 at 6:42 am
Thanks for the comments, everyone. Roger (above) brought me a sample from his machine yesterday, and I must admit, it tastes exactly like the stuff I’m buying that comes from Italy. I think I gotta go for it. I’ll report back!
Tao