Comments on: Searching for plastic-free water at Outside Lands wears me out.

By: Fake Plastic Fish

Fake Plastic Fish — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 02:30:50 +0000

Anonymous — so sorry! I didn't see your comment until today. Too late to photograph the spot you were talking about.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 18:03:00 +0000

informative post! thx! pls pls pls … on the north side of the oval, at west side, the point where the curve is about to begin, near the west end of the concrete steps, could u film that area by those gnarly old bushes… i'd like to see how they are using that space …

By: John Costigane

John Costigane — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 18:22:00 +0000

Enjoyed the RadioHead song. What about a song for Fake Plastic Fish, a hit worldwide.

By: whitefluffydogs

whitefluffydogs — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 05:15:00 +0000

Ugh, the green washing at that event was horrible. As my friend and I crunched over the many plastic cups, i wept inwardly at the incredible waste of it all. Incidentally, my friend, M. was allowed in with her kleen kanteen of water. Not a problem with our body searchers, apparently.

And since I didn't eat or drink at the festival, I was able to avoid the crap as well.

Radiohead was superb. Gawd, what a band they are.

By: Matt & Kari

Matt & Kari — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 03:22:00 +0000

I thought I was the only one who spent an hour searching for a water fountain. Thanks for the posting…Outside Lands wasn’t as eco as I thought but at least the music was great!

By: Cheap Like Me

Cheap Like Me — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 16:40:00 +0000

Oh gosh … this post was beautiful and sad at the same time. Big public events are almost not worth going to because the waste is so depressing.

By: Colleen

Colleen — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 14:46:00 +0000

Beth, thanks so much for writing out the full frustration of trying to do the simple act of filling a water bottle at a big event. I’ve been attending events like that since I was a teenager (and I’m almost 30 now) and have always have been “eco” conscious — the water vessel of choice used to be the plastic nalgene (pre-kleen kanteen) before we new the horrors of BPA. Anyway, it’s always killed me to attend events that try to promote how much recycling and “zero” waste they have – but are selling water in plastic bottles, etc. AND it’s always extra frustrating to try to encourage others to make smart eco-choices when you are in a situation where you can’t even fill up a water bottle after trying and trying. You lucked out finding the hose the vendors are using (and a vendor nice enough to let you use it)…but we all know the thousands of people attending the event couldn’t do that if they wanted – of course if everyone demanded tap water and refused to buy bottled water then the event promoters would be forced to provide a way to get it. It’s extra frustrating to know that those putting on the event probably are applauded themselves for a job well done and for “diverting” lots of waste…it’s time things are brought to the next level.

I’ll cite one example to prove it’s possible. Last November I attended the Net Impact conference at Vanderbilt University in Nashville.
Brita was a sponsor so they gave everyone a “Filter for Good” Nalgene (in our giftbags-which i know concerts don’t give out but there is still a way) and provided filtered water all over the conference to fill up your bottles with. NO plastic water bottles. Now we know (as stated above) why plastic Nalgenes are not the best choice, but they definitely saved thousands of disposable bottles over that 3 day event. Obviously every event has room for improvement and I didn’t like that they were providing juices, etc. (from other companies sponsoring the conference) in plastic bottles, but at least it was a step in the right direction. Also – while I try not to drink out of bottles that can leach BPA – I still use this one Nalgene sometimes when I’m in a bind (I just make sure I don’t put it in the dishwasher to reduce potential BPA leaching) so at least it’s STILL being used.

….Anyway, I truly applaud you for your efforts and continued persistence!

By: Tanya

Tanya — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 14:43:00 +0000

Hi Beth-

Speaking of “green washing” I’ve been witness to scandle at Rainbow Grocery over the weekend… I saw one of the workers dumping individualy plastic wrapped bags of cherries into the “bulk” bin of cherries. And then the ironic thing is that people then take another plastic bag to fill up the quantity of cherries that they want. Seriously it would just be better for them to just leave them in the original plastic bags in the first place! I was so horrified I couldn’t speak… And here I was thinking I was being a good citizen by filling up my re-usable chico bag with cherries from the “bulk” bin. It’s a constant battle… It wears me out. It wears me out. :(

By: Maya

Maya — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 14:32:00 +0000

Beth, I just want to say that your efforts and your observations, along with your fortitude and your politeness (in your letters) are inspiring to me. I am making changes, one by one, many of them inspired by you. Thanks. Maya

By: axelle

axelle — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 06:49:00 +0000

As I read this post I felt as if I was at the festival with you because you are such a good writer. But that means I was pissed before I even got through the imaginary gate because I had to pour out my Berkeley tap water, from my own kitchen, which I brought with me so I wouldn’t have to pay big bucks for it at the show, because some dipstick told me I had to do it or else I couldn’t go thru the imaginary gate. That just gives me cramps! Do you think Radiohead knows how its fans are being treated? Do you think Radiohead would care if it knew? Do you think entertainers would boycott playing live shows that ripped off their fans who already paid big bucks just to get thru a silly gate?
I am so pissed! and I don’t even care about Radiohead.