Trailspace Blog Environment
Ways to Reuse Your Old Polycarbonate Bottles
If you’ve recently opted to replace your #7 polycarbonate water bottles with metal or non-BPA plastic ones, you’re probably wondering what you can do with all those old bottles (especially the more memorable ones), beyond recycling them.
Here are two ideas to get the creative juices flowing:
- For $19.95 you can buy a solar-powered LED LightCap200 from SolLight and turn any standard water bottle into a weatherproof lantern for the backyard, treehouse, boat, or wherever, no batteries required. If you wanted to string a bunch of Nalgenes around your yard that could get pricey pretty quickly though.
- I also came across this idea for using a bottle to store a first aid or emergency kit inside your car or to take along while traveling. Add a light cap and there's no need for a flashlight. Obviously this idea can be extrapolated for storing other non-liquid, non-food items.
Have an idea for turning polycarbonate water bottles into something safe, functional, and affordable? Musical shakers, perhaps? Share it with us.
It’s Arbor Day. Plant a tree.
Missed Earth Day earlier this week?
Join the Arbor Day Foundation and you’ll get 10 free trees to plant.
Or you can support their efforts to plant trees in National Forests that have been damaged by fire, insects, and disease.
For more information: www.arborday.org
REI Pulling Polycarbonate Bottles; U.S. Draft Report says BPA Might Present Risks
By now you probably know that “Canada is Likely to Declare BPA as Toxic” and “Nalgene will Stop Making Polycarbonate Bottles”. Now, REI is pulling the problematic BPA-containing water bottles from its shelves.
According to Sports One Source:
REI said it would begin pulling polycarbonate bottles containing the chemical bisphenol A, or BPA, from its store shelves and stop selling them on line
…
“REI is in the process of removing all water bottles made with BPA from its store shelves," REI Public Affairs Director told The BOSS Report late Friday. "These bottles will also no longer be sold on REI.com or REI-OUTLET.com. When the process is complete, we will offer only water bottles that have been made without BPA.”
Also, the April 18th Wall Street Journal article "Wal-Mart, Nalgene Move Away From Bisphenol A" states:
“...a few key dominoes fell this week: Canada moved toward declaring the chemical a dangerous substance, and a draft version of a U.S. government report said BPA might present risks.”
If you're among the many now looking for an alternative water bottle, read “Building a Better Water Bottle: Aluminum, Steel, and No BPA” in the Gear Guide first to see some of your options before rushing out for that new bottle.
Right about now, I'm pretty happy to have my SIGGs .
It's Eco-Outdoors Week: April 19-27
It’s a busy week for the outdoors.
April 19-27 is National Wildlife Watch Week, a chance for kids and adults to get outdoors and connect with nature in their neighborhoods and beyond. (www.nwf.org/watch)- It’s also National Park Week, with many parks celebrating National Junior Ranger Day on Saturday, April 26, along with guided nature hikes, bird watches, and other activities weeklong. (www.nps.gov/npweek/sched.htm)
- And, of course, there's Earth Day on Tuesday, April 22, and
- the venerable Arbor Day on Friday, April 25. (www.arborday.org)
One doesn't need a holiday proclaimed to celebrate or give back to the great outdoors though. It's open to hikers, backpackers, and climbers every day.
Nalgene to Stop Making Polycarbonate Bottles
Following yesterday's post on Canada potentially labeling Bisphenol-a (BPA) as toxic, come reports that Nalgene will no longer offer the popular polycarbonate water bottle.
From the April 18th New York Times:
Bottle Maker to Stop Using Plastic Linked to Health Concerns
Nalgene, the brand that popularized water bottles made from hard, clear and nearly unbreakable polycarbonate, will stop using the plastic because of growing concern over one of its ingredients.
The decision by Nalgene Outdoor Products, a unit of Thermo Fisher Scientific, based in Rochester, came after reports that the Canadian government would declare the chemical bisphenol-a, or BPA, toxic. Some animal studies have linked the chemical to changes in the hormonal system.
You can read the full article on The New Yorks Times site.
Or Nalgene's press release "Nalgene to Phase Out Bottles Containing BPA" in the News section.
Canada Likely to Declare BPA as Toxic
Bisphenol-a (BPA), an endocrine disrupting chemical found in polycarbonate plastic water bottles, has raised health concerns recently. Now, BPA soon may be considered toxic, at least in Canada, according to this April 16th article in The New York Times:
Canada Likely to Label Plastic Ingredient ‘Toxic’The Canadian government is said to be ready to declare as toxic a chemical widely used in plastics for baby bottles, beverage and food containers as well as linings in food cans.
A person with knowledge of the government’s chemical review program spoke on the condition he not be named because of a confidentiality agreement. He said the staff work to list the compound, called bisphenol-a, or B.P.A., as a toxic chemical was complete and was recently endorsed by a panel of outside scientists.
You can read the full article on The New Yorks Times site.
Looking for an alternative water bottle? Read “Building a Better Water Bottle: Aluminum, Steel, and No BPA” in the Gear Guide.
Committed to your Nalgene? The company recently launched NalgeneChoice.com to profile its full product line, which also includes polyethylene, stainless steel, and Eastman Tritan copolyester bottles, in addition to polycarbonate.
What’s Your Outdoor Story?
What inspires mountaineer Conrad Anker or climber Steph Davis to return to the outdoors? More importantly, what inspires you?
The Conservation Alliance, Anker, and Timex Expedition recently launched Return to the Outdoors, an effort to motivate everyone to spend more time outdoors and to raise awareness of the Conservation Alliance’s mission to help protect outdoor spaces (35 million acres so far).
In the campaign's first of two short films by Jimmy Chin and David Gonzales, Anker discusses some of his earliest memories from Wyoming’s Teton Crest:
The second features Davis base jumping in southern Utah’s canyonlands:
A third, featuring environmentalist and Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard, will be released next month.
Inspired to share your own outdoor story? Tell it in 500 words or less, or with video clips or a slideshow, and you'll have the chance to win gear from Timex Expedition, The North Face, Camelbak, and Ahnu, or an all-expenses-paid outdoor adventure vacation for two.
For more information: www.returntotheoutdoors.com
Take Action to Protect 5,000 Miles of Trails
I received the following Action Alert from the American Hiking Society, which works to protect hiking trails, their surrounding natural landscapes, and the hiking experience:
The American Hiking Society needs your help today to urge Congress to pass the National Landscape Conservation System Act (HR 2016), an important bill that will permanently protect more than 5,000 miles of National Scenic and Historic Trails and 26 million acres of beautiful, unique western lands.
The Bureau of Land Management’s National Landscape Conservation System is a network of the last places to experience the history and wild beauty of the American West. Unfortunately, unlike other national systems of public lands, the BLM’s Conservation System lacks the official Congressional approval that its incredible resources deserve. Only Congress can permanently protect and recognize the National Landscape Conservation System for the enduring benefit of present and future generations.
Want to support the National Landscape Conservation System and tell your Representative why hiking is important to you? Visit the American Hiking Society’s site.
Earth Hour: Things to Do in the Dark
For those perpetually-plugged-in souls who have no idea what to do without power, there's a list of ten “fun” things you, your family, and friends can do to make a difference.
Now, I personally think that climate change is an extremely important issue and the suggestions are more than valid (reduce personal energy consumption and carbon emissions, unplug and chill out, etc.). But, c'mon, is talking to your friends about reducing your environmental footprint really the most fun they could come up with? The list doesn’t even include the most obvious ideas for fun in the dark (the most promising ones, like a backyard picnic, are left to the kids).
Next time they should ask some backpackers for suggestions. So, tell us, what will you do when the lights go out?
For more info: www3.earthhourus.org
Welcome Spring...Make That Mud Season
Today is the first day of spring, though you wouldn’t know it from the several feet of snow still on the ground here in Maine. But soon enough that melting snow will bring on mud season.
Muddy trail or access road, like above? Head straight through, not around mud or water.
Certain hiking trails should be avoided during mud season, especially more fragile terrain at higher elevations. Some trails may even be closed to protect them (Vermont, for example, closes trails on state land from mid-April until Memorial Day weekend). Even if a trail isn’t closed, consider whether you can hike it responsibly.
If you do encounter a muddy stretch, remember to stay in the middle of the trail and hike single file through the mud, not around it. Trying to keep your feet dry by circumventing muddy puddles just tramples vegetation, causes soil erosion, and spreads the mud—and trail—wider and wider.
If a trail is too muddy to travel straight through, consider turning back and hiking somewhere else, rather than causing irrevocable damage. Hikes at lower elevations and those with southern exposure are likely to have drier conditions.
Lastly, remember that that melting snowpack can raise stream crossings by several inches in a day. So carefully evaluate the safety of crossing a particular stream both heading out and returning, when water levels can be higher and currents faster. You may want to avoid trails with stream crossings during spring.
Be a safe and responsible hiker, but don't let a little mud or rain keep you inside this spring either. After all, you know what comes after mud season, right? Black fly season.
Humans to Become Majority Urban Species
While Trailspace is focused on getting outdoor enthusiasts into the backcountry, the following National Geographic News article caught my eye:
Humans are about to become a majority urban species for the first time. Does this trend mean poverty or prosperity for the world's urban dwellers?
A UN forecast released last week reports that half of all humans will live in urban areas by the end of the year—and 70 percent by 2050—even though cities occupy only about 3 percent of Earth's land surface.
Mumbai (Bombay), India, in a 2005 file photo by Aijaz Rahi/AP
What does this trend mean for each of us, the environment, and the future of outdoor recreation? The potential implications are interesting and unresolved. Whether this is a "good" or "bad" demographic trend depends on a myriad of variables and how individual cities manage their growth.
Part of me decries mass urbanization. After all, I believe that we all need regular contact with nature. But, on the flip-side, the ecological footprints of urban dwellers can be far smaller than those of their rural counterparts (though mileages vary widely worldwide due to many factors). Perhaps there is an environmental opportunity here for smarter, less sprawling, growth that protects natural places and resources.
“Contrary to what most policy makers have been saying, urban growth can be extremely positive for economic growth, social development, demographic stabilization, and even for environmental issues,” said George Martine, a demographer who wrote the UNFP’'s recent State of World Population 2007 report.
Read the full article at National Geographic News. Then tell us what you think.
Hike, Get Dirty, Give Back: Volunteer Vacations
Looking for a vacation that involves trails, getting dirty, and giving back? The American Hiking Society offers 75 trail stewardship projects in 25 states—and the U.S. Virgin Islands—now through November. Join a crew of 6-15 volunteers for a week of building and maintaining trails in locations like the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Mammoth Cave National Park, and the Mt. Whitney Trail.
Trips range from the very strenuous (such as backpacking into the Bob Marshall Wilderness) to more moderate day hiking with base or cabin camping. Volunteer vacations cost $245 for AHS members and $275 for non-members, with each additional trip per calendar year $175. Get more information or download a PDF with trip descriptions and application from the American Hiking Society.
Out of the Wilderness
The decreasing numbers of people getting outdoors is a topic of interest both here at Trailspace and farther afield. Last month Newsweek published the article “Out of the Wilderness" (February 18) with the subhead, "A new study says we’re not getting out into nature as much as we used to. Maybe that's a good thing.”
I was glad to see Newsweek covering the issue, but thought the author (who doesn't sound like he really likes the outdoors) missed the point. Between the extremes of playing video games daily and jetting to Patagonia for a once-in-a-lifetime trip, there's a wide range of regular outdoor activities available. People just aren't choosing to do them, and kids aren't being exposed to the outdoors.
Less people in the backcountry can sound like a good thing for those of us seeking its solitude. But, the trend is disconcerting. After all, who'll even notice, or care, that wilderness is disappearing if they don't experience it firsthand? This has implications for all of us who enjoy backcountry recreation.
I sent Newsweek the following letter to the editor in response:
I agree with Jerry Adler that nature has become “unimaginably remote from our daily immersion in climate-controlled, hygienic luxury” (“Out of the Wilderness” February 18, 2008). However, I think he missed the bigger picture.
It’s not only nice, but necessary, to get kids outside more often. And not just “to swat a mosquito.” Studies show that kids, and adults, who regularly get outside are physically and mentally healthier, more creative, and more respectful of the environment, themselves, and others. And those who have regular contact with the natural world are far more likely to care enough to protect it.
Restricting our relationship with the outdoors to an annual national park pilgrimage is not the answer. Parents and other adults can encourage kids to explore the natural world around them daily. That “unimaginably remote” nature is right outside your door. The National Wildlife Federation recommends children participate in at least one “green hour” of unstructured outdoor play each day. Sleep out in the backyard, take a hike at a local park, put up a birdfeeder, plant a garden, climb a tree.
And the next time you visit a busy national park, get out of the car, off the crowded park road, and beyond the usual photo ops. Take a walk deeper in the woods.
Have an opinion on this trend? Share your thoughts.
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