 Lady Pippa Blake endorses the stainless steel water bottles launched recently by the Village Project. Photo credit Don Robertson This time, the cause is environmental as well as social. The project has had 3000 stainless steel water bottles manufactured in a bid to rid the island of plastic water bottles as well as fundraise for a new classroom for the school in the Watoto village, Gulu, Uganda. “I’d like to start to change the culture of buying and reusing plastic water bottles and encourage people in our community to use a healthier vessel,” says Emily. The motto for the campaign is one planet, one life, take one step, use one bottle. And the project already has a high profile supporter. Lady Pippa Blake, widow of yachtsman Sir Peter Blake, has signed a pledge in the UK never to buy or use a plastic water bottle again. “Lady Pippa is very excited about our idea as she sees the massively positive environmental and health impacts of reducing plastic water bottles.” Along with plastic bags, plastic water bottles are one of the most prevalent sources of pollution found on our beaches and in the oceans. And according to statistics released by the Village Project, each year we are drinking 30 billion throwaway bottles of water worldwide which amounts to a whopping 2.7 million tonnes of plastic. And about a quarter of a standard water bottle of oil is needed to produce the bottle itself – which adds up to 2.5 million tonnes of greenhouse gases. Even worse, plastic water bottles can take up to 1000 years to biodegrade. Also, there is increasing evidence of the adverse health effects of Bisphenyl (BPA), a chemical widely used in the manufacturing of plastic. Emily’s 750ml bottles are reusable, dishwasher safe, lightweight, durable, corrosion resistant and they keep water colder for longer. The artwork on the bottle was designed by Waiheke islander Demelza Cusens and made in China to a high standard. They cost $20 - $12 of which goes directly to the Village Project. They are available from Waiheke Fruit and Veg in Oneroa. • Julianne Evans
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