Green Peas

Starbucks alternatives

I work in Century City and in my building there is a Starbucks (of course).  Right across from that Starbucks is an Organic To Go.  I'll admit that "OTG" does not have the most fresh selection of food, but their coffee is excellent... and it's organic AND fair trade. 

At 9 am every morning there is a long line at Starbucks and OTG is virtually empty.  For those of you who frequent the Starbucks at Century Plaza Towers, please consider buying an organic, fair trade cup at Organic To Go... You are not getting the same thing at Starbucks (only 6% of their coffee is certified Fair Trade).  Not only does it taste better, it gives you a warm, fuzzy feeling inside. 

Use the "delocator" to find a non-corporate (non-Starbucks) coffee shop.  (Results are hit and miss, but it's a start).

Brita has some stiff competition: ZeroWater

There is a petition petition circulating urging Clorox (which owns Brita) to develop a method of recycling their water filters.  There is currently a system in place in Europe.  But for some reason, they can't seem to establish that program here in the U.S. 

Well, now Brita has some competition.  ZeroWater recycles 90% of their filters.  Now you can have filtered water, without filling up the landfill.

Sign the petition here.

As if we needed another reason NOT to drink Starbucks...

The BBC reveals that Starbucks keeps a faucet running ALL DAY in order to keep utensils clean.  Come on... there must be a better way.  Next time you get a triple nonfat halfcaff latte (or whatever), ask them how they clean their utensils.  Then, write to Starbucks and tell them what you think.  If they're going to charge that much for mediocre coffee, they should listen.

Paradise Polluters!

Heal the Bay has accused Paradise Cove Cafe in Malibu of contributing to water pollution levels.  Here are some of the violations: groundwater pathogen limits, failure to complete on-site wastewater system plant repairs, too much sewage flow, and too much ammonia.  Since 1995 there have been 200 sewage spills.  Here's an article from the Malibu Times

from last year.  Yuck.  The Kissel Company owns the nearby mobile home park and the cafe.

Please write to Kissel and ask them to get started on that water treatment facility they've been given $1 million dollars to build.

Kissel Company
28128 Pacific Coast Hwy Spc 230, Malibu, CA