Amid the plastic pollution crisis, one of the most visible culprits is the plastic bottle – something which (soft drinks notwithstanding) has been driven by the fashion in recent decades to favour bottled water over tap. This partly has its foundations in the health claims made for bottled spring water (largely disputed), as well as the convenience of buying the stuff while out and about. The latter point can be countered by filling up reusable bottles at home before leaving the house – and if you are concerned about the quality of your tap water, you can filter it.
Perhaps the most natural way to filter your water is with activated charcoal, such as the Black & Blum Charcoal Water Filter (£6.95). The charcoal, which is used with the company’s reusable Eau Good glass water bottle (£19.95-£26.95), is made from sustainably sourced wood. Lasting up to six months, it naturally softens water, while adding minerals and absorbing chemicals such as chlorine.
We’ve had our water tested, and the tap water that we used with the charcoal had by far the best result for purity over glass bottled water and Brita filtered water.
At the end of its use as a filter, the ‘binchotan’ charcoal can be broken up for use as a plant fertiliser, as a deodouriser in items such as shoes and cat litter – and even as a dehumidifier for wardrobes and drawers.
further reading…
Amid the plastic pollution crisis, one of the most visible culprits is the plastic bottle – something which (soft drinks notwithstanding) has been driven by the fashion in recent decades to favour bottled water over tap. This partly has its foundations in the health claims made for bottled spring water (largely disputed), as well as the convenience of buying the stuff while out and about. The latter point can be countered by filling up reusable bottles at home before leaving the house – and if you are concerned about the quality of your tap water, you can filter it.
Perhaps the most natural way to filter your water is with activated charcoal, such as the Black & Blum Charcoal Water Filter (£6.95). The charcoal, which is used with the company’s reusable Eau Good glass water bottle (£19.95-£26.95), is made from sustainably sourced wood. Lasting up to six months, it naturally softens water, while adding minerals and absorbing chemicals such as chlorine.
We’ve had our water tested, and the tap water that we used with the charcoal had by far the best result for purity over glass bottled water and Brita filtered water.
At the end of its use as a filter, the ‘binchotan’ charcoal can be broken up for use as a plant fertiliser, as a deodouriser in items such as shoes and cat litter – and even as a dehumidifier for wardrobes and drawers.