Posted on 10/07/2008 2:03:59 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin
They say dipper wells are a "common and well-accepted" technique within the industry.
It boasts about its environmental credentials but the coffee giant Starbucks is in hot water.
A British newspaper claims the company wastes 23 million liters of water every day - that's enough to meet the daily needs of the entire population of drought-hit Namibia.
Starbucks uses "dipper wells" in thousands of its stores around the world to clean utensils.
They work by keeping the cold tap constantly running.
The practice has been condemned by water companies and environmentalists.
James Alexander is head of The Green Thing.
"For western consumers to leave a tap running, be it in a coffee bar or at home, I think is untenable these days."
One British University Professor, Paul Ekins, also says it shows how under-valued water is in some countries.
"If they are wasting 23 million litres of water, it must be that they consider the economic cost of that is not sufficient to cause them to save that kind of water. And that says to me that we're not charging enough for the water or all the resources that go into purifying the water. And we need to review that very urgently to stop waste of this kind."
In a statement Starbucks says the taps are run at low pressure and staff are instructed to turn them off when the stores are closed.
They say dipper wells are a "common and well-accepted" technique within the industry.
And they allow the stores to "meet or exceed our own and local health standards".
Starbucks also maintains it cares about the environment.
On it's website it says it's "established high standards for environmental responsibility."
The company is now working on alternative solutions to reduce water consumption "as a priority" but it says switching to a new system will take a while.
“A British newspaper claims the company wastes 23 million liters of water every day - that’s enough to meet the daily needs of the entire population of drought-hit Namibia.”
This would be a really telling point if there were a way to get the water to Namibia.
Dipper wells are REQUIRED by Health Code in many, many jurisdictions. Anything utensils involved with dairy products are typically REQUIRED to be stored in dipper wells. You also see them at ice cream parlours all over North America.
(Hint - every ice cream shop in the country uses them - as required by most health departments)
I made sure my local Starbucks had theirs running....
Health code or no, I don’t want a dipper used that’s sitting in water that isn’t recirculated! The Sun (UK) and these copycat papers have got it wrong but it’s a cheap and easy target.
LOL! :)
There used to be a sign in a restroom in the town where my wife grew up. It said "Flush the toilet. Basin can use the water." (the town down stream)
What a post - I don’t care about the environmentalists, Starbucks or water use in Namibia. This read is worse than “can you pray for my second cousins best friend’s neighbor’s dog”....
They are not wasting water, they are using water. The waste is available to be reused.
Foolls who pay for starbucks are paying for the water stream
It bothers me a lot, one of the benefits of my work as a service plumber is the work I do toward water conservation.
How many trees died so they could tell us that?
The left operates on guilt. Make someone feel guilty and you can manipulate them quite easily. They no longer feel cetain about who they are and what they stand for, they no longer feel they have the right to demand anything, they lose the will to stand their ground much less advance.
Offer them a way to make the guilt go away, and they’ll fall meekly into line.
“What a post - I don’t care about the environmentalists, Starbucks or water use in Namibia.”
And yet you somehow felt compelled to comment. Go figure, LOL! :)
Good for you. However, you do realize that The Government MANDATES that they do this in the first place for health reasons, right?
I certainly don’t want utensils that are used all day long sitting in stagnant water between uses...do you?
And the water that runs down the sink doesn’t just “disappear.” It’s processed and them used again. That’s what those big Waste Water Treatment Facilities on the outskirts of our big towns and cities are for.
Isn’t that information part of Plumbing 101? ;)
“And the water that runs down the sink doesn’t just “disappear.” It’s processed and them used again. That’s what those big Waste Water Treatment Facilities on the outskirts of our big towns and cities are for.”
Some Starbucks said that they never do it and we both know that changes will now result from this practice being publicized, and because water exists in it’s raw state, does not justify the waste of water for which so much energy and effort and infrastructure and expense has been expended to make it usable and to get it delivered to your address.
The tax payer cost of Waste water treatment plants is reduced when waste entering the sewage system is reduced.
Got it.
I still think the Enviros are fishing for Tax Dollars to fix a non-existing “crisis” and pestering yet another business that partakes in Free Enterprise.
And, I should also add that I have a well. I haven’t had “City Water” in 15 years or so now.
And believe me, when you have a well and a septic system, you KNOW the value of running water, LOL!
“And believe me, when you have a well and a septic system, you KNOW the value of running water, LOL!”
I have a friend that is broke and has to pump his septic tank desperatly (but can’t right now), he is old school, an 82 year old English artist, but I am going to see if he will finally let me put a water saving toilet in his place.
We have to have our septic pumped every two years. It’s a boondoggle, if you ask me. My septic guy says that we have the cleanest tank of anyone he pumps.
I’m so proud, LOL!
We need new toilets, too. Which do you recommend?
“We need new toilets, too. Which do you recommend?”
——————————————————————————————Are you rich or poor, meaning do want a normal toilet or an expensive looking model?
Lower middle class income. And proud of it! :)
A couple of Toto Drakes should do you fine. You can call the plumbing supply stores in your area and ask which toilets seem the most trouble free, if it gets confusing you will notice that the Toto is always in the top two or three.
Not all toilets are available in all areas, but Toto should be. They are easy to repair in the future as well.
I also use St. Thomas Creations which is available in Wisconsin (I’m in San Diego)
Just out of HS, I worked for a local convenience store chain that was owned by a local dairy. We sold hand dipped ice cream (among many other things) and we had dipper wells.
When I worked the closing shift it was the routine to turn off the water, scrub and sanitize and dry the ice cream scoops and other utensils and then scrub out the dipper well and rinse it out with bleach.
I don’t recall my store ever failing a health department inspection or ever making any of my customers sick with some food borne illness.
toto:-))
Thanks!
Can Namibia gain access to and use that water? No? Then WFC? STFU you stupid GD libtard f**ks.
Sorry. I feel better now.
In Wisconsin Kohler is the "high end" option
Most of the very high end toilets are fine, as are most of the low cost brand name versions, the worst of the toilet days have passed from those terrible nightmare years when the manufacturers were caught flat footed.
High end toilets are mostly for style and looks and I help the customer choose what would look good in their house.
Kohler, Toto, American Standard and others in some regions, I let looks drive the purchase unless I have heard something bad about a particular model style.
You mean I can drink Starbucks AND p155 off some environmentalists? Far-freakin’-out!
“Live Earth’s mission is to cultivate grassroots and worldwide awareness of and solutions for environmental issues that affect us all. Awareness activates change and important issues deserve a global platform,” said Kevin Wall, founder of Live Earth. “That’s why the stage for Live Earth India will host some of the biggest artists from India to the U.S. and beyond, while we bring India to the world. And the world has a lot to learn from traditional Indian culture about sustainability.”
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.