tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-766882701166934144.post8792571914258299609..comments2024-02-14T02:31:57.678-08:00Comments on Life Less Plastic: I Don't Understand Ethos WaterJeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11704564414066998644noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-766882701166934144.post-10241776221238914082015-02-05T11:01:32.325-08:002015-02-05T11:01:32.325-08:00I just thought the same thing today (get tap water...I just thought the same thing today (get tap water and donate the $1.95). Perhaps it is because I am from Milwaukee (Go Midwest) and we invested a lot of money in water purification after the cryptosporidium outbreak in 1993 (my family was on vacation in Cincinnati). Perhaps it is also because I am not naive, and I realize that my purchase would serve many purchases for Starbucks, including delivering profit, raising the figure that they can cite in their annual report on CSR. Also, it should not be forgotten that charitable donations have significant adverse revenue consequences for the government, i.e. you are funding a corporate tax deduction. So please, don't drink the water. Better yet, don't go Starbucks unless it is freezing at 6 in the morning and you need somewhere, anywhere to go...and remember that drinking glass after glass of whole milk helps local dairy farmers. Long live the betrayal of false morality and On Wisconsin!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-766882701166934144.post-67918439567971855662015-01-23T08:34:01.449-08:002015-01-23T08:34:01.449-08:00Sorry, that's just funny.
What a concept! Ov...Sorry, that's just funny. <br /><br />What a concept! Overcharge for a product and be praised for giving a nickel to a charity. <br /><br />Most corporations donate heavily to all sorts of charities, as do many Americans - without the need to tell everyone how awesome they are, or mark up the prices on bottled water to only donate a fraction of that mark-up to a charity.<br /><br />In addition to charitable giving, every US taxpayer contributes towards the billions in foreign aid.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-766882701166934144.post-35448679966655940362014-04-17T03:55:34.391-07:002014-04-17T03:55:34.391-07:00I honestly don't understand why people are com...I honestly don't understand why people are complaining about this. Especially those that are SPOILED with fresh, clean, unpolluted water. These bottles are also sold in states with high pollution and far-from-clean natural tap water supplies. Ethos water was created first and foremost by a man that was incredibly concerned with the scarce clean water supply in many third world nations. Why did he have to create this? Oh right, because the good people in the US are greedy and won't donate their own fresh water supplies, such as those in Memphis. The Ethos brand does what they can to give back to the world, and although small, it is still a step in the right direction. And for those that don't think that the money being donated by the ETHOS purchases is enough, I ask, have you done your part and donated your time and money to the cause of supplying fresh water to those dying of thirst around the world? If not, then ETHOS water shouldn't be your first complaint or concern. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-766882701166934144.post-63366841661193638212013-05-14T13:16:41.343-07:002013-05-14T13:16:41.343-07:00ETHOS IS BOTTLED IN PENN.
IT WOULD BE WISE TO KNOW...ETHOS IS BOTTLED IN PENN.<br />IT WOULD BE WISE TO KNOW IF<br />THE BOTTLING SITES ARE CLOSE TO<br />OR EFFECTED BY FRACKING.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-766882701166934144.post-68100189498369451472011-05-10T21:25:28.700-07:002011-05-10T21:25:28.700-07:00It's not Starbucks donating the nickel a bottl...It's not Starbucks donating the nickel a bottle, they CHARGE YOU (or, in my case, ME) that extra nickel! Look at your receipt. It's not deposit on the bottle, it's not tax, it's the "Nickel" they are "donating." Not THEIR nickel on the bottle of water, YOUR nickel for buying it!<br />Robert Mollenauer<br />Bermuda Dunes, CARob M.https://www.blogger.com/profile/10122260759656314137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-766882701166934144.post-11988061226157345852011-03-16T16:08:42.434-07:002011-03-16T16:08:42.434-07:00I don't know how much of their Ethos donations...I don't know how much of their Ethos donations are for Public Relations as it is part of their company culture. <br /><br />Here's a company (Starbucks) that is committed to building community and awareness as part of their mission statement. They volunteer their people to many world crisis like Katrina and most recently the Japanese earthquake, where they donated a million dollars to the cleanup effort.<br /><br />Many places do not have the luxury of enormous freshwater lakes. The water in many areas has been treated so much to kill bacteria that the taste of it is unbearable. Paying for a bottle of water when needed is a convenience that has high demand. In other words, their is a market for it. I wonder, how much money these other water bottling companies are contributing to worldly causes....?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16998878311687454071noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-766882701166934144.post-48069597370981860752011-03-16T16:05:56.288-07:002011-03-16T16:05:56.288-07:00I don't know how much of their Ethos donations...I don't know how much of their Ethos donations are for Public Relations as it is part of their company culture. <br /><br />Here's a company (Starbucks) that is committed to building community and awareness as part of their mission statement. They volunteer their people to many world crisis like Katrina and most recently the Japanese earthquake, where they donated a million dollars to the cleanup effort.<br /><br />Many places do not have the luxury of enormous freshwater lakes. The water in many areas has been treated so much to kill bacteria that the taste of it is unbearable. Paying for a bottle of water when needed is a convenience that has high demand. In other words, their is a market for it. I wonder, how much money these other water bottling companies are contributing to worldly causes....?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16998878311687454071noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-766882701166934144.post-19733276389778076762010-11-30T23:34:20.039-08:002010-11-30T23:34:20.039-08:00I recoiled in horror the first time I saw Ethos wa...I recoiled in horror the first time I saw Ethos water in Starbucks. I also recoil in horror at their (weak, but bitter) drip coffee, but that's another story. (Their espresso is tasty enough, although they aren't proper espressos.) Didn't I see somewhere that Matt Damon helped to promote Ethos?<br /><br />I have been trying in vain to find info online to that effect. The world loves Matt Damon and if there's anything critical of him online, then it's buried in the mountains of adulation. I too love his flicks. So what?<br /><br />Maude Barlow (Council of Canadians) has written a few good books about water that I recommend. I read the first of those, Blue Gold. I bought the second, but lost it and a pile of other books I had when I moved. Actually, It looks like they were stolen. This wage slave can't afford to just go out and replace them.<br /><br />Another blogger pointed out that for Starbucks to reach it's own target for contributions given directly to assist those in need of clean drinking water, they would have to sell an enormous number of bottles, which aren't recyclable. The 5 cents from a bottle that is upwards of $4 is... pathetic. But don't quote me on those facts. I would have to do more research before I would state authoritatively the dollars and stats here.<br /><br />Which doesn't mean I don't know something about how pernicious the largely unregulated bottled water industry is. Those water companies have chutzpah. They take the peoples' water, often destroying irreplaceable aquifers in the process and sell it back to them, making enormous profits because governments, which protect corporations rather than all of us, don't restrict them or properly tax them. (Actually, Those should be royalties, I believe, and governments here would function as good or bad realtors for the people and ensure that the peoples' resources benefitted the people. As bad realtors, they would fail to mediate productively and in good faith between the the people and the buyers of our resource.)<br /><br />And so on...Arbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00616074956151230921noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-766882701166934144.post-12025346016858315952010-11-06T11:58:11.383-07:002010-11-06T11:58:11.383-07:00Yet we have a breast cancer month, where we buy al...Yet we have a breast cancer month, where we buy all kinds of pink crap, which is exactly the same thing. Wake up people. Please.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-766882701166934144.post-89184477517490330292010-01-03T20:51:53.546-08:002010-01-03T20:51:53.546-08:00On their website ethos-water.com (with the pix of ...On their website ethos-water.com (with the pix of people in Africa), they PROUDLY say that their revenues so far is $150 million, based on the promise of helping people !!! YET only $6 million have been donated !<br /><br />This is ridiculous. STARBUCKS should be ashamed of itself, using people pain, in order to make money!<br /><br />I wonder why they dont donate the $0.05 from their $4 Macchiato!Yasserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16379911472342522793noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-766882701166934144.post-74566188406957048942009-12-14T18:06:31.098-08:002009-12-14T18:06:31.098-08:00I agree with this post. I just spent $1.85 on a bo...I agree with this post. I just spent $1.85 on a bottle of the ethos water (don't judge me...I was thirsty and at a drive thru starbucks). Anyway, I imagine this company makes a freaking fortune because they're sending 0.5 cents and making $1.80. If helping children get clean water was that big of a deal and they were that "compelled to make a difference" I think they should stop being so damn selfish and make 5 cents off it and donate the rest to "make a difference".Kristennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-766882701166934144.post-82002849934436324452009-12-04T15:11:36.672-08:002009-12-04T15:11:36.672-08:00The truth of the matter is that people are not goi...The truth of the matter is that people are not going to stop purchasing bottled water. No matter how many people "go green", there will always be bottled water available in our supermarkets and common grocery stores and delis. At least ethos is one of the companies trying to give something back to communities that are less fortunate and do not have access to clean water. Another water bottle company that is beneficial is volvic. (look into that). I agree that people should just donate the cost of a bottle of water and have filters or purifying systems in their houses, however that is not the case and it will be difficult to get the whole world to agree on this. So like I said before at least ethos is trying to help. And of course they are not donating the whole water bottle cost because then the ethos company would not make a profit. So, the people who care should do everything in their power to reduce plastic bottled waste on their own and if they are really passionate about this donation business then they should do it. However, in reality many people do not care or find the time or will to go and donate money so by purchasing ethos over other bottled water they are at least donating something rather than nothing over other leading bottled water companies.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-766882701166934144.post-88075579900025553632009-08-08T15:51:35.753-07:002009-08-08T15:51:35.753-07:00Here in the pacific northwest, for the past two we...Here in the pacific northwest, for the past two weeks, and the next two weeks to come, Starbucks workers are required to ask each and every customer if they would like to buy a bottle of water...that is the promotion for the month, not coffee...Ethos...it is unethical and I wish the media would grab hold of this WASTE.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-766882701166934144.post-22975599562367162032009-07-13T08:44:55.012-07:002009-07-13T08:44:55.012-07:00A bottle of Ethos water in starbucks Puerto Rico i...A bottle of Ethos water in starbucks Puerto Rico is $2.51 . In some others is a bit more expensive.....starbucks is a jokeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-766882701166934144.post-17718888817678524012009-07-05T13:59:45.549-07:002009-07-05T13:59:45.549-07:00good convo here. spread the word about the evils ...good convo here. spread the word about the evils of ethos water by sharing this link: http://www.ethos-water.com<br /><br />:)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-766882701166934144.post-28690661697868379032009-04-30T19:22:00.000-07:002009-04-30T19:22:00.000-07:00I am equally disgusted by Ethos Water. I just wrot...I am equally disgusted by Ethos Water. I just wrote a post about it and another water bottle campaign which I linked to below. You may also like the Chris Jordan photos of bottle waste that I added at the end. One thing that you didn't mention is how the commodification of water and its privatization is contributing to water scarcity. It makes buying water bottles to alleviate water scarcity even more ironic.<br /><br />http://margaretswanderings.blogspot.com/2009/04/political-consumption-in-bottle.htmlglued blue glasshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06848563572933601699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-766882701166934144.post-17021741503830349642009-03-29T20:18:00.000-07:002009-03-29T20:18:00.000-07:00Great blog post. See here for another: http://www....Great blog post. See here for another: http://www.trendhunter.com/trends/charity-profiteering-the-ethos-water-scamAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-766882701166934144.post-28422889740982074462009-03-20T08:11:00.000-07:002009-03-20T08:11:00.000-07:00Wow, Bottle/Label $ 0.17 cents, Water $ 0.03 cents...Wow, Bottle/Label $ 0.17 cents, Water $ 0.03 cents, RO Process/Transportation/Delivery $ 0.23 cents, ($ 0.43 Cents) Profits Endless...... and the kids get a nickel... the shareholders at Starbucks what a profit center.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-766882701166934144.post-74806452288844908472009-03-20T08:05:00.000-07:002009-03-20T08:05:00.000-07:00Ok Guys. I have been in the water business for 20+...Ok Guys. I have been in the water business for 20+ years. Here are the facts. The bottle costs $ 0.07 each. The water costs $ 0.03. The process costs $ 0.20 per GALLON. Do the math? Only a nickle. Well you know what a nickel used to buy!!! A pickel.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-766882701166934144.post-14572378642348826852009-02-17T14:40:00.000-08:002009-02-17T14:40:00.000-08:00Everyone here brings up interesting and valid poin...Everyone here brings up interesting and valid points. Yes, it is weird that this company is selling bottled water, and they probably could be donating more, but also think about the other side - if they donated all of it, the company wouldn't stay alive to do what they are doing. <BR/>A point before I go on - ethos is like pathos, but it is the appeal to authority. Someone like George Washington or Mother Theresa would have a large amount of ethos; they are individuals whose opinions would be trusted by a vast majority.<BR/>As for this conversation, and the large amount of people involved, it seems like you all have a passionate one.... to put my challenge to you simply, instead of complaining and analyzing what Ethos is doing wrong, do something yourselves about it! Make a difference like you don't think Ethos is!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-766882701166934144.post-8345081703575889202009-02-14T19:22:00.000-08:002009-02-14T19:22:00.000-08:00I thought Ethos was a really good, cool idea, unti...I thought Ethos was a really good, cool idea, until I too learned the truth behind it.<BR/><BR/>Personally, I'd rather someone paid $1 for a bottle of Dasani or Aquafina, and give $0.80 to kids in Africa then buy $1.80 Ethos water. It would be a better, more effective use of money. People would get their filtered, bottled water that they are after so much, and people in Africa or whatever would get what, 16x the benefit?<BR/><BR/>I've heard Ethos/starbucks has a metal water bottle that some of the profit is supposed to help the same charity as the plastic bottled water. I do plan to buy a metal bottle at some point (I've only seen my brothers. He got his a while ago, and I want to see the bottles in person at my local starbucks first), but more because I want a bottle like that and I think it would fit my needs, not because Ethos is giving a marginal portion of their profit to a charity.icehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07659518609198277123noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-766882701166934144.post-58883625357264077732009-01-05T20:27:00.000-08:002009-01-05T20:27:00.000-08:00i just saw this water at my local starbucks yester...i just saw this water at my local starbucks yesterday and when i read the back i couldn't believe the irony. i googled it today to see if i could read more about its purpose and found your post. selling us clean spring water when we have water filters everywhere and can drink boiled water, to only give $.5 towards "programs" that help bring clean water to needy children, how are those programs working? wouldn't it make more sense to sell something else so they could ship the water they're selling us to the needy children instead? i mean it wouldn't be a sustainable project but, might definitely receive less criticism. i'm glad i'm not the only one who noticed the ridiculousness of this product.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15583179721503101008noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-766882701166934144.post-87177238560265373412008-08-30T10:27:00.000-07:002008-08-30T10:27:00.000-07:00I think Starbucks is applying creative capitalism ...I think Starbucks is applying creative capitalism for a good cause. I applaud them and agree with Bill's post. Criticize companies that do nothing for the greater good.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-766882701166934144.post-29628785758833457602008-08-22T15:09:00.000-07:002008-08-22T15:09:00.000-07:00Great post. I agree. Except that Ethos does do som...Great post. I agree. Except that Ethos does do something good with that .05 cents and if someone is adamant about drinking bottled water, it's better to buy Ethos than another brand that doesn't take that money and help the world with it. People are stupid to buy it if they have good municipal water and at least Ethos is taking that stupidity and doing something right with it.kazbathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04442695059889548627noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-766882701166934144.post-73000635224376333852008-07-25T01:14:00.000-07:002008-07-25T01:14:00.000-07:00Hi Abigail, Hi all,I have been an enthisiastic col...Hi Abigail, Hi all,<BR/>I have been an enthisiastic collector of domestic plastic objects for about 20 years - sorry!<BR/>But that is not to say that I don't appreciate the negative side of the material.<BR/>I am aghast at the needless wrapping of products and of bottled water too.<BR/>But one thing gets me about Ethos is that they offer to donate a miserly 5c when they make a huge profit from the water they sell. I occasionally buy bottled water to take to the martial art lessons I participate in but am on the look-out for a permanent bottle. Yes, I sometimes refill the plastic bottle, but I'm told that this is not ideal as the plastic may leach out chemicals.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com