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Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
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A water fountain in the lunch room solves the waste and mess problems.  Kids
and grownups can use it without losing sight of each other.  Short of that,
I'd vote for the big bottle dispenser and unwaxed paper cups/cones. Then you
can put in a heavy duty crosscut shredder and put the cups into a worm bin
as bedding, along with compostables.  Now you have an exhibit and waste
reduction technology all in one.

Dave Smith, who runs shredded financial paperwork through the worm bins at
home, keeping our data very secure ;-)

On Wed, Apr 2, 2008 at 4:52 PM, Daniels, Alissa <
[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
> institutions.
>
> *****************************************************************************
>
> Perhaps I should clarify. This came up as summer is coming, and our
> visitors will be picnicking in our lunch room and be looking for water. We
> do have fountains in the building, and we do ask our visitors not to eat in
> the exhibit halls. The thought was a busy parent with 3 kids and brought
> lunch but no drinks and we don't want them buying soda next door, so can't
> we provide them with either cups by the water fountain in the lunch room, or
> a water bottle vending machine.
>
> thanks for all the suggesitons so far!
> AD
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Informal Science Education Network
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Sara De Angelis
> Sent: Wednesday, April 02, 2008 4:11 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: rock and a hard place
>
>
> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
> institutions.
>
> *****************************************************************************
>
> Alissa,
>
> The water bottle issue is a pain for all of us.  Still I think there
> must be more than two choices out there.
>
> I'm hoping these options don't sound too flip but here goes:
> 1) water fountains liberally distributed - we don't always need to
> carry our water around just to have it accessible
> 2) flat paper and instructions for origami paper cups - its super
> simple to make them and the by product can be recycled still (only
> works very close to the source of water!)
> 3) a trade in system bring in X number of water bottles or useful
> green program resource walk out with a permanent replacement like a
> Sigg bottle or Klean Kanteen with CM logo
>
> If all that fails you could always ask visitors to refrain from eating
> and drinking on our exhibit floor because of our collections.  (We
> don't allow it on our floor but rather in designated areas close to
> bathrooms and water fountains.
>
> For some interesting fodder on the plastics question check out:
> http://www.fakeplasticfish.com/
>
> Sara
>
> Sara DeAngelis
> Brooklyn Children's MuseumProject Manager/Lead Exhibit Developer
> Neighborhood Nature
> 145 Brooklyn Ave.
> Brooklyn, NY 11213
>
> p. 718 735-4400 x149
> c. 718 578-8269
> e. [log in to unmask]
>
> "The best place to observe nature is where you are."
> — John Burroughs
>
> On Apr 2, 2008, at 3:30 PM, Daniels, Alissa wrote:
>
> > ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology
> > Centers
> > Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
> > institutions.
> >
> *****************************************************************************
> >
> > I've been trying to find an answer to this question and having no
> > luck, so I turn to my online science pals:
> > If you MUST choose one or the other, which is worse: plastic water
> > bottles or (waxed) paper cups? The water bottles are terrible: the
> > energy to make them and the trash they create, but they are at least
> > recyclable. Paper cups don't create as much mess in the
> > manufacturing, but they do create mess when you're done with them.
> >
> > Any thoughts? Or suggestions for realistic alternatives (i.e.
> > there's no way we can expect our visitors to bring their own
> > reusable bottles or buy them in the shop. I think we all know that!)
> >
> > many thanks,
> > AD
> > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> > Alissa Daniels, Science Program Manager
> > Boston Children's Museum
> > 617-426-6500 x342
> > www.BostonChildrensMuseum.org
> > The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds
> > new discoveries, is not "Eureka!" (I found it!) but "That's
> > funny..."   --Isaac Asimov
> > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> >
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-- 
David L. Smith
Da Vinci Science Center
Allentown, PA
http://www.davinci-center.org

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