The Dirt
September/October 2008

BPA-free Water Bottles

By now you’ve probably heard that Nalgene has stopped production on its polycarbonate bottles containing BPA (a chemical linked to cancer) due to consumer demand for safer alternatives. So throw out that tattered old bottle you’ve been lugging around since college and pick up one of these cool, reusable, healthy, and environmentally friendly options that have recently hit the shelves. All these stylish bottles are BPA-free.

Nalgene Wide-mouth Everyday Bottle
With the same cool look as your Nalgene of yesteryear, this durable update is made of a new copolyester plastic that does not contain the BPA once found in traditional Nalgenes. Look for the telltale “Everyday” on the side of the bottle to know you are safe to hydrate! 32 ounce $11.50. www.nalgene-outdoor.com

CamelBak Podium Bottle
This revamped bike bottle eliminates the need for biting and pulling each time you want
to take a drink. Just squeeze or sip and turn the top to the lock position when not in use for leak-proof transport. This bottle is made from polypropylene, ensuring that your water always tastes like water and not like an old bike bottle. 24 ounce $9. www.camelbak.com

Katadyn Micro
This handy bottle-and-filter combo allows you to fill directly from the sink or stream. A microfilter eliminates bacteria while the additional carbon filter reduces chemicals for a cleaner taste. 21 ounce $40. www.katadyn.com

Sigg Water Bottle with Screw Top
Durable and lightweight, this aluminum bottle is lined with material that is guaranteed to be nonleaching, ensuring that no matter what you put in your bottle (or what you had in there before) it will always taste just right. A wide variety of funky designs and cap options (like screw top or squirt top) make this bottle both functional and fun. 20 ounce $20. www.mysigg.com

Get Ready to Rock the Vote

Tuesday, November 4, is Election Day. Are you prepared? Register Most state deadlines for voter registration are in October, but they are all different, so check out www.rockthevote.com for your state’s deadline. Get Organized Not sure what ID you need on voting day? Want information about absentee ballots or eligibility requirements? Go to www.vote411.org for answers to lots of voting questions. They’ll even draw you a map. Get Informed Learn more about the candidates at www.votesmart.org. This great, nonpartisan Web site comes complete with candidates’ speeches, voting records, and affiliations.

3 Peaks 3 Weeks Challenge: Climb for Africa

Experience Africa while giving back to it. In January of each year, a group of 10 to 15 women spend three weeks climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru, and Mount Kenya—all while raising money and awareness for environmental, educational, and health development in Africa.

The rapid population growth, lack of education, and widespread commonality of HIV in Africa puts a tremendous strain on both the people and the environment. The population’s health and sustainability are gravely at risk, but the bold women of this expedition are working to do their part to raise money that will be used to educate Africans about the many community-threatening issues with which they are faced. Teaching sustainable agriculture practices and conservation of their natural resources, increasing the availability of primary education, and offering mobile HIV testing in rural areas—all are programs that the funds raised by the 3 Peaks 3 Weeks team supports. The climbers spend three weeks exploring the wonders of nature in the region, and, when not summiting the three peaks, they visit the organizations and project sites that the funds they raise support.

“I have a massive amount of passion for Africa in general, and there could be no greater way to display that than to stand on the roof of the country with a fabulous team of friends and a check written out to support amazing work across the region,” says participant Laura Hartstone.

Applications for the January 2010 expedition are due in September 2008, with final selection being made in November 2008. www.3peaks3weeks.org.

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