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Writers:
It's All About the Sink
Posted on Jan. 23, 2008 at 9:21 a.m. by Jill.
Sometimes being sustainable is all about having access to a sink. At work, when coffee is served at meetings with people coming in from outside, it's hard to avoid those disposable cups. (At the Nature Musuem, the staff mostly bring their own mugs from their desks--but what is someone coming in from the outside supposed to do? Put a little creamer in his or her mouth and drink directly from the coffee urn spigot?)
I've been known to bring my own cup to meetings at other places -- but there is that awkwardness of what to do with it once it's dirty. The bathroom sink is usually an option, but if you're at someplace that makes a point of only having hand dryers and no towels, then you have a wet mug to carry around with you.
Am I taking this too seriously? Should I just make my peace with the disposable cup? Should I direct my concerns to other more important things than remembering to bring my mug everywhere I go in case the urgent need to consume fluids comes upon me? Should I donate money to have sinks installed everywhere that I might have a meeting?
laurene commented, on January 24, 2008 at 1:57 p.m.:
The most ingenious and amazing cup ever invented was the human hand. When my son asks for a drink (and thankfully he often asks for water) I tell him to do what I did as a kid - go to the sink and let your hands bring the water to your lips. Yum. Hands also make good washcloths.
Now this doesnt solve the starbucks problem.
Wouldn't water fountains everywhere be great?
Jill commented, on January 28, 2008 at 2:52 p.m.:
I'm not sure that using my bare hand to drink with will impress my colleagues.
But maybe. Perhaps I can bring my own snack to meetings, too. Some nice meaty bones, for example, and gnaw on those during someone's power point.
Caroline commented, on May 2, 2008 at 10:32 a.m.:
What about using a thermal/portable reusable cup? Just take the cap off when you are in the meeting so you don't have to slurp. Replace it when you leave and wash it when you get back.
Disposable coffee cups are wasteful, but what really kills me is bottled water. What's wrong with a water fountain?!? Thankfully, the museum has several. I bring my SIGG bottle everywhere (and have one for each of my 3 kids) and refill it as I go.
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