Democratizing Water with Rich Razgaitis: PYP 359

Rich “Raz” Razgaitis is on a mission to get water out of plastic, and plastic out of water.

As co-founder and CEO of FloWater, which aims to reduce and ultimately end our dependence on single-use plastic water bottles, Raz has become an impassioned advocate for public health and environmental sanity.

His message: bottled water is the new cigarette. As in,  it's killing us.

Huh? How is that possible?

Turns out that the billions of plastic bottles we consume every year don't biodegrade; they “photo-degrade” in our landfills and oceans, and the tiny microparticles of plastic end up in our water, our food, and ourselves.

The irony is, bottled water became popular because of fears of polluted tap water. But the bottles themselves end up polluting our tap water, in ways that antiquated municipal filtration systems can't handle.

Just like second-hand smoke harms non-smokers, second-hand plastic in our environment affects everyone, not just those who drink out of disposable plastic bottles.

And it disproportionately impacts the poor and vulnerable (think Flint, Michigan, and many other lesser-known places) who can't afford personal filtration at their homes.

In our conversation, Rich lays out the problem and offers suggestions for how as individuals and society we can reverse this alarming trend.

Enjoy, add your voice to the conversation via the comment box below, and please share – that's how we spread our message and spread our roots.

Links

FloWater

The SUNY study

CBS News article about SUNY study

Raz's Tedx Talk: Bottled Water is the New Cigarette

Support the Podcast

This podcast is not underwritten by advertising, so I can experience complete editorial autonomy without worrying about pissing off the person paying the bills. Instead, I pay the bills, with your help. It's free for those who can't afford to pay, and supported by those who can. You can contribute to the growth and improvement of the podcast by . Click the “Support on Patreon” or “Donate” buttons on the right to help out.

Announcements

Join me and Josh LaJaunie for a Sick to Fit Retreat in New Orleans, March 5-8, 2020. A small group experience in the most vibrant and potentially decadent city in America. We'll show you how to be healthy here, so you can be healthy anywhere (cue opening strains of “New York, New York”).

Looking for some hands-on support for your health goals? Check out my signature Laser Coaching program. One full year, unlimited laser sessions, crazy-low cost.

Ready to embark on your Big Change journey?

Are you tired of knowing what to do, and still not doing it consistently? The WellStart Health Big Change Program, led by Josh LaJaunie and myself, will help you take the steps to finally live according to your knowledge and values.

Go to WellStartHealth.com/program to learn more, and to get notified about the next program.

Ask your questions or share your feedback

Comment on the show notes for this episode (below)

Connect with me

Subscribe, rate, and review in iTunes

Join the Plant Yourself Facebook Page

Music