The International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) says that a decision by the University of Vermont to ban the sale of bottled water, while at the same time mandating that vending machines contain 1/3 healthy beverages, sends a contradictory and confusing message to its students. The decision also restricts freedom of choice for students to choose one of the healthiest beverages available in vending machines.

The university has failed to understand that bottled water is most often an alternative to other packaged drinks, which are often less healthy, and is not necessarily an alternative to tap water, says Chris Hogan, IBWA Vice President of Communications.

Research by owners of vending machines shows when bottled water is not available in a vending machine, people choose other packaged beverages, which may contain sugar, caffeine and other additives. They dont necessarily go looking for a drinking water fountain, says Mr. Hogan.

IBWA notes the irony that the university-wide ban coincides with a mandate that vending machines contain 1/3 healthy beverages, while obviously excluding bottled water as a healthy beverage.

Its a misguided attempt to deal with a waste issue, that would be better addressed through improved recycling rates of all packaged drinks, says Mr. Hogan. Bottled water containers are the most highly recycled containers in curbside programs, and the EPA has calculated that plastic bottled water containers make up just 0.03% of the U.S. wastestream. So, getting rid of bottled water on campus will not make a significant improvement to waste issues.

Instead, students will turn to other packaged drinks, which still require proper recycling collection facilities, he said. I would encourage students, if they want to make a real difference for the environment, to focus their efforts of improving recycling rates of all beverages, not single out one the healthiest drinks on the shelf.

Stocking the vending machines with teas and enhanced waters as an option to sugary drinks does nothing to help a student looking for pure clean safe water that does not have a the taste of chlorine. Removing the students freedom to choose packaged water is a serious issue. Telling students that they can or cannot buy bottled water is a step backwards, especially with the growing rates of obesity and diabetes in the U.S.

Mr. Hogan speculated whether UVM administrators would now face similar backlash from its students as the state of Vermont faced from its workers when it attempted a similar ban last year. In June 2011, Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin (D) postponed a state bottled water ban after workers voiced concerns over access to drinking water.

“Many, many state employees have brought forward logistical and other concerns that I think we carefully need to consider before we trigger on this policy,” said Secretary of Administration Jeb Spaulding (D).

“There were enough situations raised (by employees) that we, in good conscience, couldn’t ignore them,” said Spaulding. “We’re at a point where our state workforce, over the last few years, has been under a great deal of stress, with fewer employees doing the same amount of work, and taking pay cuts. It’s important, as an employer, to do what you can to support the morale of your team.”

IBWA yesterday released a new YouTube video addressing the college bottled water ban issue. To view this video click or cut and past this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iy5p7at7vf0&list=UUcXQ2ToCG65c7GrYHLxGW-A&index=1&feature=plcp

Contact: Chris Hogan

Office: 703-647-4609 or Cell: 301-325-4411

The International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) is the authoritative source of information about all types of bottled waters. Founded in 1958, IBWA’s membership includes U.S. and international bottlers, distributors and suppliers. IBWA is committed to working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which regulates bottled water as a packaged food product, and state governments to set stringent standards for safe, high quality bottled water products. Additionally, IBWA requires member bottlers to adhere to the IBWA Bottled Water Code of Practice, which mandates additional standards and practices that in some cases are more stringent than federal and state regulations. A key feature of the IBWA Model Code is an annual plant inspection by an independent, third party organization. For more information about IBWA, bottled water and a list of members brands, please contact Chris Hogan, IBWAs Vice President of Communications at 703-647-54609 or chogan(at)bottledwater(dot)org.

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Technorati Tags: Bottled, College, Fails, Students, Water

Easy Home Recording Blueprint – Big 75% Commissions!
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Medical Billing Home Business Bible 2011
The Most Truthful 20 Step Guide On Starting A Work From Home Medical Billing Career And Home Based Medical Billing Business. This 108 Page Home Business Bible Has 2 Printable Contracts, Phone Script, Setup Checklist, Marketing Flyer’s And Much More.
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Denim Group, the leading secure software development firm, today announced it has been honored for the fourth consecutive time as one of the fastest growing companies in 2011 by being named to the Inc. 500/5000 list. The prestigious list of the nation’s most successful private companies is an exclusive ranking of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies and has become the hallmark of entrepreneurial success and the place where future household names first make their mark. Pandora, 7 Eleven, Toys ‘R’ Us, Zipcar, Zappos.com and numerous other well-known brands have been honored by the Inc. 500|5000.

“Denim Group is honored to have been recognized as one of the few companies in America to have been able to successfully grow a business during the longest recession since the Great Depression, said John Dickson, principal of Denim Group. Clearly our unique business model of combining top of the line enterprise application development expertise with the ability to produce secure and robust applications is continuing to be validated and recognized as critical in todays threat-laden marketplace.

Outstripping the pace of the economy as a whole, Denim Group has experienced a tremendous growth rate of 45% over the past 3 years, despite the fact that the economys 4.3 percent growth over the last three years represents the most sluggish growth period since 1982. Denim Group has integrated its unique IT security knowledge with leading application development skills to create one of the industrys first secure enterprise development firms. By building secure software and helping clients secure the software they have, the company has been able to help clients rapidly ramp up critical software development projects.

The company focuses on helping customers improve operational efficiency, drive revenue growth and build customer loyalty by building applications using secure development practices and techniques. Denim Group specializes in enhancing its clients competitive edge through enhancing existing software or by designing customized solutions that solve the most pressing customer service issues. Denim Group also provides training to companies across the board on best practices in software security development. Denim Group customers include well-known and emerging companies covering a broad range of diverse industries including the military, healthcare, mobile and smart-grid organizations.

There are nearly 7 million private, employee- based firms in America. We are pleased to be recognized as one of the best by being awarded the distinction of being named to the Inc.500|5000 four years in a row, Dickson continued.

Methodology

The 2011 Inc. 500 is ranked according to percentage revenue growth when comparing 2007 to 2010. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2007. Additionally, they had to be U.S.-based, privately held, for profit, and independent-not subsidiaries or divisions of other companies-as of December 31, 2010. (Since then, a number of companies on the list have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2007 was $ 100,000; the minimum for 2010 was $ 2 million. Companies on the Inc. 500 were featured in Inc.’s September 2011 issue. They represent the top tier of the Inc. 5000, which can be found at http://www.inc.com/500.

About Inc. Magazine

Founded in 1979 and acquired in 2005 by Mansueto Ventures LLC, Inc. is the only major business magazine dedicated exclusively to owners and managers of growing private companies that delivers real solutions for today’s innovative company builders. With a total paid circulation of 710,106, Inc. provides hands-on tools and market-tested strategies for managing people, finances, sales, marketing, and technology. Visit us online at http://www.inc.com.

About Denim Group

Denim Group is the leading secure software development firm. The company builds custom large-scale software development projects across multiple platforms, languages and applications. What makes Denim Group unique is that the company brings significant core competencies in software security to the table, offering an innovative blend of secure software development, testing and training capabilities that protect a company’s biggest asset, its data. Denim Group customers span an international client base of commercial and public sector organizations across the financial services, banking, insurance, healthcare and defense industries. Its depth of experience building large-scale software development systems in a secure fashion has made the companys leaders recognized experts in their fields. Denim Group has been recognized as one of the 5,000 Fastest Growing Companys by Inc. Magazine several years in a row, and has won multiple awards including its recent accolades as one of the best places to work in San Antonio. For more information about Denim Group visit http://www.denimgroup.com


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KOOL PAK, LLC announced today that it has acquired British Columbia-based carrier Polar Express Transportation, LTD., to expand regularly scheduled delivery services into and throughout Canada. The move strengthens both KOOL PAK and Polar Express Transportations ability to transport, store and deliver temperature-controlled LTL shipments throughout Canada and the United States on a worry-free basis for all customers.

Regardless of which side of the northern border were on, any product entrusted to us will be well cared for and in our control said KOOL PAK CEO Steve Ness. KOOL PAK has a great reputation and will provide the necessary resources to help us continue to grow and serve our customers said Polar Express owner and General Manager Jamie Plowman.

Among the assets acquired is a warehouse and cross-dock facility located in Langley, BC, which offers temperature-controlled protection for products while in transit. The sale also includes new-model tractors and dual-temp, refrigerated trailers.

Impressed by Polar Express Transportations management team, cross-border expertise and commitment to customer service, safety and the welfare of its employees, the acquisition was a logical addition to the KOOL PAK family. Polar Express Transportation will continue to operate under its current name and management. KOOL PAKs US headquarters will provide state-of-the-art transportation management systems and other resources in support of its Canadian operations.

Established in 1968, KOOL PAK, LLC (http://www.kool-pak.com) is the leading provider of worry-free, temperature-controlled LTL shipping. In addition to world-class transportation services, the company operates strategically placed terminals with refrigerated warehouse space in Oregon and Washington. KOOL PAK delivers a higher level of service by being a proven, proactive, flexible extension of its customers business.

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Technorati Tags: Acquires, Canada's, Express, KOOL, LTD., Polar, Transportation

Bobzio.com announces the winner of the best value vacation rental for Buzios, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil after user voting. Bobzio.com is a no cost option to vacation rental owners, home exchangers and local services to advertise their vacation homes and travel oriented business. Bobzio.com is a Cooperative of Holiday Home Owners offering a free platform where holiday home owners, home exchangers and travelers can find each other. There is no cost for making a property listing. The home swap system uses the same platform as the vacation rental system. It is possible to offer a vacation home as both a home exchange and vacation rental. This is accomplished by checking the appropriate boxes when constructing a listing. A reservation calendar is free to all users and helps organize records and informs potential clients what periods are open to rent or exchange. A contact number can be displayed by the home owner to facilitate connections with potential clients. There is an email contact option provided at the bottom of each Bobzio listing. Bobzio.com provides the user the capacity to search for exchanges and rentals based on Area Attractions. For example, if fishing is a primary interest, a search can be performed and properties displayed with this amenity. This is particularly convenient when arranging a home swap & holiday activities.

Bobzio.com, a Cooperative of Vacation Home Owners, Home Exchangers and Service Providers is completely free. Bobzio.com functions just like a farm cooperative where local farmers group together to leverage their buying power for the benefit of all members. Otherwise the farmer would be at the mercy of large Corporation’s power to set prices for services like Vacation Home Owners and Service Providers are now. Vacation home owners and business owners with common marketing interests need to join the Bobzio.com marketing cooperative effort. If 20,000 cooperative members logged in on a regular basis to the Bobzio.com website, then Bobzio.com would be positioned first under vacation rentals search on Google. This is important to reduce marketing costs and maximizing the market exposure of holiday rentals and home swaps collectively. Realistically a vacation property owner and service provider need only spend twenty-five dollars a year for marketing if the Bobzio Vacation Property Co-op had 20,000 members logging in regularly. Let’s go.

Bobzio.com has selected Buzios Beach Home as giving an exceptional value to the client and is named Bobzios Best Value Vacation Rental in Buzios, Rio de Janerio, Brazil. Selection is not based solely on cost but rather on the level of fun factor, amenities and available activity bundles. Suggestions for Bobzios Best Value Vacation Rental can be made by sending comments to http://www.bobzio.com.

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Economy Floor Sanding Brisbane owner Karl Little says, “For too long, equipment hire companies have used do it yourself campaigns to lure customers, without including full disclosure of the adequate skills that are required.”

“With the downturn in the current housing market, home owners are choosing to hold onto their properties and perform their own renovation work at the risk of de-valuating their homes due to poor quality workmanship.”

“The average unskilled handyman in the control of certain hire machinery are putting themselves in a position that will ultimately cost them more than if they initially engaged the services of a licenced and professional tradesman.”

“As industry professionals, a recent opportunity to witness first hand some of the floor sanding and polishing work of the home handyman has revealed it was not feasible to attempt repairing their floors.”

“In this circumstance, the level of damage sustained would require too much of the timber to be removed to completely sand out the hollows left from their sanding attempt, due to a lack of instruction or knowledge of the correct operation procedure of the machinery”.

In the midst of these hard economic times it is understandable that a home consumer will be looking to reduce costs involved with their home renovation project, although in this case the home owner’s floor was ruined.

When they set their sights on hiring equipment and attempting to sand and polish their own timber floors, they step into an area of expertise only acquired through years of experience and will lead them down a path where the floor sanding cost and effort involved will prove to have been wasted.

Equipment hire companies encourage the home owners to give it a go themselves in any field of renovation work, although they generally do not stock the correct equipment used by the floor sanding industry professionals that will ultimately contribute to a high quality result.

Whether you are a renovator, selling your home or engaged as a property investor, Economy Floor Sanding provide great tips and advice on polished timber floors, and will help the consumer to understand the benefits of using the services of an industry professional.

Contact information:

Karl Little, Director of Public Relations

Economy Floor Sanding Brisbane

Web: http://www.econfloors.com.au

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Buyers are driving second-hand cars ownership transfers and online car listings to the highest figure since 2000. Tight supply of certificates of entitlement (COEs) makes new cars too expensive in Singapore, which already has the worlds highest cost of car ownership due to vehicle and ownership taxes. Findings are based on the Automotive Trends and Consumer Engagement Report, an industry study conducted by Conversion Hub in conjunction with sgCarMart.com.

In Singapore, where owning a Toyota would now cost your over $ 100,000SGD ($ 79,000USD), owning a new car is simply too costly for the average consumer.

According to recently released data from the Singapore Land Transport Authority (LTA), new car registrations fell to an all-time low of 28,270 as the supply of COEs – which consumers must bid for the right to buy a motor vehicle – fell to its lowest level to date.

In contrast, more than 72,000 cars had their ownerships transferred last year – the highest figure since 2000.

As high COEs prices continue to take a central stage in Singapore, sgCarMart.com – Singapore’s largest online car portal saw a 112 percent surge in direct owner listings as more sellers choose to cut cost by selling directly to another consumer instead of through a dealer.

SgCarMart.com has observed a surge in direct owner used car listings from 7,213 to 15,269 over a two-year period. [1] Similarly, there was an 87 percent increase in vehicle ownership transfers over the same

period. [2]

Apart from high, prohibitive COE prices, another reason for the spike is the trend of car owners selling directly so as to increase the returns on the value of their used cars. The increase in returns can range from $ 5,000 to $ 30,000 without going through a second-hand car dealer.

According to a recent survey conducted by sgCarMart.com [3], 94 percent of the respondents said they would buy or sell directly if there was a free service to help them settle the transaction paperwork from car loan and insurance settlement to vehicle ownership transfer.

To meet the demand, sgCarMart.com has set up a free suite of services, under sgCarMart Connect. sgCarMart Connect will provide direct car sellers and buyers an end to end direct solution to transact their car directly online including assisted online listing, vehicle mechanical inspection, sourcing for multiple insurance quotations, sourcing for multiple financing quotations and legal transfer of the vehicle ownership. To date, sgCarMart Connect has more than 10 direct car owners using its services since its launch less than a week ago.

SgCarMart.com projects that by next year, sgCarMart Connect will see a 30-40 percent growth in terms of direct vehicle ownership transfers in tandem with the positive second-hand car market outlook.

About Conversion Hub

Conversion Hub, an online marketing science company that helps clients achieves the No.1 or No.2 position in their market. Conversion Hub typically delivers a return on investment (ROI) improvement in excess of 100% to our clients. Conversion Hub delivers world-class solutions based on the premise of performance excellence and long-lasting results.

Headquartered in Singapore, Conversion Hub combines a decade of digital experience in online sustainability and marketing expertise, serving brands and government institutions such as Philips, Bayer, Microsoft, SingTel, National Heritage Board, Prime Minister Office, Public Service Commission, National University of Singapore and many others.

For more information, visit http://www.conversion-hub.com.

About sgCAarMart Connect

sgCarMart Connect operates Singapore’s Number 1 automotive marketplace for six years running according to Hitwise. Each month, sgCarMart.com generates over 2 million visits and 35 million page views, helping millions of consumers easily plan and purchase their dream car.

With sgCarMart Connect Best Price Guarantee, sgCarMart.com customers can get a seamless experience in directly buying and selling a car as well as the best rates available for car loans and insurance..

For more information, visit http://connect.sgCarMart.com/.

About Land Transport Authority (LTA)

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) is a statutory board under the Ministry of Transport that spearheads land transport developments in Singapore. LTA plans the long-term transport needs of Singapore, taking care of those who drive as well as those who take public transport. The ultimate goal – a smooth and seamless journey for all.

For more information, visit [1 In 2009, direct car owner listing is at 7,213. In 2011, direct car owner listing is at 15,269. Surge can be attributed to market reactions towards LTAs new policy to reduce new COE quota in 2009.

[2] Total number of transfers with LTA for 2009 is at 47,751 and 2011 is at 89,117.

[3] 1,261 sgCarMart members answered the survey over a two-week period (15 Nov 1 Dec, 2011)

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