PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE ONLINE BUSINESS STRATEGIES, BPA, AND MORE Business innovation and the plastics packaging issue of bisphenol-A (BPA) are the topics we tackle in this issue of Bottled Water Reporter. As we are all aware, business best practices evolve almost daily in this digital age, and bottled water companies, just like any other businesses, want to implement operational strategies that can be of benefit to both them and their customers. Enter online bill payment and ordering systems. While adding another layer to your website might seem overwhelming, perhaps after reading “Getting Online: Obstacles and Advantages,” you’ll be able to fully weigh the consequences of adding—or not adding—these digital systems.
IBWA
International Bottled Water Association BOTTLED WATER REPORTER is published for: International Bottled Water Association 1700 Diagonal Road, Suite 650 Alexandria, VA 22314-2973. Tel: 703.683.5213 Fax: 703.683.4074 www.bottledwater.org
IBWA STAFF President Joseph K. Doss jdoss@bottledwater.org Vice President of Education, Science, and Technical Relations Robert R. Hirst bhirst@bottledwater.org Vice President of Government Relations Vacant Vice President of Communications Christopher S. Hogan chogan@bottledwater.org
A topic that continues to see a lot of media coverage is BPA. But, as author Steve Hengtes, PhD, of the American Chemistry Council’s Polycarbonate/BPA Global Group, asks, “Can You Believe What the Media Says About BPA?” Hengtes provides an informative review illustrating why BPA is important to the plastics industry, how journalists continue to ignore the scientific research proving the safety of this chemical compound, and why you—and your customers—should feel confident in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s opinion that BPA is safe for use in food/beverage containers.
Chief Financial Officer Michelle S. Tiller mtiller@bottledwater.org
In “Investigating BPA,” we continue to delve into understanding how it came to be that BPA is the misunderstood chemical compound of the plastics industry. Journalist Trevor Butterworth explains how one interview with one developmental biologist on two studies (each with seven mice) set in motion a one-sided media debate on BPA. Yet, he suggests things might be changing.
Director of Government Relations J.P. Toner jtoner@bottledwater.org
This issue’s columns offer IBWA members motivation to get more involved in association activities. In the Government Relations column, we acknowledge that participating in Capitol Hill visits can be intimidating, but we review the many ways IBWA staff is available to make your first time a success. A recent tour of the recycling facility Clean Tech Incorporated is highlighted in the Technical Update column—along with information on how members can aid recycling efforts by adjusting their business procedures. And in the Communications column, we encourage members to share the good story of bottled water by communicating to consumers the many steps our industry has taken to make our containers environmentally sustainable. As always, I hope you enjoy reading this issue of Bottled Water Reporter. Let us know if you have any article suggestions or would like to contribute to an upcoming issue.
Director of Conventions, Trade Shows, and Meetings Michele Campbell mcampbell@bottledwater.org Director of Science and Research Tamika Sims tsims@bottledwater.org
Manager of Publications and Special Projects Sabrina E. Hicks shicks@bottledwater.org Manager of Member Services Dennis Carpenter dcarpenter@bottledwater.org Education and Technical Programs Coordinator Claire Crane ccrane@bottledwater.org Executive Assistant Patrice Ward ibwainfo@bottledwater.org Bottled Water Reporter Layout and Design Rose McLeod rozmack@gmail.com Tel: 315.447.4385 Editor Sabrina E. Hicks shicks@bottledwater.org Graphic Designer Rose McLeod rozmack@gmail.com Advertising Sales Stephanie Schaefer stephanie@bottledwater.org
Joe Doss IBWA President 4
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