My hubby has long had a taste for sparkling waters. Considering that the average 12 oz soda has 150 calories, 10-15 grams of sugar/high fructose corn syrup and drinking one can a day can lead to a 15-pound yearly weight gain (and diet soda isn’t much better) …I’m glad he likes the clear, slightly lemony stuff.

However, I always feel a pang of  ‘green guilt,’ as I dutifully return the plastic bottles for recycling.  I had to consider that the plastic was made from petroleum, the bottles had to be shipped and it was all for an unneccessary food item. I found a brand of bubbly in glass containers, but the travel costs of our simple treat still nagged me.

My sister solved my dilemma with the best Christmas present ever! I am loving our new Soda Club Fountain Jet! Our starter kit came with soda flavors to add, but we’ve been happy with our bubbles and a squeeze of lemon or lime.

I appreciate the fact that the company answers questions about the recyclability and does not use plastic made with phthalates and PCBs.

If you don’t want to use a plastic bottle at all, Soda Club offers the adorable, Penquin, that dispenses into a glass caraf.

By my calculations, that is at least 250 less plastic bottles a year going in and out of my household. Soda Club has more details on how this great item will green up your beverage consumption. Cheers, Soda Club! Nicely done!

[This post was written by Lee Welles.]