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In the United States in 2006, bottled water consumption reached a record 8.3 billion gallons, 185 million gallons of which was imported. The total amount spent on bottled water was over $11 billion. (Beverage Marketing Corp.)
In contrast to tap water, which is distributed through an energy-efficient infrastructure, transporting bottled water long distances involves burning massive quantities of fossil fuels. Nearly a quarter of all bottled water crosses national borders to reach consumers, transported by boat, train, and truck. (Earth Policy Institute)
It costs more money to drink bottled water than to put gas in your car--up to five time more--due mainly to its packaging and transportation.(Earth Policy institute)
Bottled water companies do not have to release their water-testing results to the public, whereas municipalities do. (Natural Resources Defense Council
From Reusablebags.com:
What are some of the problems associated with plastic bottles? Take a look at these facts.
Americans will buy an estimated 25 billion single-serving, plastic water bottles this year. Eight out of 10 (22 billion) will end up in a landfill. -- Container Recycling Institute
Bottled water is a rip off - consumers spend an estimate $7 billion on bottled water in US each year.
Worldwide 2.7 million tons of plastic are used to bottle water each year. -- OneWorld
1.5 million barrels of oil is used annually To produce plastic water bottles for America alone - enough to fuel some 100,000 U.S. cars for a year. -- Earth Policy Institute
Imagine a water bottle filled a quarter of the way up with oil. That's about how much oil was needed to produce the bottle. -- National Geographic
The bottled water you purchase is often in #1 PET or PETE bottles (polyethylene terephthalate), which may leach DEHA, a known carcinogen, if used more than once. -- Mothering.com
A growing problem: "In 1990, Americans bought 1.1 billion pounds of plastic in the form of bottles, according to the Container Recycling Institute. In 2002, they bought more than three times that - 4 billion pounds." -- Christian Science Monitor
Increasing evidence of adverse health effects tied to Bisphenol A, or BPA a widely used chemical in the manufacturing of plastic polycarbonate bottles, including baby bottles, water bottles and food / beverage containers.
Like all plastic, these bottles will be with us forever since plastic does not biodegrade; rather, it breaks down into smaller and smaller toxic bits that contaminate our soil and waterways.
Along with plastic bags, plastic bottles are one of the most prevalent sources of pollution found on our beaches.
Many studies show that the quality of bottled water may be no better than tap water.
Tuesday Tip: Use a Refillable Water Bottle
3 comments:
"(...)tap water, (...) is distributed through an energy-efficient infrastructure(...)"
Hummm - the most efficient in terms of energy and water (resource) preservation would be to have two water delivery systems; one for potable water, and one for other uses (laundry, showers, etc...)
It does not make sense to use potable water for cleaning.
Cheeers
I never understand why so many people drink bottled water - tap water tastes better in my opinion -but I suppose that varies with where you live.
Petrol(gas) cheaper than bottled water? If only that were true in the UK! Petrol is 115 pence a litre at the moment (that's expensive even for us). Not sure how that converts to dollars but I'm pretty sure its a lot more than you have to pay :-)
FredInChina: Thank you for visiting my blog! I appreciate your comments.
SueC: We have well water in our area and it tastes ok. The dojo has a water cooler with refillable 5 gallon water bottles.
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