ECOShift

The discussion on bottled water certainly generates a lot of different and very strong opinions.  I think the best way to form an opinion is to gather as much information and as many viewpoints as possible.  Only after we have shared our views and listened objectively to the opinions and views of others can we truly work toward a better solution.

Let’s talk about it a bit today and get some more input.

What is the big issue with bottled water?

Well, there are a few issues that seem to come up over and over again:

1)      Companies take water from ground and surface water sources, bottle it, and sell it all over the world.  There are a few sub issues within this larger issue:

a.       Water bottling operations can put a significant strain on local ground and surface water resources.  In some cases we aren’t even certain of the total volume in ground water aquifers yet companies are still given the go ahead to suck out large quantities of water based on a “feeling” that there is probably more than we need and it will be the local communities that suffer if that happens.  These ground water sources may also take a very long time to be replenished naturally if they are used up or drawn down too much.  We are talking about generations, not weeks, months or years, and depending on how climate change affects precipitation, maybe never.

b.      In some cases these companies pay a very small fee (a few thousand dollars) for the right to suck 1-2 million liters of water a day from aquifers. 

c.       Many suppliers of bottled water also use municipal water.  On the one hand, at least they are paying for the water at some consumption based rate (hopefully) but they are putting additional high volume strain on local municipal facilities for water that might be bottled and sent elsewhere.  This translates to local cost implications that are not due to true local demand and is also subject to item “a” above.

2)      Another key issue, and probably the biggest one, is landfill waste.  According to some study estimates (NAPCOR) about 50% of Polyethelyne terepthalate (PET) bottles in recycling bins in the US are water bottles and the rate of recycling for these bottles is only about 24%.  That means that at best 1 in 4 bottles actually get recycled.  According to CBC, Canadian statistics from 2006 estimated that 88% of bottles are not being recycled.  That’s only 1 in every 8 bottles that actually make it to be recycled.  Whatever the numbers really are I think it’s fair to say that a re-useable water bottle, whenever possible, is the best choice for our environment because a large number of plastic water bottles are not making it to be recycled. Whether you choose to drink tap water or purified water try to avoid generating a lot of plastic waste.  Keep in mind that although recycling is a fantastic thing and we should all do it, it takes much less money, time and energy if you don’t have to recycle in the first place. 

In general there seems to be a consensus that although plastic bottles (from any source) can be recycled many of them are not and it’s certainly much better to use a re-useable bottle whenever possible.  When you can’t, take a little more initiative to make sure that bottle goes into the recycling bin and not just in the garbage. Take it home with you and put it in the recycling if there isn’t a recycling bin where you are, it’s not dirty or grimy, it’s just an empty plastic bottle you just drank from.

The discussion of tap water vs. purified water, is also part of the equation here.  Although municipal treatment facilities have very high water quality standards and are required to test there water very frequently, in some areas the water doesn’t taste good to everyone.  Some people are perfectly fine with tap water but others have a higher sensitivity to things like chlorine, high mineral content etc.  This can become even more evident for tea drinkers, for example, where there is a significant difference in flavour when using water that is not purified.  The reality is that it is very difficult to say tap water tastes good for everyone, everywhere, and everyone should be satisfied with it. So what do you do, force everyone to have the same taste buds?  No, educate on how to make the most environmentally conscious choice. If you prefer purified water educate yourself on it a little. Look into some different technologies and compare them, but also consider the environmental efficiency and impact of those solutions.  Choose a water purifier that is efficient and if you use bottled water use large re-usable bottles (5 Gallon) that can be cleaned and re-used instead of single use bottles.  If you calculate the cost of a case of water in bottles it’s also cheaper to buy an equivalent product in a 5G re-useable bottle.

The issues mentioned above are certainly not considered a comprehesive list.  Share some of your own concerns by commenting on this article.  As an example, some areas across the country are banning the sale of bottled water, and there are some areas that are talking about expanding this to schools and other facilities.  What do you think, is this a good idea? Share your opinion and thoughts by commenting on this article.