Is bottled water a sin?
The rise of the bottled water industry has sparked a backlash. Some environmental activists complain that the "privatization" of the nation's water supply -- paying for bottles of stuff that's free and clean straight out of the tap -- is a scam. They say it just creates more litter, and wastes petroleum needed in the manufacture of the plastic bottles.
Here is a story in the Philadephia Inquirer about the anti-bottled water insurgency.
But does all this concern about environmental impact have anything to do with why people drink bottled water? For some people stuck in the fast-food lifestyle of driving from meetings to home to soccer practice, grabbing a bottle of water on the road is a no-sugar, no-caffeine alternative to buying a can of soda. Is that so bad? People are going to grab something to drink when they're at a convenience store. Isn't plain water better than brown carbonated sugarwater?
Some people might argue that we should just take a cup or reusable bottle along with us in our car. We could walk into a convenience store and ask to use the bathroom, and then fill up our cup with tap water. That might work. But that takes some advance planning (something harried Americans sometimes aren't good at). And would you trust the tap water in a filthy gas station on the Interstate?
Readers, what do you think about this?
Here are some highlights from the story that ran in the Philadelphia Inquirer:
By Sandy Bauers, INQUIRER STAFF WRITER
"Bottled water, once an icon of a healthy lifestyle, has become a pariah, the environmentally incorrect humvee of beverages. In recent months, dissent over the once innocuous bottle of Aquafina or Dasani has grown from a trickle to a tsunami.....
Bottled water - a $10.9 billion-a-year industry in the United States - has even emerged as a moral issue, a peace issue.
"We are called by our faith stance," said Sister Sharon Dillon, a former executive director of the Franciscan Federation in Washington, as she pledged to forgo Deer Park, Poland Spring, and all the others.
For her, it's a matter of equitable access. A billion people worldwide don't have safe drinking water, one in five of them children.
Americans, on the other hand, with near total access, are binging on bottled of every sort, from the handheld variety to the office jugs. We swigged 8.25 billion gallons in 2006 - an average of 28 gallons per person.
Dillon spoke at a teleconference organized by the advocacy group Corporate Accountability International, which sees bottled water as a corporate abuse - the takeover of a natural resource that should belong to everyone.
The group wants people to "Think Outside the Bottle" and, like Dillon, pledge not to drink it.
Canada's Polaris Group, which advocates for social change, wants people to take a closer look at what's inside the bottle. According to the Beverage Marketing Corp., more than 40 percent is filtered or treated tap water.....
The Women's International League of Peace and Freedom has launched a three-year "Save the Water" campaign, on the notion that drinking bottled water encourages privatization, which can lead to wars over water."
I report on the environment and Chesapeake Bay. A native of West Virginia, I have focused mainly on Maryland's environment since moving here in 1983. Along the way, I've crewed aboard a skipjack in the bay, canoed under city streets up the Jones Fall from the Inner Harbor, and gone deep underground in a western Maryland coal mine. Recently, I have been covering the growth and development transforming the landscape. I love seafood, rambles in the country and good stories. I hope to share some here.
Comments
It's absurd to lump filling up a cup of water at a gas station, which as you point out is gross, with buying a re-usable water bottle or two, filling them at home (using a filter if desired), and keeping them in your car or office all day. The second option is somewhat more inconvenient than, buying bottled waters, but just as sanitary and much cheaper.
Posted by: Brad Boban | November 5, 2007 1:26 PM
Your article is very timely. Here is our press release from 11/3 regarding a new product that will be talked about everywhere, thanks.
FINALLY – an answer to the environmental issues of PET water bottles. Cities across the country are looking at banning traditional water bottles due to the impact on the environment.
Park City Ice Water is proud to announce a nationwide introduction of the most exciting beverage product ever! We are at a time when the bottled water industry has been criticized for its impact on the environment and global warming. The country is begging for bottled water that is pure and has a packaging that produces a smaller impact on our environment.
Kids have grown up drinking juice pouches in a bag, and this bottled water is similar, but with all the bonuses of social responsibility. And everyone that has tried Park City Ice Water absolutely loves it and the timing is perfect for this type of unique packaging.
Park City Ice Water has less impact on the environment than traditional PET packaging. The patented GlacierPak requires 75% less energy to produce, and is recyclable. Reports show that 77% of all PET water bottles end up in landfills, and if our packaging gets disposed of, it occupies 96% less landfill space.
And this nylon/plastic package breaks down in the landfill in 5 years, compared to the estimated 1,000 years for a plastic PET bottle! The key angle is that this packaging creates less pollution, reduces waste and protects our increasingly fragile ecosystem. Many people are very sensitive to “earth friendly” products and the press has been relentless at reporting the negatives in the industry. This product answers those calls.
In addition to the great packaging, inside is REAL Artesian Drinking Water from Pure Glacier Ice. Park City Ice Water originates from a trapped glacier more than 2000 feet below the rugged Uinta Mountains in Northern Utah. This incredible isolated water source has been shielded and protected from modern man for centuries. As you have probably heard, a lot of people are upset to find out that a lot of bottled water is merely tap water that has been filtered. This is pure water and has not been exposed to pesticides and contaminants that ground water is exposed to. This company is one of the only companies that are allowed by the federal government to put the word Artesian on their label, with full EPA testing. And this water is produced in the U.S.A.
Nearly all companies transport water in tanker trucks or use municipal water supplies. Park City Ice Water is extracted at a cold 41 degrees and flows in a closed system directly into the plant unexposed to outside elements. That is why the label reflects, “Bottled at Source”. This remarkably fresh water is then bottled using state-of-the-art equipment to effectively control all possible sources of contamination.
Park City Ice Water has a 7.9 pH. Plus this type of package has freeze/thaw capabilities. You can freeze this water in the ice chest and avoid buying ice. Then you have cold ice water as it melts. The patented no-spill top does not leak if you set the package on its side. They are flexible and can fit easily in a gym bag for workouts, or in a pocket by bikers, golfers, etc.
A school district has started offering Park City Ice Water in the lunch program to give students a choice instead of sugary drinks, and distributors are starting to stock stores nationwide. Please contact Murray Anderson at parkcityicewater@cox.net or (316) 288-0002 for more information. www.earthfriendlyicewater.com
MEDIA: Please email Murray and request sample package.
Posted by: Murray Anderson | November 5, 2007 4:08 PM
I agree with the Polaris Institute, people need to actually investigate the issue and not take it lightly. Do the research and then make an informed decision.
Posted by: Jaason | November 5, 2007 5:20 PM
I don't believe that bottled water should be banned, but its irresponsible overuse needs to be curbed. Americans are clearly better off drinking bottled water than drinking soda, and having the option to drink water is a good thing. However, I think that is a separate issue from where the true problem lies: allowing the convenience of bottled water to excuse laziness. There is no reason to bulk purchase bottled water at Costco for home (or office) consumption. There is no reason to pack a lunch with bottled water rather than a re-usable bottle of tap water. There is no reason for offices to purchase 5 gallon containers of water when they could fill the water coolers with tap water.
I also believe that we should be looking into alternative containers. How about aluminum, or another material that is easily recycled?
Posted by: TML | November 6, 2007 4:29 PM