I am passionate about the negative effects that bottled water in plastic containers
has on our environment. Bottled Water is a $22 Billion-a-year industry and comes in
about 700 different brands, and 40% starts as tap water. People believe bottled water is
better than tap water. The Worldwide Fund for Nature, the world’s largest environmental
organization, reported that Bottled Water may be no safer or healthier than tap water. In
many countries it sells for up to 1,000 times the price. They also report that Bottled Water
is harming the environment and wildlife. They report 1.5 million tons of plastic are used
each year to bottle water. That plastic requires up to 47 million gallons of oil each year to
produce. Toxic chemicals released during the manufacture and disposable of bottles
releases gases that contribute to climate change.
Even though the plastic used to bottle water is recyclable, over 80% are thrown in
the garbage and littered so, it ends up in the ocean. This causes a risk to marine life, and
kills birds and fish that mistake it for food. People feel like they can’t go anywhere or do
anything without taking bottled water with them. Every day I see people carrying bottled
water with them and I see empty bottles tossed on the sidewalks.
There is a simple alternative to bottled water: buy a Stainless Steel Thermos. Even if
people reused their plastic bottles and refilled them, it would be a great help to the
environment. People can also buy inexpensive Carbon Filters and filter tap water if they
don’t like the taste of tap water.
It takes up to 1,000 years for plastic to biodegrade, therefore I say, don’t buy bottled
water.
Byron Rowland
9/11/08
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