Thirsty?
Bet you're about to grab for a plastic bottle of water. We've all got 'em - they are convenient and often a cheap way to get high-quality spring water.
Bottled water comes in a few varieties (flavors?). From bottled spring water to mineral water, each type has its own impact on the environment (and we're not even mentioning the wasteful plastic bottles).
But think again. Not only is your favorite brand packaging their water in plastic (duh, we all know that is a major cause of environmental harm and climate change), where these companies source their water matters. A lot.
How is bottled water bad for the environment?
Bottled spring water is the most common form of bottled drinking water today.
Spring water can be found naturally underground in areas such as mountains, which is why they often contain minerals that you would not find elsewhere. Some people drink mineral water because it has health benefits but there is no scientific evidence for these claims. The main problem with this type of water comes from bottling plants, which use large amounts of electricity and generate large quantities of waste gas (carbon dioxide). When taken home, the bottles need to be disposed off correctly according to environmental legislation. Bottles made out of plastic do not decompose easily and therefore end up being used over and over again, causing an ever increasing amount of landfill sites around the world. Also when transported by plane or car, they create even more carbon emissions than if they were consumed locally.
Still bottled water includes any bottled beverage other than spring water. It may also include "mineral" water, which is just bottled tap water after all! For example still bottled wine contains sugar syrup, artificial flavors, colorings etc., while sports drinks usually only contain flavor enhancers like sucralose. They might claim their products help athletes recover better or make exercise easier. Unfortunately, these companies don\'t provide any real proof that this actually happens. Most still bottled water doesn't taste much better than ordinary tap water either, so where did the extra money go?
There a few other ways that bottled water harms the environment:
- Plastic waste: Plastic water bottles are a significant source of plastic waste. Most plastic bottles are not biodegradable and can take hundreds of years to decompose. If not disposed of properly, they can end up in landfills, oceans, and other natural habitats, harming wildlife and polluting the environment.
- Energy consumption: The production and transportation of plastic water bottles require significant amounts of energy, which contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.
- Resource depletion: The production of plastic water bottles requires a significant amount of water and other resources, contributing to resource depletion.
- Chemical pollution: Plastic bottles can release harmful chemicals such as bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates into the environment, contaminating water sources and posing a health risk to humans and animals.
- Microplastic pollution: Over time, plastic bottles can break down into smaller pieces, known as microplastics, which can end up in waterways and oceans, harming aquatic life and ecosystems.
What are the best alternatives to bottled water?
To reduce the negative impact of plastic water bottles on the environment, you can consider switching to more eco-friendly alternatives such as:
- Reusable water bottles: Reusable water bottles made of materials such as stainless steel, glass, or durable plastic can be refilled and reused multiple times, reducing the need for single-use plastic bottles.
- Refill stations: Many cities and public spaces now offer refill stations, allowing people to fill up their reusable water bottles with clean, fresh water.
- Tap water: In many developed countries, tap water is safe to drink and often free or inexpensive, making it a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to bottled water.
