If you read some of my posts, you know I care about the environment around me and the world. Sadly, it feels that every time I do an environmental post, the topic of plastic comes up. I worry that if we keep not caring and act on the issue, we are the ones who will have to pay the price. If you step back and think about it, we eat and breathe from the environment, whether it’s fish, meat or vegetables, since it’s a living cycle.
It’s time to talk about bottled water, leaving out the water source for the time being. It all began around the 1700s, from a company in America called Jackson’s Spa in Boston. The idea came around when people would go to the natural springs to drink the water. So they started to put it in bottles so the guests could take it with them home. The first bottles were made of glass.
The first ones in plastic were invented in the 1960s. However, around 1973, they changed materials, and polyethene terephthalate (PET) was created. This is why now they could package carbonated drinks in plastic.
Facts about bottled water:
- Bottled water is now more popular than soda
- Soda companies are the biggest producers of bottled water
- The global bottled water market is worth around $300 billion
- A million plastic bottles are bought around the world every minute
- Weekly sales in America alone could orbit the planet
- Sales will reach half a trillion by 2021
- Bottled water is 300 times more expensive than tap
- Many bottled water comes from the tap
- Most of us can’t tell the difference
- Fewer than half the bottles bought in 2016 were recycled
- Most plastic bottles aren’t made from recycled plastic
- It takes 450 years for plastic bottles to decompose
- A third of the world’s sea turtles have consumed plastic
- Every year 17 million barrels of oil are used in the production
- Imported brands take even more energy to produce
- PET plastic increases our carbon emissions
- 785 million people don’t have access to clean water
- San Francisco was the first US city to restrict sales
- Water bottles are now being banned from colleges
As you read, it affects more than the environment because it affects us. For more information, you can check the source below.
Alex
Mybookworld24 
So sad really. While it has its place, for travel or transport, bottled water is way over used. I know in the schools here they put in reusable bottle refill stations. It’s a start but there’s so much to be done.
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I hope you liked the post 🙂
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Yes. I did. It’s very eye opening. The numbers are staggering, aren’t they? I’m glad you wrote it and are bringing awareness to the problem. Great job.
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Thanks
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You’re very welcome.
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Great post. The facts are staggering. I am going to share this to Facebook so some people I know who buy water can read it.
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Thanks
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I’ve always learned to carry my own water bottle everywhere I go. Even on longer bus and train journeys, my family carries a water carrier. It’s saves money as well as environment.
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We like reuseable bottles but at times you don’t get a choice
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That’s also true.
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Yes, sadly
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Unfortunately many municipalities put agents into the water, while meant to keep it sterile, often leaves a very foul taste to consume, forcing locals to have to go to the store to purchase their potable water in anything from disposal water bottles, to those big patented water machines that lock you into their water containers, which you can’t just buy anywhere but usually only at a few retail locations. There are two towns in my area where I refuse to purchase coffee or any drinks made on tap because the water just tastes that bad!
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You research well Alex……but it’s ‘cool’ drinking from the bottle….taps are for plebs … (you know how to take me)
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Sadly, I can’t drink tap water, here the water is very rocky and my liver can’t handle it
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Bottled water does have its uses. Refillable makes more sense. Steel. Glass. You may not remember when milk came in glass bottles. Rattle rattle…..
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