Why do we drink bottled water? For most of us, the answer would be that it tastes better, or it is safer than tap water. But, this isn’t the reality. In fact, through advertisements, this is what the manufacturers have made us believe. The reality is quite the opposite.
Because of the safe drinking act, which was introduced in 1974, almost 90% of all Americans have access to drinking water, which is safe by any standards. And as far as taste is concerned, tap water isn’t that bad. Though water is almost tasteless, but still in a blind test, where people were offered both tap water and bottled water, they preferred tap water.
Why should we stop drinking bottled water?
While there is no specific reason why we should drink bottled water, there are many reasons why we shouldn’t drink bottled water. Let’s take a look at some of them.
- Compared to tap water, the bottled water is 2000 times more expensive.
- For producing 10 bottles of bottled water, fuel equivalent to one bottle of oil is used.
- In America alone, 18.8 billion bottles go to landfills each year. Only 30% of them are recycled, and they take 1000 years to decompose.
- Plastic bottles release toxic chemicals into the ground, which gives rise to both soil and water pollution.
- 22,000 tons of plastic ends up in ocean every year, by 2050 there would more plastic in the ocean than fish.
These are just a few facts, this isn’t the whole picture. Bottled water industry is existing not because of our needs, but because of our insecurities. By not opting for bottled water, you are simply saving your money and your environment. In US alone, we consume 11.7 billion gallons of bottled water each year, and no one except the manufacturers are benefited by it. Therefore, if you are against capitalism, and if you want to preserve your environment, stop using bottled water. Don’t worry, you are not alone, 85 universities and colleges have already joined the movement, and in San Francisco selling water bottles below the capacity of 21 Fl OZ is illegal.
Come on, let’s not wait, let’s join them, and let’s ban plastic water bottles. Here is an infographic that details the perils of bottled water:
Article Submitted By Community Writer
