Bottled Water Students Promoting Environmental Awareness and Responsibility February 16, 2009

The Bottled Water Craze Is Upon Us! Why do people ♥ bottled water?

Taste, Color, and Odor Varies based on minerals present Tap water varies greatly by region and season Bottled water flavor can be affected by type of plastic Temperature affects taste – Taste is less noticeable in ice-cold water than warm water

Quality and Safety Regulated by FDA and EPA – Specific guidelines for testing and maximum amounts of minerals/contaminants Tap water often has stricter standards than bottled water Taste, odor, and color don’t always indicate if water is healthy or not – Sulfur affects smell and taste but is safe – Some harmful contaminants have no color, taste, or odor

What Is Bottled Water, Anyway?

Source of Bottled Water 25%-30% of US bottled water are “bottled tap water” – e.g. Dasani, Aquafina Labels must include “from a municipal source” or “from a community water system” if tap water is not further treated – Some simple, ineffectual treatments eliminate the labeling requirement

Economic Impact US bottled water consumption (2005) – 30 gal / person / year – $15 billion / year – Prices: $1 to $180 per gallon

Environmental Impact Plastic water bottles are made from – PET (polyethylene terephthalate; ) Derived from crude oil – HDPE (high-density polyethylene; ) Milk containers – Polycarbonate (part of ) Nalgene bottles Eyeglasses

PET 2,713,000 tons sold in 2006 Less than 1/3 of 1% of total US waste (IBWA; no references) About 76% is not recycled

HDPE 1,755,000 tons sold in 2006 About 73% is not recycled

Sustainability Efforts US: container deposit legislation (“bottle bill”) – About 30% of US population affected (2004 Census) Campaigns – UNICEF’s Tap Project – Think Outside the Bottle – Inside the Bottle

Sources 1.Larson J. Bottled water boycotts: back-to-the-tap movement gains momentum. Earth Policy Institute Available at: [Accessed February 14, 2009]. 2.Napier GL, Kodner CM. Health Risks and Benefits of Bottled Water. Primary Care: Clinics in Office Practice. 2008;35(4): Olsen E. Bottled water: pure drink or pure hype? Natural Resources Defense Council Available at: [Accessed February 14, 2009]. 4.Wikipedia contributors. Container-deposit legislation. In: Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation; Available at: deposit_legislation&oldid= [Accessed February 16, 2009].