Effects of Plastic Water Bottles on our Environment

The invention of plastic has revolutionized our society as a whole. Various grades of plastic can accomplish a multitude of needs for the consumer of today.  Plastic contributes to many different industries such as  Water Filtration, safety, transportation, security; electronics and construction just to name a few. Most times, plastics are seldom ever used by themselves alone. They are mixed with “additives” to enhance performance and reinforce the material. Additives also include UV stabilizers for protection against the sun’s rays, colorants, and others for flexibility and pliability.

Plastic Water bottles

With the invention of plastic and its refinements, we now package purified drinking water into plastic water bottles and sell it all over the world. Plastic water bottles have proved to be both a blessing and a curse. The blessing is that it can provide safe drinking water to very remote regions of the world that have little to no fresh drinking water and can be convenient for storage purposes. The main concerning issue with plastic water bottles is litter and its inability to break down as well as not being very bio degradable. With environmental awareness around the globe, plastic water bottles can be detrimental to polluting the environment, filling up our landfills and polluting the waterways and oceans that many strive so hard to protect.

Plastic Bottled Water

Bottled water is really a surprise industry that has proven itself to be a billion dollar industry. No one ever thought that consumers would ever pay money to consume drinking water from a bottle. Much to the chagrin of naysayers, many people do because they do not trust the city treated water coming from their kitchen faucets. Government regulations require all cities that treat raw water and supply customers with drinkable water must follow strict guidelines laid out by the Environmental Protection Agency. Many feel since they can’t trust the government, the water most cities provide isn’t quite up to drinkable standards. There are many reasons for this;

1. Old plumbing lines in the home. (a home built in the 1920s that used lead and iron pipes)
2. Older city water supply lines throughout the city that have yet to be updated.
3. Work on the city main supply lines. (Repair work, breaks, new construction, etc.)
4.  Mistrust of government/city employees.
5. Some are just content with their city treated water.

Landfills and Waste

What many do not realize about plastic bottled water is that it’s more than just garbage when empty. There are many who are increasingly aware of the importance of recycling and these are where the bottles should go, but there are many who do not recycle. These empty plastic water bottles are tossed into their garbage cans to be carried off the local landfill. Sometimes the bottles can blow out the back of the truck on the way to the city landfill and can add to the problem of litter and pollution. Others really have no concern about the environment and will just throw out a bottle anywhere they see fit and not hesitate to care about the environment or litter. This waste can be a major problem because it causes unsightly litter and destroys an otherwise beautiful landscape. Have you ever walked through a state park and found where people where having a picnic and left all their trash/litter lying around? It ruins the eco tour experience for you and others who care for the environment.

A Solution/Alternative to Litter

Although bottled water has a time and place in our society, we do not have to be dependent on it for every need. Instead of filling up the recycling bins as well as the landfill with plastic water bottles and non-biodegradable materials, we can make a smart choice to filter our city treated water by filling up a water cooler and transport filtered water wherever we go. Most people are sure to remember to pick up their water jugs, thermos or cooler whenever they leave which helps tremendously in the battle against litter.