(by 6 people)
My Opinion
Bottled Water: Should It Be Banned?
I have mixed views on this subject.
As a bleeding heart liberal I don't believe in the banning of anything. I believe that through education you can persuade most people to do the right thing.
However, I also believe that most people don't give a damn about the earth or what type of a legacy we will be leaving for future generations.
So I've got mixed feelings and I want to know how you feel about this major issue.
You should know that our family no longer purchases bottled water (except when there are no other choices or when it makes sense) and have taken other steps to reduce, reuse and recycle when ever possible.
Contents at a Glance
- So How Do You Feel About This Issue?
- Artist Chris Jordan's Visual Depiction of Why the 3 R's Are Important
- A Few Facts About Plastic Water Bottles
So How Do You Feel About This Issue?
You don't need to be a Squidoo member to take part in this discussion. So fire away!
Should Single Use Plastic Water Bottles Be Banned?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byYes
aj2008 says:
YES, YES, YES. But I would go a lot further and ban all plastic containers. Turtles and many other sea creatures and wildlife that are harmed by all this rubbish being dumped in the sea and on land will thank us for it.
Posted August 26, 2008
TeaLady says:
I'm leaning toward the "banning plastic bottles of all kinds" side. I cover this subject in my "Drinking Water" Lens. More and more evidence points to the health hazards of using plastics for food and drinks. And then there's the environment!
Here's one quote from my lens:
"Bottled water is a great convenience, especially since water is a healthier option than soda or lattes. But the bottling process uses enormous amounts of water and oil to produce the actual bottles and there is a tremendous carbon impact caused by shipping water around the world. Plus, we pay far more for bottled water." ~~Sundance Channel
Posted June 02, 2008
RinchenChodron says:
Thank you for this lens. Once we become conscious perhaps we can change things. Remember when MacDs used to use styrofoam take out containers for their burgers? Now you never see one.
Posted May 29, 2008
Jason G says:
They pollute way to much, and we get water out of our tap...
Posted May 28, 2008
mulberry says:
Don't believe that it should be banned, but certainly people have better options and should be educated regarding this.
Posted May 26, 2008
No
randomodnar says:
banning it is too far still because so many people rely on water bottles for a quick grab-and-go drink.
Posted November 01, 2008
nai098 says:
if people learned more about recycling and use water bottles less (not totally), it would make a difference itself.
Posted November 01, 2008
DaveJales says:
There is no way it should be banned - what about those of us that have fluoridated tap water? The propaganda we have been fed about fluoride being "good for our teeth" is unbelievable.. The Nazi's used it in the concentration camps to dull the minds of the prisoners to make them more compliant.
Posted July 09, 2008
spirituality says:
Banning would go too far for me. But it should become normal for people to refill the bottles with filtered or tap water (depending on the local water quality).
Posted June 17, 2008
danielle says:
Each bottle of water that is thrown away with the cap in place (you know who you are!) - traps the water left, removing that precious resource from circulation. It is personal responsibility.
I purchased a bottle of Voss water 3 months ago and have been reusing the empty since. I fill it up, put it in the fridge - and carry it with me.
Posted May 31, 2008
kab says:
I do not normally buy bottled water myself. However there have been times when I did, so I would not want it to be banned. Bottled water is needed when running water is not available - outdoor concerts, flea markets, festivals, etc. I do however think that water bottles need to have the same deposit as soda bottles (which I think should be more than 5 cents). I think that very few water bottles are recycled compared to soda bottles.
Posted May 26, 2008
Artist Chris Jordan's Visual Depiction of Why the 3 R's Are Important
We all hear that we should Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. We then are given a bunch of facts that we can't quite wrap our minds around.Artist Chris Jordan has beautifully translated the numbing numbers into works of art.
I also like the fact that he is not creating this art to fill his bank account. The art pieces are not for sale but as a reminder to us to do our part.
"This project visually examines these vast and bizarre measures of our society, in large intricately detailed prints assembled from thousands of smaller photographs. Employing themes such as the near versus the far, and the one versus the many, I hope to raise some questions about the role of the individual in a society that is increasingly enormous, incomprehensible, and overwhelming."
~chris jordan, Seattle, 2007
Chris Jordan's Artwork
A Few Facts About Plastic Water Bottles
~ The Pacific Institute estimates that producing the bottles for American consumption in 2006 required the equivalent of more than 17 million barrels of oil.~ The manufacture of every ton of PET produces around 3 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2). Bottling water thus created more than 2.5 million tons of CO2 in 2006.
~ 250g of CO2 are released for each bottle of FIJI Water imported to the United States. This includes 93g for manufacturing a bottle in China, 4g for transporting an empty bottle to Fiji, and 153g for shipping a full bottle to the United States.
~ It also takes water to make a bottle. If a container holds 1 litre it requires 3 to 5 litres of water in its manufacturing process (the higher estimate includes power plant cooling water). By one estimate the total amount of water used to produce and deliver one bottle of imported water is even 6.74 l.
~ Though the materials used for water bottles are generally recyclable, around 80% of bottled water bottles sold in the U.S. end up in landfills; only 20% are recycled. Worldwide, recycling rates are even lower: up to 90% of bottles are not recycled.
~ Many bottled water companies also add sulfites to their water in order to enhance the flavor, claiming that the water tastes fresher. This can be a problem for anybody who has a Sulfite Allergy. Whether or not you know if you have a sulfite allergy, allergic reactions you have might be caused by the bottled water you drink.
Read More at Wikipedia
My Favorite Sites For Information About Water Quality and Single Use Bottled Water
If you agree, add links (proof!) that help me make my case
Environmental Protection Agency - Local Drinking Water Information
Get information from the EPA on the facts about yo more...0 points
EPA Ground Water & Drinking Water
Drinking water standards and explanations and also more...0 points
Bottled Water - Corporate Water Privatization - Sierra Club
See startling facts and figures of what bottled wa more...0 points
Sierra Club Free PDF Report
Quick and short report with facts about water qual more...0 points
Message in a Bottle | Fast Company
Good in-depth article that is several pages long.
more...0 points
I Don't Believe That Plastic Water Bottles Should Be Banned
Here are a few links to prove why
Ok, it's time for you to add some links to show why single use plastic water bottles should not be banned.
http://www.bottledwater.org/
Information from the International Bottled Water A more...0 points
Videos To Help Prove The Point That Single Use Water Bottles Should be Banned
The Truth About Bottled Water
Notebook: Bottled Water
Water: $16 Billion Waste of Money
Bottled water is bad for the environment.
Bottled Water: Killing The Planet
Can't Live Without Toting Around Water?
Instead of single use plastic bottled water, why not save the earth and money by using eco-friendly, family-friendly, kid-friendly, reusable water bottles?Sigg Water Bottles It's our family's choice!
If you don't like your tap water, purchase a water filter or dispenser, such as Brita or Pur. The cost is much lower than bottled water.
Tap water costs approximately .0015 per gallon
Home filtered water .13 per gallon
Bottled water $1.27 per gallon
This cost comparison was made before the price of gas had spiked. Your savings of filtered water over bottled water increases with each gas price hike as the cost to ship the bottled water to the store increases.
News Articles Discussing Single Use Plastic Water Bottles
- Where Will We Get Water If Not In Bottles?
- But like the six-dollar coffee beverage before it, the two-dollar water bottle seems to be going the way of all flesh, another victim of the changing ...
- Toronto votes for plastic bag fee, banning the water bottle
- -A ban on the sale of plastic water bottles at civic centres, effective immediately, and on all municipal premises from city hall to golf courses by 2011. ...
- Mike Adams Talks About the Dangers and Myths About Plastic Water ...
- In this excerpt, Mike Adams puts the dangers and myths surrounding plastic water bottles into perspective and offers helpful tips on selecting water filters ...
- Nestle water ads misleading: Canada green groups
- The groups also allege the ad -- which said "most water bottles avoid landfill sites and are recycled"; "bottled water is the most environmentally ...
Harmful Chemicals?
Do single use plastic water bottles actually leach harmful chemicals into our water?The better questions is: Are you willing to take the chance?
