Bottled Water Facts

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There was a time, not so long ago, that the concept of bottled water was relegated to the world of survivalists or emergency services.

Over the past twenty years Americans have experienced a beverage consumption cultural shift. Where once beverage consumption was considered an orderly part of the day, recess for those of school age, a coffee break for the working class, today beverage consumption is considered a day long activity.

Beverage cup holders now come as standard fare in our cars and trucks. Coffee shops now sit on untold street corners and parking lots. Extra large soft drinks are peddled as the breakfast, lunch and dinner of the ordinary folk. Bottled water has become the beverage of choice for the health conscious sector of society.

A debate is brewing regarding the pros and cons of our new found bottled water habit. Consider the following facts.

Fact: According to the latest statistics from the International Bottled Water Association, in 1997 Americans on average consumed 13.5 gallons of bottled water. By 2007, that figure more than doubled to 29.3 gallons consumed per person.

Fact: Next to soft drinks, known in the trade as carbonated soft drinks (CSDs), bottled water is American's favorite beverage.

Fact: According to the Container Recycling Institute, "Americans buy an estimated 28 billion single-serving (1 liter or less) plastic water bottles each year. More than eight out of ten end up in a landfill or incinerator."

Fact: The Pacific Institute estimates that, "Producing the bottles for American consumption required the equivalent of more than 17 million barrels of oil, not including the energy for transportation."

While the increased health consciousness of the American water drinking public deserves applause, it's time to merge that health consciousness with a renewed environmental consciousness.

© 2009. Patricia A. Michaels