Bottled Water vs. A Bottle of Water

Bottled water has become a luxury for America, where it is mostly safe to drink tap water, and perhaps it is a ridiculous luxury.  In other countries, sometimes bottled water is the only safe way to get your H2O.  Water is our life source, a necessity to live, but that doesn’t mean that we have to drink it out of a plastic bottle, according to a discussion on SocialYell.

These companies have a bad habit, trying to make a profit on their luxury, by greenwashing their simple product.  First, they claimed that their water was “special,” promoting it as water derived from healthy springs or other unique sources. About 20 percent of all bottled water has been proven to be tap water, just like what you can get out of your own faucet.  Now, bottled water is claiming to have eco-friendly packaging and is also touting the belief that national parks are making a profit on bottled water that is good for the maintenance of park land.  Whether or not this is true, considering national parks are maintained by the government, Friends of National Parks and the average consumer, bottled water is trying desperately to overstep their latest competitor: household water.

Plastic water bottles have a bad habit of taking at least 700 years to completely degrade and we throw thousands of them away weekly.  Some make the effort to recycle, but the harsh chemicals that result from melting down plastic bottles is still a deadly force that can attack our environment and lead to more greenhouse gases.  So, what is the better choice?  If you aren’t satisfied with the quality of your city water, there are ways to purify it to your standards.  Many companies like Brita offer water filters that fit on your faucet, or you can use a pitcher that has a filter and stick in the fridge to keep your water nice and cool at all times.  These are both convenient, safe and create little waste (just the filter) in the grand scheme of plastic trash.

The latest trend is the eco-friendly water bottle, made from steel, aluminum or even recycled plastic.  Much like green grocery bags made from recycled bottles or fabric, the concept is a simple one: buy one bottle and keep it forever.  I have enjoyed using my steel water bottle for two years now.  It requires frequent washing to keep mildew from building up, but if you can take the time to buy a bottle, you can take the time to fill it up every time you need a drink.  The type of plastic bottled water uses has been proven to weaken after opening and does not stand up to frequent use.  It even encourages a certain type of bacteria to build up if you reuse it.

How you take your water is your own choice, but I think you’ll find the best deal in your own faucet.  It’s a healthy choice all around, especially for the environment.

Have ideas, comments or questions for the Social Yell Blog?  Email me at Ashley@socialyell.com!  Also, follow us on Twitter: SocialYellBlog.

Ashley Strickland is a senior at the University of Georgia. She is a summer intern for SocialYell and blogs about health, social equity, consumer advocacy, charity, sustainability and just about anything green.