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The Environmental Impact of Bottled Water

by Pranav Gaba | 20-02-2023 02:46 recommendations 0

[JANUARY FREE REPORT]


Bottled water has become a popular choice for many people, with many believing that it is a healthier and more convenient option than tap water. However, this convenience comes with a cost to the environment, as the production and disposal of bottled water can cause significant damage. In this article, we will be exploring the environmental impact of bottled water and what can be done to mitigate it. 


Production and Transportation of Bottled Water

The production of bottled water involves a large number of inputs, such as energy and water, as well as generating plastic waste. According to the World Wildlife Fund, ¡°it takes 3 liters of water to produce 1 liter of bottled water.¡± Additionally, in order to transport the bottled water to the consumers, the bottles must be shipped, which requires fuel to be burned, leading to greenhouse gas emissions.


Plastic Waste

Plastic is a major component of bottled water and its production and disposal generate high levels of plastic waste. According to the Guardian, ¡°an estimated 8.3 billion tonnes of plastic has been produced since the 1950s, with 79% of it ending up in landfill or the natural environment.¡± Moreover, about one million plastic bottles are sold every minute around the world, and many of them are not recycled.


Solutions

One of the most effective ways to reduce the environmental impact of bottled water is to reduce the production and consumption of bottled water. Consumers can opt for tap water instead, as it has been shown to be as safe and healthy as bottled water. Additionally, many companies have started to use recycled plastic in the production of bottled water, which reduces the amount of plastic waste generated. 


Finally, improving recycling infrastructure and education is key to reducing the environmental impact of bottled water. Governments should create incentives to promote recycling, and companies should provide consumers with information regarding how to properly dispose of the bottles. 


In conclusion, bottled water has an environmental impact due to the production and disposal of plastic bottles. Consumers should opt for tap water instead and governments and companies should take measures to reduce the environmental impact of bottled water.


References
1. ¡°Plastics: What Is the World Doing about It?.¡± WWF, World Wildlife Fund, www.worldwildlife.org/stories/plastics-what-is-the-world-doing-about-it.
 
January Free Report 2023

PranavGaba

  • India Youth Pranav Gaba
 
 
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4 Comments

Minkyung Mentor

  • Minkyung Mentor says :
    Hello, this is your mentor Minkyung.

    Thank you for sharing your knowledge of the environmental impact of bottled water. If you could include specific statistics related to the rate of plastic bottles being recycled, or how much impact they have on the environment, your report would be much richer in content.

    Keep up the work :)
    Posted 01-03-2023 22:32

  • Junghyun Mentor Yoon says :
    Hi, Pranav Gaba!
    This is your mentor, Yoon.

    Thank you for introducing the environmental impact of bottled water. However, unlike many people's beliefs, most plastic bottles for water are recycled these days. But you clearly pointed out the extra energy needed for the production and transportation of bottled water.

    Great job on writing the free report.
    I am looking forward to reading your following report!
    Posted 27-02-2023 13:55

Tuvimanyu  Gautam

  • Tuvimanyu Gautam says :
    Single-use plastic bottles land up in oceans and landfills. It makes one think whether going back to glass bottles, despite the hassles and environmental issues involved should be considered as stop-gap arrangement. I find the article thought provoking.
    Posted 22-02-2023 20:54

Yashaswi Hegde

  • Yashaswi Hegde says :
    8.3 billion tonnes is a lot of plastic! But I still feel tap water is not an option in many developing countries, including India. Probably in countries where tap water is clean, drinking water bottles can be eliminated completely.
    Posted 20-02-2023 18:44

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