Bottled Water: Is It Really Better Than Tap?

Bottled water is easy-accessible and convenient, not to mention the taste, therefore it explains why bottled water is so popular in the United States. Due to the chemicals in our tap water today (aka Flint, Michigan!), we more than often choose to drink bottled water…which may not be as beneficial as we think…

Pollution is one major problem caused by the multiplying empty plastic bottles breezing in the air and ending up on the beach and in the ocean waters. Not to mention the fact that the manufacturing process of plastic water bottles itself releases tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere each year.  Plastic water bottles are also made from a petroleum product called polyethylene terephthalate aka “PET” and Bisphenol A aka “ BPA” which requires giant amounts of fossil fuels to make and transport.

In addition, besides the fact that the plastic from the water bottles themselves are harmful to the environment, the water itself can cause harm, too. For example, there are many companies that bottle water in California, a state that is known to often be in a drought.

Everyone has the power to make a difference! By purchasing less and less plastic water bottles, we as a group can limit the amount of plastic being tossed into landfills and down-cycled. Also, if fewer people are buying plastic water bottles, then less petroleum will be extracted from the ground to make new bottles. All of these benefits for our environment come from us as the consumers. The facts are horrifyingly negative, and bottled water in most circumstances doesn’t make sense the more you think about it. So the next time you want to quench your thirst, try water from your tap: the environment will thank you 🙂