WEEK 2: WATER BOTTLE

AVOID disposable plastic water bottles. Drink TAP water and CARRY a reusable bottle. (If needed, filter at home)

Source: nyc.gov

Bottled water barely existed 30 years ago and people have survived without it for thousands of years. So why are we so convinced that we can’t be safe without it?

I. PROBLEM

(References from Plastic Free Book by Beth Terry)

Myth #1: Bottled water is “safer.”

It isn’t. Pollutants found in bottled water include byproducts of water treatment, fertilizers, drugs (acetaminophen, caffeine..hence the addiction), plastic production chemicals , bacterial contamination, arsenic and radioactive pollutants. More than 24,500 chemicals were found in it.

The contain endocrine disruptors. Bisphenol A (BPA) — strongly linked to certain types of cancer, reduced fertility in women, defects in newborn babies —etc. and Phthalates — reduced sperm count, testicular abnormality, etc.

Basically, we’re all screwed if we continue drinking it.

Myth #2: Bottled water “tastes better”.

Close your eyes and drink your water. Eventually they’ll taste the same.

Myth #3: Bottled water is “more convenient”

In the US alone, 63 billion gallons of oil is used for 34.6 billion single serving bottles every year.

Bottled water is more expensive; Extracting water from one place and shipping it to another disrupts the natural water cycle; Water extraction and bottle production is destroying communities (at the largest oil refinery for water bottle production at Fling Hills in Corpus Christi, Texas, the levels of cancer and birth defects are 84%). Recycling bottles takes place in developing countries like India under appalling and dangerous worker conditions. Basically, it is an inconvenience for everyone.

Myth #4: Bottled water “doesn’t compete” with tap water.

Bottled water is diverting money to companies such as Coca-Cola and Pepsi which causes lesser money to be spent on public water infrastructure.

EXCEPTIONS

In situations where there is no choice, it would be all right to consume bottled water (disaster relief, lack of water supply, polluted water, etc).

REFUSE IT otherwise.

II. SOLUTION

1. REFUSE bottled water

If your reusable bottle runs out of water,

1. In the US, always opt for tap water as it is more regulated than bottled water. Verify it by using this app.
2. In India, tap water is quite unsafe. But most restaurants/hotels have boiled or filtered water. Confirm if they do and opt for that instead.

Use bottled water when there is no choice.

2. BUY a Reusable Stainless Steel Bottle and REMEMBER to carry it.

No, I don’t do weights. But my bottle looks similar to them :D

Taking a bottle with you in your purse/bag can become a habit — just the way you comb your hair or tidy up before you leave the house. If you are in a hurry or if you find it too heavy, take an empty bottle and fill it later. Stick a label with your name and phone number on it if you’re afraid of losing it.

3. Filtration Systems

Six decades of industrial dumping, farming pollution, and water plant and distribution pipe deterioration have taken a toll on local water system everywhere. If tap water is unsafe, opt for home based filtration systems.

III. SOURCES TO BUY

Use a stainless steel bottle/mason jar if you have it and AVOID buying one.

USA

II. Bottles

Links: Klean Kanteen or Mason Jar+Cuppow.

II. Filteration

Links: Charcoal, Berkey, Soma, Brita, Pur [and Bobble :D]

India

IV. DISCUSSION:

1. DON’T reuse a disposable plastic bottle for drinking.

And do not keep them in your car as they get heated and the chemicals leach into the water faster. It’s just terrible for you.

2. DO remember to refill it everywhere you go.

3. DO recycle plastic water bottles

If you use a water bottle, ensure it’s recycled.

Find recycling kiosks!

V. FIN

Source: nyc.gov

K Bye,

Meghna