This education and call-to-action initiative aims to address the challenge of plastic waste caused by bottled-water use. By re-connecting organizations with simple, existing, cost-effective solutions we aim to reduce drinking water cost while reducing plastic waste.
Let’s make DRINKING WATER healthier, cheaper and less wasteful.
OVERVIEW
As our hunger for convenience grows, the plastic trash that we end up producing to feed this convenience also only further grows. Bottled water is a classic example of this.
"In the last 20 years China has become the world’s No. 1 bottled water consumer; driven by safety concerns & convenience. This leads to approximately 1 Jinmao Tower worth of plastic waste in China alone each year. This is approx. 1 million tonnes of plastic material wasted as of 2012.”
A Report by China Water Risk
THE PROBLEM OF BOTTLED WATER
Here’s a few important facts to note about bottled water consumption.
- It takes nearly 3 bottles of water + ¼ bottle of oil to produce 1 bottle of water.
- Plastic waste generated by the bottled water industry = 1 Jinmao Tower per year
- Bottled does not necessarily mean better quality water
- Bottled water industry is not properly regulated
- Bottled water industry threatens China’s groundwater and Asia’s glacial watersheds
Whats worse, bottled water use is only further expected to grow if this image is anything to believe.
While the Chinese government is taking action to protect its water resources, reduce plastic waste and improve public drinking water service, contribution from individuals and businesses is essential to reduce waste caused by bottled water use.
THE SOLUTION
Believe it or not, the ‘solutions’ are already out there, and much simpler than one may imagine. But switching to one of the below options can be cheaper, less wasteful, and as healthy, if not, healthier:
- Reusable water containers
- Filters integrated with the kitchen / pantry sink
Replacing bottled water with filtered water or reusable water containers can reduce drinking water costs by upto 70%, while also drastically reducing single-use plastic waste.
FURTHER READS
REFERENCES
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Clasen, T. F., Thao, D. H., Boisson, S. & Shipin, O. (2008) Environ. Sci. Technol. 42. PureLiving http://www.purelivingchina.com/learning-center/water-quality/
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Tao, T. & Xin, K. (2014) Nature. ‘Public health: A sustainable plan for China's drinking water: http://www.nature.com/news/public-health-a-sustainable-plan-for-china-s-drinking-water-1.15619#/b5
