RepairClinic.com – Advice on Living Green

April 26, 2010

RepairClinic.com – Advice on Living Green

Drink Tap Water

Whether going for a walk or taking kids to soccer, many of us habitually reach for a plastic water bottle to take along. Our society seems to be addicted to the availability of a bottle filled with water at all times.  What cost is our environment paying for this convenience?

According to the Earth Policy Institute, transporting bottled water for long distances involves burning massive quantities of fossil fuels. Nearly a quarter of all bottled water is transported by boat, train, and truck. In fact, due mainly to packaging and transportation, it costs more to drink bottled water than to put gas in your car – up to five times more.

And this is not the only cost.

The Container Recycling Institute reports that eight out of ten plastic water bottles used in the US are not recycled.  They end up in landfills or as litter in parks and along roads. According to Sierra Club, about 66 million bottles are being disposed of every day!

What can you do?

• Stop buying bottled water.
• Use tap water instead – it is healthier and better regulated (local municipalities must comply with strict government standards from the EPA for water purity, while most water bottling companies are regulated by the FDA with  fewer restrictions.)
• Save money – water bottle companies are charging as much as 300 – 1000 times what that same water would cost if you just turned on your own faucet.
• Buy a filter – if worried about the purity of your tap water, a water filter will help. Most recently designed refrigerators already have a filter in their water and ice dispensers.

Every person makes a difference. It feels good to do one’s part.

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