Convenience: lets face facts, plastic water bottles are by far the most convenient beverage to grab either on your way to work, school or sport game—at least in my household. Even though I am a tap water monster when I am at home, water bottles always seem to find their way into my weekly routine.
Not many people think about where the water comes from or how much of a negative impact plastic bottles have on our environment. But I will be the first to admit that I do know where all of this water comes from and how badly our planet is effected, this is the number one reason why I chose to terminate the use of all non-reusable plastic water bottles from my routine.
By simply buying a “Klean Kanteen” or in other words a stainless steel water bottle I can keep my tap water monster persona at home and at school. This means clean water all day long—with the exception of an occasional refill.
According to Chris Baskind the estimated annual amount of sales lay between 50-100 billion dollars yearly at a 7% overall rate. This means, undoubtedly, that our community is spending their earnings to buy bottled water, in fact the same water that flows out the magical faucets that run in our homes. Not only are we spending our hard earned money in un-necessary areas, but we are essentially spending it only to pollute our already vulnerable environment. These plastic bottles have no other option other then to become recycled; though recycling has yet to become the final destination of these water bottles and many other recyclable materials. In the same article, I read that 80% of plastic water bottles are thrown away, in other words—litter, which makes up approximately 1.5 billion tons of waste each year.
There are many alterative ways to terminate the use of plastic water bottles. Families such as my own have invested in a Brita filter. This allows us to have cold water on a daily basis, by filling the top container with tap water, allowing it to trickle down the filter into the main water jug area. You can then place this handy jug into a fridge where it can cool so your water is the right temperature. You can always refill this device provided that you also replace the filter, which conveniently is only in need of replacement every so often. Another alternative in reducing the use of plastic bottles is to invest in a carbon filter. That device fits nicely on your faucet, allowing you to have purified water straight from the facet into your glass or Klean Kanteen.
I also included a video clip, which explains the bottled water production, and how much money is actually being spent on bottled water. Stephanie Soechtig is the lead environmentalist who is being interview to bring bottled water awareness. She gives a detailed explanation on the amount of money spent on bottled water—essentially tapped water. Stephanie also shows a truck (exemplar model) that is designed to collect plastic bottles, to notify the public on how much plastic water bottles are actually consumed. The impact on the environment is one of the most important points that she provides. While she voyages on these plastic collecting expeditions, she also hands out stainless steel bottles, also known as “Klean Kanteens” in order to inspire the public to drink tap water instead of bottled water.
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| Klean Kanteen. 9 Nov. 2010. Personal photograph by author Trina W. |
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| Personal photograph by author Trina W. |
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