Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Bottled water - pure drink or pure hype?


Bottled water - pure drink or pure hype?   
 
I don't consider my self to be the greenest of greenies but I'll do what I can where I can and on the waterfront my biggest bug bare has been bottled water. Not so much the water (though the article below would suggest I should) itself but the plastic containers it comes in. So it was with in mind that I recently purchased a 1l. stainless steel water container that I take everywhere with me and refill whenever I can.
Apart from saving anywhere between 20 and 30 dollars a week I'm now not contributing any extra plastic to land fill or energy  intensive recycling programs.


I also figure I'm preaching to the already converted here but just in case your not then here is some argument for giving up bottled water supplied from the Warm Earth magazine e-newsletter (www.warmearth.com.au) SNIPS & TIPS - OCTOBER 2010 


Despite research showing that bottled water is no better than tap water, Australians spend more than half a billion dollars a year on the bottled product. Producing and delivering a litre of bottled water emits hundreds of times more greenhouse gases than a litre of tap water. Australia's annual use of bottled water produces more than 60,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions - the same amount that 13,000 cars generate over the course of a year. For many brands, a litre of bottled water costs more than a litre of petrol.


The Department of Environment and Climate Change estimates that 200 ml of oil is used to produce, package, transport and refrigerate each 1 litre bottle, so it's like filling a fifth of every bottle with oil. It also takes water to make water. Treehugger.com estimates that bottled water uses 6 times the amount of water actually in the bottle to produce it! Australia recycles only 36% of PET plastic drink bottles and even if bottled water is recycled, it uses a huge amount of water and energy in the process. So, what can we do instead? If you're concerned about the quality of your tap water, invest a little bit of money in a water filter for your home. You can then use one bottle and keep filling it up and re-using it. This is a very eco friendly practice that can help curb the amount of damage being done to our earth as a result of bottled water.

Also if your not too keen on the taste of your town tap water supply then there is a myriad of water filters available and more than affordable with the money you save from not buying bottled water.

So far I have managed to give up my car, take-a-way coffee in paper/plastic cups and now Bottled water. If I can do it anyone with half a will can.

Cheers

Stewart

10 comments:

Cwm Goch Chronicles said...

I stopped drinking the string a lecture by stuff permanently last year after hearing a lecture by Peter Singer on the pyshology of giving. (you might find something on the net about it if you looked). He queried how we could possibly find every excuse to not give aid to people who were starving on the planet, yet spend $2 regularly on water (in a country where our tap water is potable). Talk about waster. Refill the bottle of you MUST carry it a fashion accessory.
We have metal bottles like yours, and they're great!

Kelly said...

next up...plastic bags!!! lol onya!

Anonymous said...

I like the idea of the stainless steel bottle. Am also not a fan of bottled water. Fortunately, there are still a lot of drinking taps around here in Brisvegas so haven't had to spring for the stainless bottle yet.

Carrying those bottles does make a person look very adventurous and outdoorsy though :) Always makes me think someone is a climber or hiker or something similarly exciting. Perhaps I might have to join you with a stainless steel bottle accessory after-all *grins*

Am loving your blog Stewart

My Veggie Garden said...

Thanks,Cwm Goch Chronicles

Kelly, yes, I'm a gonna hav'ta get me some.

Thanks Herby, it's been nice to have you drop by.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the tips! Maybe I'll come back to read more comments here.
Please allow me to be spontaneous and post random stuff and quotes. I mean no harm.
I don't have a website yet, but I'm planning on starting a blog like yours, any tips?
How do people blog on other people's blogs? Can I guest post on your site, I have lots of interesting articles.

Get the facts first - you can distort them later!

Anonymous said...

Hello there. I'm wondering if you may be interested in doing a website link swap? I notice your blog: http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7677496750939268931&postID=6524000753761834694 and my website are structured around the same topic. I'd love
to swap links or perhaps guest author a write-up for you. Here is my personal contact:
kate-mercado@gmail.com. You should contact me if you're even slightly interested. Thanks for your time.

My web site: Carrollton furnace repair tips

Anonymous said...

There is certainly a lot to find out about this topic.

I love all of the points you made.

My page ... Diets that work
My web site :: diets that work fast for women

Anonymous said...

Thanks for your marvelous posting! I quite enjoyed
reading it, you happen to be a great author.I will make certain
to bookmark your blog and may come back at some point.
I want to encourage you continue your great work, have a nice weekend!


Also visit my site: 64 gb compactflash memory card

Anonymous said...

Hey there! I was interested to know if setting up a blog
such your own: http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7677496750939268931&postID=6524000753761834694 is difficult
to do for unskilled people? I've been hoping to develop my own blog for a while now but have been turned off mainly because I've always believed it
demanded tons of work. What do you think? Kudos

my web site - http://www.lagbook.com/blogs/item/basic-abcs-of-the-xbox-360-wireless-memory-card

Anonymous said...

My partner and I absolutely love your blog and
find most of your post's to be precisely what I'm
looking for. Do you offer guest writers to write content for
you? I wouldn't mind creating a post or elaborating on many of the subjects you write about here. Again, awesome web log!

Also visit my web-site ... home repair Assistance for seniors in texas