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Bottled Water Sucks

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Bottled Water Sucks
Description

I knew bottled water was a social ill but I didn't know how damaging it was until I saw an explosive and compelling new documentary called Tapped .

With style, verve and righteous anger, the film exposes the bottled water industry's role in suckering the public, harming our health, accelerating climate change, contributing to overall pollution, and increasing America's dependence on fossil fuels. All while gouging consumers with exorbitant and indefensible prices.

Claire Thompson summed up the problem well in her post on the movie at Grist :

"Not only is it [bottled water] a clear waste of resources (only 20 percent of plastic water bottles used in the United States are recycled, and far too many of the ...

Original URL
http://www.thenation.com/blogs/actnow/459516/bottled_water_sucks

Comments

  • Public Comments

    • S. Charles Balazs S. Charles Balazs
      4 months ago


      This film is nonsense. Yes, bottling and bottles are wasteful, but there are places where it's the only alternative to tap water, or is the only healthy alternative to unhealthy soft drinks. There are other ways we can offset the wastefulness of bottling and bottles, for example, re-instituting mandatory recycling.

    • cinboo
      4 months ago


      When and where was recylcing mandatory?

    • Russell
      4 months ago


      There are certainly situations where bottled water is currently a justifiable, if not necessary, option. I think the film is simply rejecting the common marketing BS that bottled water is 'purer' and therefore superior to other, probably inexpensive, sources. The problem with recycling is that it is not economically viable in many areas, e.g. recyclers can't make money selling scrap to bottlers - ready to pay more taxes or try cap and trade? Additionally, transporting the used bottles of course releases GHG. It seems that if you can use your own container, which doesn't leach plasticizer, then you're reducing pollution, potentially saving money, and mitigating health risk.

    • Paula Barnett
      4 months ago


      BOTTLE DEPOSITS ?

    • tj dreves tj dreves
      4 months ago


      the long term personal health consequences of BPA's concern me more than anything else

    • Vox Appeal Vox Appeal
      4 months ago


      "...adequately fund our water infrastructure, which in many regions consists largely of dilapidated, Civil War era-water and sewer pipes." - What better argument in favour of bottled water! And probably the prime culprit in the debate.

      What irks me is seeing cartloads of empty, uncrushed water bottles shipped off to recycling in diesel trucks which are essentially carrying 300 cubic feet of fresh air & about 2lbs of plastic! How can that be ecologically sound?

      Everyone should learn to interpret municipal water quality analyses and ensure that their local authorities provide high-quality healthy water.

    • Benno Hansen Benno Hansen
      4 months ago


      Bottled water should be banned world wide.

      But sooner or later it WILL become a rarity simply because it is such a wasteful practise.

    • David Walimaki
      4 months ago


      Bottled water is SOOO much a waste of resources.....you get the same stuff out of a faucet.
      AND....everybody complains about he price of gas......but gas is a bargain compared to bottled water.
      Y'all complain about paying $3.50 a gallon for gas, but don't think twice about paying $20.00 for a gallon for water, 12 oz at a time.
      gas=3.50/gal=3.50/128oz
      water=2.00/12oz=$20/120oz
      and in most cases the water goes from ground to bottle........city water goes from ground to purifier to faucet.

      Only IDIOTS pay for more water in a bottle after paying for the water that comes from the same source, but comes from a faucet.

    • Wolfgang Greller Wolfgang Greller
      4 months ago


      The problematic of plastic bottles aside, the process of purified water is horrific and against nature. First water is distilled and cleared of all natural substances then artificial minerals, vitamins and taste are added, then it is sold as "mountain spring"! Clearly an absurdity.

    • psw83752
      3 months ago


      I work at WalMart and see SO MUCH bottled water sold out of just that one store - it's shameful! People need to get a reusable bottle - there are many to choose from - and use a Britta or Pur to filter their water - if it's needed, and STOP ADDING TO THE POLUTION AND GLOBAL WARMING!!!
      I will admit to purchasinf water on occasion, but it's a rare occasion, and usually because I don't have the means to carry the amount needed for the trip - BUT!!! I do recycle them, along with everything else that I can find a recycler for: paper, metal cans, aluminum, and YES! I think recycling should be mandatory! since too many people are either too lazy or too stupid to do it on their own. We need to think about the legacy we are leaving our chilkdren, grandchildren, etc. and do the right thing.
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First Posted By

Nova Spivack

First Comment By

S. Charles Balazs

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