Increased Use of Bottled Water a Waste of Energy
Consumption of Non-Tap Water Uses Large Energy Resources
Jul 15, 2008
As the cost of energy continues to increase and the demand for fossil fuel continues to grow combined with the need to curb greenhouse gas emissions, the continued use of bottled water, especially in the developed world, could be considered a waste of energy. Bottled water is expensive both in money terms and in the resources used in its manufacture and distribution. It contributes to pollution and adds to carbon dioxide emissions.
Bottled Water Consumption
- In the United States, according to a paper published by the Earth Policy Institute in February 2006, written by Emily Arson and Janet Larsen, “The United States is the world’s leading consumer of bottled water, with Americans drinking 26 billion liters in 2004." Figures from the Beverage Marketing Corporation’s report 2007 Bottled Water in the U.S. show that this amount has now risen to over 33 billion liters and according to the same report, “U.S. residents drink more bottled water annually than any other beverage, other than carbonated soft drinks”
- World demand for bottled water continues to grow. Companiesandmarkets.com, a market research company, states that, “The market grew by 8.1% in 2006 to reach a volume of 115,393.5 million liters. In 2011, the market is forecast to have a volume of 174,286.6 million liters, an increase of 51% since 2006”, in their Bottled Water - Global Industry Guide published on February 28, 2008.
Bottled water is a very expensive commodity in relation to tap water. The Myth and Reality of Bottled Water, by Peter H. Gleick, published by Island Press in 2005, says, “bottled water in most industrialized nations costs between $500 and $1000 per cubic meter.” A fact sheet titled Bottled Water vs. Tap Water: Making a Healthy Choice published by the San Francisco Dept. of Health, in April 2004, states, “In San Francisco, bottled water is at least 300 times more expensive than tap water. SFPUC sells water for around $.003 per gallon. Bottled water costs between $1.00 and $4.00 per gallon.”
Bottled Water Wastes Energy
The Pacific Institute, a California based environmental research group, states in its fact sheet, Bottled Water and Energy: Getting to 17 Million Barrels, published in December 2007, “The Pacific Institute finds that it took approximately 17 million barrels of oil equivalent to produce plastic for bottled water consumed by Americans in 2006—enough energy to fuel more than 1 million American cars and light trucks for a year.”
Bottled Water Creates Greenhouse Gas Emissions.
The fact sheet Bottled Water and Energy, again produced by the Pacific Institute and published in December 2008 states, “Most of this water was sold in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles. The manufacture of every ton of PET produces around 3 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2). Bottling water thus created more than 2.5 million tons of CO2 in 2006."
Bottled Water and Pollution
In an article titled "The Unintended Consequences of Hyperhydration" in the Magazine section of the New York Times, published in May 27, 2007, John Mooallen reported, “Americans will throw out more than two million tons of PET bottles this year. Even when recycled, it is hard to turn scrap PET into new bottles.”
Bottled Water Backlash
Many authorities are now realizing the waste of energy that is involved in the increasing popularity of bottled water. A report carried in the Bangkok Post of July 1, 2008, by Rob Lever, on the US Conference of Mayors held in Miami in June 2008, states that the conference “passed a resolution calling for a phasing out of bottled water by municipalities and promotion of the importance of public water facilities."
In a time of increasing world anxiety on global warming, continuing oil price rises and concerns over mounting pollution, many people feel powerless in the face of such global problems. Individual local actions such as avoiding bottled water could help cut down on plastic refuse, lower dependence on fossil fuels and help curb greenhouse gas emissions.
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