The waste of bottled water

In 2011, the National Park Service introduced a policy as part of its Green Parks Program to ban the sale of bottled water and reduce or eliminate the use of plastic water bottles in National parks. 

At the behest of Big Water companies, Congress tried to prohibit the Park Service from using taxpayer money to ban plastic water bottles and included a requirement that  the Park Service file reports to justify these bans. This is an example of corporate interests seeking to prevent responsible change. 

In 2012 alone, Americans spent $11.8 billion on bottled water. Consumer attachment to bottled water is a contradiction. The federal Safe Drinking Water Act ensures tap water is rigorously screened and all public water systems in the U.S. are required to follow the standards and regulations set by the Environmental Protection Agency.  In addition, thanks to organizations such as Clean Water Action, the U.S. has the safest potable water supply in the world. But big water companies spend billions to convince us tap water is unsafe.  This is especially ironic when two of the most popular companies, Aquafina and Dasani, sell bottled tap water. 

Bottled water costs a thousand times more than tap. The production of water bottles uses an estimated 17 million barrels of oil a year. Three liters of water are used to produce one liter of bottled water. Annual production produces 2.5 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions — the same as 400,000 cars. 

Bottled water companies continue to damage the environment while deceiving consumers. Companies like Arrowhead, Evian and Aquafina “greenwash” their products, branding their bottles as “green” and advocating for recycling on their labels. In reality, the term “green” has no legal meaning. Slapping the insignia of a leaf on a plastic bottle does not change its environmental impact. Gimmicks like Dasani’s PlantBottle are especially deceptive. There is an ethanol from sugarcane waste used in Dasani’s bottle that achieves nothing except justifying the label “plant-based.”  It is still non-biodegradable plastic. 

Resistance to the bans at national parks is clear indication that corporate interests are preventing meaningful change. The problem of plastic waste is becoming more urgent. There are currently 2 million tons of plastic water bottles in our landfills, and 10 million tons of plastic waste in our oceans. 

Consumers must take responsibility — and action.  Before you discard your next plastic bottle, consider the 450 years it will take to biodegrade.  Opt for reusable containers, be aware of the deception in labeling, and don’t be fooled by companies’ advertising trying to convince you bottled water is better than what comes from your faucet. 

Cady Stanton is an intern at the Office of the Community Lawyer.  She is a senior at The Hotchkiss School.