Impact of Bottled Water

DID YOU KNOW?

Bottled water is about 3,000% more expensive per gallon than tap water, yet it's often no safer or cleaner. [1]

STAY INFORMED

  • The entire life cycle of bottled water uses fossil fuels, contributes to greenhouse gases, and wastes energy. From manufacturing to disposal, its environmental toll is steep. [1]
  • More than 17 million barrels of oil are required each year to make the plastic for bottled water used in the U.S. alone — enough to fuel 1 million cars for a year. [1]
  • 86% of plastic water bottles in the U.S. are not recycled. Most end up in landfills, waterways, or as litter. [1]

HELPFUL TIPS

1. Use Reusable Water Bottles

  • Fill them with tap water or filtered water. This is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to reduce plastic waste and conserve resources. [1]

2. Bottled Water Isn’t Necessarily Safer

  • Tap water in most U.S. cities is subject to more stringent testing than bottled water. The FDA regulates bottled water, but the EPA has stricter standards for municipal water. [1]

3. Know Your Water Source

  • The government requires detailed testing and public reporting of tap water quality. Bottled water companies are not held to the same transparency standards. [1]

SUSTAINABILITY REMINDER

Bottled water is convenient, but the hidden environmental costs are high. Reduce your impact by switching to reusable containers and supporting clean, accessible tap water. Every refill counts.

REFERENCES

  1. Harvard Sustainability – Rethink Bottled Water

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