By now it is no surprise that bottled water is wasteful. The environmental cost of the massive consumption of bottled water has led some U.S. and Canadian local governments to consider a ban on its sale. This may seem an extreme response however the scientific concerns are well-founded and the facts may surprise and concern you. For example, did you know bottles used to package water take over 1,000 years to bio-degrade? If they are incinerated, they produce toxic fumes. U.S. landfills (and proportionately Canadian) are overflowing with 2 million tons of discarded water bottles alone. Source: idswater.org. Recycling is only feasible in limited circumstances because only PET (polyethylene terephthalate) bottles can be recycled. All other bottles are discarded. Do you always know what type of plastic any or all of your plastic container purchases use? Environmentalist David Suzuki says the key environmental issues with bottled water are twofold - waste and uncertainty over the long-term health effects created by plastic.Our Top Story this month, was penned by Ryan Emmons, one of the youngest CEOs in the beverage industry. He founded Waiakea in 2012 as the first Hawaiian volcanic water to adapt a platform of healthy, sustainable and charitable initiatives. It’s a fascinating read and sheds light on one of the many interesting issues challenging our society today!
- Lisa James.
