BOTTLE BATTLES: Empty water bottles becoming environmental scourge
Empty water bottles becoming environmental scourge
By Bo Petersen
The Post and Courier
Water bottles dot the municipal solid waste section of the Bees Ferry Landfill on Thursday.
Cost comparisons
Gasoline
$2.82
** AAA average price of a gallon of gas in Charleston area on Thursday
--------------------------
Bottled water
Sale price of bottled water in The Post and Courier advertising inserts Wednesday
** $2 -- Aquafina by the gallon (16.9-ounce bottles)
** $ 1.97 -- Dasani per gallon (.5-liter bottles)
--------------------------
Tap water
** .0015 cents
Summerville CPW price, gallon of tap water (in-town rate)
--------------------------
Bottled water consumption
** 70 million bottles per day in the United States
** 60 million per day end up in landfills, 22 billion per year
** 6 times as many thrown away in 2004 as 1997
--------------------------
Worldwide bottled water consumption
** 41 billion gallons in 2004: 57 percent more than five years earlier
** Source: Container Recycling Institute
--------------------------
Petroleum used in the bottles manufactured
** 10 million barrels per year
** Source: Earth Policy Institute
Urban Legend
Singer and breast cancer survivor Sheryl Crow said it last fall on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show": Don't leave bottled water out in the sun. The plastic breaks down and leaches a cancer-causing substance into the water. The rumor has circulated the Internet that reusing the bottles does the same thing.
It's apparently an urban legend with its origins in a graduate thesis published without review a few years back. Industry representatives responded by saying that the federal Food and Drug Administration has approved the plastic for repeated use.
That's not quite true, said Janet Larsen, a researcher with Earth Policy Institute, a federal Environmental Protection Agency program working to reduce fossil fuel emissions. Some plastic products have been approved for reuse, some haven't.
"The biggest danger, the biggest immediate risk, is bacteria breeding," she said, urging consumers to clean bottles and buy bottles that can be easily cleaned.
A few studies have suggested that there might be problems with the plastic breaking down, but "if you're looking for a peer-reviewed paper concluding that it causes cancer, I haven't seen that," she said. "The science is somewhat inclusive. It's possible it does and we just don't know it yet."
Bottled water is as ubiquitous as cell phones. Joggers on The Battery and shoppers at the Market carry trendy brands.
The water disappears by the cartons from supermarkets and department stores. Restaurants serve it mineral, sparkling or spring. And bottled water has become a hurricane supply of choice.
But the bottles are so popular that they have become a nightmare. They litter streets and waterways and fill up trash cans.
A "back to the tap" trend has developed through consumers, restaurants and agencies in larger cities, highlighted by a recent San Francisco ban on the use of city money to buy single-serving bottled water, and its sale on city property. It's tough to tell whether that's happening in the Lowcountry, where the tang of coastal water can be an acquired taste.
In the United States alone we go through 70 million bottles per day, and environmentalists estimate that only one of every six plastic bottles gets recycled. The Earth Policy Institute, a federal program working to reduce fossil fuel emissions, estimates that 10 million barrels of oil are used in new bottles made each year.
In Charleston County alone, 571 tons of drink bottles were recycled last year, an estimated 35 percent of recycled waste, said Robert Lawing, interim solid waste director. The bottles that are thrown out don't appear to be making a significant impact on the landfill, Lawing said.
Bottled water is only a small fraction of the water consumed each year, and the bottles are not too big a percentage of what goes into landfills. But in terms of "carbon footprint" — the fossil fuel emissions discharged for the product made — it's huge.
"It's unnecessary in almost every case and it creates a lot of pollution along the way," said Janet Larsen, the institute's research director, adding that Environmental Protection Agency standards for tap water are stricter than Food and Drug Administration standards for bottled water.
"It doesn't make sense to spend a lot of money on a product that isn't any better than what you get out of the tap. A lot of the bottled-water makers, that's what they do — run tap water through a carbon filter and sell it to you," she said.
"Plastic is very, very resilient. It takes an awful long time for it to break down, and it never really goes away," she said. Researchers have estimated that it takes 1,000 years for plastic to break down. Environmental groups such as the institute have begun to focus on that issue.
"Reduce your use, reuse and recycle," Larsen said.
The International Bottled Water Association, responding to the San Francisco ban, said in a news release, "Bottled water is growing in popularity because people appreciate its consistent quality, taste and convenience."
The association called the plastic bottles fully recyclable and one of the most recycled items in the country. The industry is working to reduce its environmental footprint with moves such as recycling and using less plastic, the release said.
On a hot afternoon, a workers' pickup truck labored down International Boulevard with a bed full of pallets of bottled water. The water costs almost as much as gasoline and a lot more than tap water, but sales keep rising.
"We use it for all our drinking water and coffee," said Don Rhodes of West Ashley, after leaving a Wal-Mart with a dozen of the gallon jugs. "Several years ago the water coming from our refrigerator tap changed its taste. We've used bottled water ever since."
A lot of people agree with Rhodes. They say bottled water tastes better and is better for you. Others say that's just advertising, tap water quenches the thirst just as well for a lot less money and provides fluoride your teeth need. In fact, about 25 percent of bottled water comes from municipal water systems, according to federal studies.
In the Lowcountry, who drinks from the bottle and how much can depend on where they're from.
"There are people from around the country who think all water on the coast tastes funny," said Phil Pettus, the general manager of Anson Restaurant. "You sure see a lot of people walking around drinking (bottled water) all the time. That kind of spills over into (their orders)." But three of every four of his customers are fine with tap water, he said.
The upscale downtown restaurant sells a lot of bottled water, but it sold a lot more eight or nine months ago than it does now, Pettus said. "This time of year nobody minds tap water."
At Earth Fare in West Ashley, a natural foods supermarket, the cafe water is from the tap, run through reverse osmosis. Bottled water off the shelf sells "exceptionally well," said director Wayne Sauls. "I've not seen or heard anything negative."
Reader poll
How often do you drink bottled water?
- Every day 47% 368 votes
- Once or twice a week 13% 107 votes
- Occasionally 26% 203 votes
- Never 13% 102 votes
780 total votes.
At Sewee Restaurant in Awendaw, where the tap water is straight from a country well, it's run through a filter "so it's not truly sulfur water," said cashier Rebecca Linton. Some customers will sip and ask for lemons, some for sweet tea. Some will ask for the bottle.
"Depends on if they're local or out-of-staters," she said.
Rhodes, the gallon-jug user, does have environmental concerns about the plastic, he said, "but it's not something my wife or I overly concern ourselves with." They asked for recycling containers in the past but didn't get them, he said. If they got them they would use them.
Reach Bo Petersen at 745-5852 or bpetersen@postandcourier.com.
E-mail this story
Printer-friendly versionComments
nyscof (anonymous) says...
Hydrofluosilicic Acid is added to about 2/3 of public water supplies and called fluoridation. It's a waste product of phosphate fertilizer manufacturing and is allowed to contain trace amounts of lead, mercury, arsenic and others contaminants.
Legislative bodies, health departments and organized dentistry negate our freedom to choose or not choose fluoride by informing us we are free to buy fluoride-free bottled water which, of course, is what a growing number of Americans are doing.
If you want to cut down on bottled water drinkers, cut out the fluoride that's added to municipal water supplies, not to treat the water, but to treat the individual for a disease he many not have - tooth decay.
Fluoride is neither a nutrient nor required for healthy teeth. Almost half of American school children are fluoride overdosed as a result of water fluoridation.
Fluoridation 101
http://www.orgsites.com/ny/nyscof
July 13, 2007 at 5:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
LocalHero (anonymous) says...
Interesting nyscof,
Do you know if charcoal filters do anything to remove fluoride?
We do so many things backwards in this country....
July 13, 2007 at 7:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
majorjohnson (anonymous) says...
"US Surgeon General reports tooth decay is at epidemic proportions "
Next paragraph..."U.S., public health dentists only managed to cut rates by 50% over the same period (since 1984)."
So it's at epidemic proportions after cutting it by 50%? Get your tin foil hats out...
July 13, 2007 at 8:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Charlestonman (anonymous) says...
This has been true for quite some time. the only reason to drink bottled water is taste and convenience. the water coming out of the tap is just as good, if not better, but people have bought the lie from bottled water marketers.
the two waters from the soft drink companies pepsi and coke, aquafina and dasani, are awful tasting. reverse osmosis water. ugh. but people drink it like sheep.
July 13, 2007 at 8:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
singleroni (anonymous) says...
nothing taste better than good old Edisto water. What happen to the artesian well that was across from Saint Francis Hospital - remember as a teenager watching dozens of people fill up jugs there
July 13, 2007 at 9:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hawneena (anonymous) says...
I think that preference in water taste is just like any other beverage. Some people like this one and some like that one. As far as the plastic bottle disposal problem, just recycle them. If you are concerned enough about your health then be concerned about the environment. Maybe putting recycle containers next to regular trash barrels would encourage some people to use them.There are always going to be people who could care less about where they toss their refuse. We need to think about our children's and grandchildren's futures.
July 13, 2007 at 9:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kbailey (anonymous) says...
Maybe I'm biased as we recently moved to the area but the municipal water coming to our Mount Pleasant home from the Charleston municipal water supply is the worst I have ever tasted. Half the time it is so highly clorinated that it smells like a pool and can actually make you more thristy, the other half of the time it smells like a swamp! We have had it tested twice in two years and the water department stated that it is "within the required state levels".
We now filter all of our water using a tap mounted filter which had certainly helped but Charleston (and Mount Pleasant) need to greatly improve their water quality if they hope to get people off of bottled water and back on the tap.
July 13, 2007 at 10:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JI4life (anonymous) says...
I think we have this idea that if something is recyclable that means that it is eco-friendly and we are being good stewards of creation. The vast majority of plastic water bottles are made from traditional petroleum plastic and are a #1 plastic (sometimes #2). You can check the bottom of most plastic containers and see what number is inside the little recycle triangle.
Unlike many metals, plastics degrade the more they are used, so each time you recycle it the yield and quality decreases. So if I recycle and plastic bottle, it will come back as some lesser form of plastic, like carpet backing. After that it can't be recycled any further b/c the yield and quality are so low that it is useless. This is why the motto is "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle." They are in that order b/c that is the best, most effective way to do it.
Plus plastic can leach industrial chemicals used to cure and crate the bottles into your beverages.
For flavor, safety, and the environment, I suggest using corn plastics, aluminum cans, reusing a glass bottle, or buying a long-term usage stainless steel bottle (easy to find at whole foods or online...search for "klean kanteen").
http://www.checnet.org/healtheHouse/e...
http://www.kleankanteen.com/
July 13, 2007 at 10:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
whome (anonymous) says...
Here's a solution that worked for me and many people that I know. It's cheaper, more convenient, and better for the environment than bottled water, probably cleaner and better tasting than the tap. It's a water dispenser.
July 13, 2007 at 10:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
newbattleaxe (anonymous) says...
Reverse osmosis removes most impurities from water. Carbon and floss filtering remove still more. This is how pharmaceutical companies purify water for manufacturimg medicines. (Although they use much purer water than municipal water companies and water bottling companies.)
Chemicals that have been tested and approved for human consumption by the FDA are added back in to cut down on pipe corrosion and bacteria counts and help protect our teeth.
Ultrapure water (like the drug companies use) is corrosive. It will pit stainless steel. It is best stored in polypropylene (PLASTIC) containers. These containers last longer when shielded from sunlight.
Oh, a quick googling of Dasani Water shows that it, like Coca Cola, is bottled at several different places in the US, for distribution in the US.
July 13, 2007 at 10:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jeffyoung007 (anonymous) says...
If people are too selfish and irresponsible to recycle, make recycling the law. It's sad that so many in our society lack the mental capacity to think beyond the present moment. We, as consumers, also need to demand companies use plastic marked 1 or 2.
July 13, 2007 at 11:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ThePhink (anonymous) says...
This is Rusty's fault.
July 13, 2007 at 12:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mac0cm4 (anonymous) says...
It's asinine to drink bottled water in a developed, civilized society where the water is safe to drink. In a third world dump of a country, or where the water quality is unknown, bottled water makes sense.
People are of the belief that bottled water is better. I think many would be surprised that much of it is just filtered tap water to begin with.
July 13, 2007 at 1:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MsBehavin (anonymous) says...
Why is this only about water bottles? Why not include soft drink bottles, too?
July 13, 2007 at 2:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bflosue (anonymous) says...
I have been wanting to get a water maker for a few years now, but haven't made the investment yet. It creates water by dehumidifying the air and filtering/sterilizing the resulting water. No floride, no chlorine, etc. I'm not sure how much electricity it would use, and if the environmental impact of generating that electricity would offset the benefits of no longer using plastic. I guess I need to get solar panels to go with it :)
July 13, 2007 at 2:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Postandcourier.com is pleased to offer readers the enhanced ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. Postandcourier.com does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not postandcourier.com. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "report abuse" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website.
Users can now build user-to-user connections, follow friends' recent posts, add an avatar that fits their personality, and more. If you have posted here before you'll need to sign up again, or if you've never posted before, start now by signing up!
Full terms and conditions can be read here.
Thank you for your interest in this story. The comment thread for this article has been closed.
- Most Commented
- Most Emailed
- S.C. losing port traffic to other states
- Out with old ...
- Water — 'The smell is gone'
- Cart gives Buddy new lease on life
- Schools plan to update visitor-security system
- Man, 17, killed in motorcycle wreck
- Off campus
- GenPhar site 'red-tagged'
- Historic manor house used by Girl Scouts is among buildings that might be torn down to make way for future
- Tough times have taught comedian's sister to love life
