The Environmental Impact of Bottled Water: A Climate Change Concern

Americans consume more than 8 billion gallons of bottled water every year, and worldwide the number is closer to 41 billion gallons. Unfortunately, one side effect of such an abundance of water bottles is high energy consumption, a major factor in global warming.

Energy Consumption

• The burning of fossil fuels is one of the largest contributors to the problem of global warming. While tap water reaches its destination via an energy-efficient infrastructure, the production and delivery of bottled water consumes vast amounts of fossil fuels before reaching the consumer. In addition, the bottled water industry consumes 2.7 million tons of crude oil-derived plastic each year.

Excess Garbage

• In the U.S., 86 percent of plastic water bottles become garbage rather than being recycled. Moreover, 40 percent of the bottles recycled in the U.S. are transported to China, consuming even more resources and thereby contributing to the greenhouse gases associated with global warming. When incinerated, plastic becomes toxic; when buried, it may take 1,000 years to biodegrade. Plastic bottles also make up a large part of the what is known as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.

Health and Local Concerns

• Bottled water is not necessarily healthier for the consumer than tap water. In fact, the chemicals that leach from the plastic into the water may be more harmful to the drinker. Moreover, in most municipalities, tap water is more regulated than bottled water. In addition, water tables often drop very quickly near bottling plants, which harms the environment, and businesses and residents who depend on it.