In the past few years we have seen a huge shift in the statistics of the beverage industry, particularly in the area of bottled and filtered water.
There is a growing trend amongst consumers to turn away from sugar-laden drinks due to health and wellness concerns. Consumers are getting smarter, realising water is the very best form of hydration. For this reason, the bottled water segment of the beverage industry is now the fastest growing with a projected 6% annual growth in sales – but is this shift to bottled water for the better?
The answer is yes and no.
It’s great to see Australian’s taking their health into their own hands, but at the same time, we are still not helping the health of our planet. In Australia, over 400,000 barrels of oil are used per year to manufacture plastic bottles. That’s enough to run 27,000 cars for a whole year! We recycle only 30% of bottles sold, and the rest end up in landfill or waterways where it takes 450 years to decompose. This pollution is detrimental to our land and marine ecosystems.
Over 400,000 barrels of oil are used per year to manufacture plastic bottles. Only 30% are recycled, the rest end up in landfill where they take up to 450 years to decompose.
Stay Hydrated and Save Our Planet
Is there a solution to the plastic bottle crisis polluting our planet? The answer is a resounding YES! Did you know that at least 24 percent of bottled water is in fact filtered tap water! So, why are we paying for someone else to bottle our water, when we can simply filter and bottle our own water into reusable bottles at home?
Plastic Water Bottles Health Risks
Are you guilty of re-filling your store-bought plastic water bottle? Have you noticed the bottle gets a bit steamy and sweaty looking after a few days?
There is a reason this happens, and it's not healthy.
Some types of plastic water bottles contain chemicals that may seep into your drinking water. Bisphenol A (BPA) is one of the most commonly cited culprits, and is found in hard plastic bottles marked with the plastic code "7." Bottles containing BPA are prohibited in Japan, according to Scientific American, though as of 2010 they are still widely used in the United States and other parts of the world.
Filtered Water, Good For You, Good for the Environment
Filtering your own water is easy, good for the environment and good for your wallet - and with a wide selection of filters for different living situations, you have every reason to filter your own.
Bottled Water Pros:
- Convenient
- Healthier than regular tap water
- Tastes good
Bottled Water Cons:
- Expensive
- Terrible for the environment
- Encourages use of fossil fuels
Filtered Water Pros:
- Reduced contaminants and impurities
- Tastes great
- Reduced Odour
- In the long run, you will save money
- Produced on demand
- Environmentally friendly
Filtered Water Cons:
- Upfront cost
- Maintenance cost
As we can see, whilst drinking bottled water is far better for your health than sugary beverages, it isn't helping the environment (or your bank balance!). Filtered water is by far the best solution, for you and our planet!
So, now that you know the pros and cons of drinking filtered vs bottled water, which one will you choose?
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