Ever wonder what goes into those plastic water bottles we use almost every day? You’ve got three guesses.
Soybeans? Nope.
Corn syrup? For once, no. Last guess.
Hmm. Petroleum? Bingo!
In America alone, we use 15 to 17 million barrels of oil per year making water bottles. If you fill a bottle about one-quarter full of oil, that’s how much oil went into making the bottle! We Americans spend $11 billion per year on the things. Worldwide, we use 31 billion of them every year. About 10% get recycled. The rest go … wherever! When burned, they emit one of the world’s deadliest toxins: Dioxin. And the one you discard today won't break down fully before the year 2500.
And most of us use them in localities where the tap water is perfectly safe. For the rest of us, there are scores of home water filters that do a great job. But what do you put the water in?
Here’s where you can make a difference. Stainless steel bottles are probably best. Glass bottles are a bit heavier, but also good. Some Nalgene bottles emit chemicals which do funny things to your future offspring. Reusing plastic bottles is not advised because they emit carcinogens.
Here are some good websites:
For general information on alternative bottles: http://gogreentravelgreen.com/green-environmentally-friendly-products-travel-gear/how-to-choose-a-healthy-water-bottle-and-34-resources/
We got one of these for Christmas, and it's great:
http://www.camelbak.com/sports-recreation/bottles.aspx
To find a stainless bottle: http://www.amazon.com/Klean-Kanteen-Insulated-Bottle-20-Ounce/dp/B002VIRPFW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1292898136&sr=8-2
These also make great gifts for friends! There’s still time!
And in the bargain, you can help rid the world of this!
Merry Christmas!
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