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Drinking Water Bottles, One Small Step

June 1, 2009 1 Comment




If you subscribe to the Native American Proverb that “We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children”, then we have no excuse not to do something to help our earth and the environment we live in. Our group here in Texas is  made up of 6 different families all related, but also all very different in their approach to life and the environment . Just like the larger world, we have a great deal of diversity in our families. All trying to lead their lives according to their own rules and standards. In some small way, we each try to make a difference by being aware of the world around us and what we can  do to change things for the better. If everyone does just small things, the impact on our planet would be profound.

plastic_drinking_bottle

I write this after having taken a walk on the great walking trails in our community. These trails are great for getting in some exercise and enjoying nature, there is a creek that flows through with lots of birds, fish, frogs, wildflowers, even a beaver. What I also see when I walk are a lot of plastic water bottles thrown out on the beautiful banks and in the water. Some of these have washed in with the rainwater run off , but many were just left there when their humans went home.
Because  most bottled water is consumed away from home, usually at a park, in an office or even while driving — areas where there’s usually no recycling, It seems, for some reason, many people just leave the plastic and don’t take  it with them.

Plastic Recycling Facts

  • In 2006, Americans drank about 167 bottles of water each but only recycled an average of 23 percent. That leaves 38 billion water bottles in landfills.
  • Bottled water costs between $1 and $4 per gallon, and 90 percent of the cost is in the bottle, lid and label.
  • It takes over 1.5 million barrels of oil to manufacture a year’s supply of bottled water. That’s enough oil to fuel 100,000 cars.
  • Eight out of 10 plastic water bottles become landfill waste.
  • In 2007 we spent $16 billion on bottled water. That’s more than we spent on iPods or movie tickets.
  • Plastic bottles can take up to 1000 years before they begin to biodegrade once buried.
  • If everyone in NYC gave up water bottles for one week, they would save 24 million bottles from being landfilled. One month on the same plan would save 112 million bottles, and one year would save 1.328 billion bottles from going into the landfill.

    • If you would like just one small thing to do to help our planet, here it is. If you do not currently recycle, water bottles are a great way to start. Better yet, if you purchase bottled water, and you are not alone, according to the Beverage Marketing Corp, the average American consumed 1.6 gallons of bottled water in 1976, in 2006 that number jumped to 28.3 gallons, how about just saying no to bottled water. Bring water from home. Now you have no plastic to leave and no plastic to recycle. You are helping in a big way to make our planet a greener place to live. Think about it. Just one day, one week, one month could save us many earth years to enjoy this place!

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    About Karen

    Karen is a self confessed greenie: Having grown up in the late 70’s, I was an official card carrying tree hugger, chartered member of the Environmental club and die hard John Denver fan! Nowadays I live a green life on Blue Moon Farm with our home grown vegetables and mini horses!
    View all posts by Karen →

    One Response to “Drinking Water Bottles, One Small Step”

    1. Tom Y Reply March 18, 2011 at 12:51 am

      I agree!!! To reduce waste from plastic bottles, we better bring drinking water from home because in addition to saving the planet also could save our descendant.