Continuing our conversation on water choices, Welcome to Part 2: Environmental factors – Recycling.
The first fact: 30% of domestic PET production goes towards bottled water currently.
PET plastic is “down cycled”, never remade into plastic bottles because of concerns over bacteria. The PET pellets are then reused for a number of new items: plastic decking to rubber soles on shoes. Check out the quick video to see the process (how plastic would be recycled in the Matrix).

2007 Recycling Rates (courtesy Container Recycling Institute)

CA
US

Aluminum
79.1%
53.8%

Glass
66.7%
N/A

#1 PET
54.1%
28%

States that have some sort of …

As we approach next week’s conversation: Water Wars – Bottled vs. Tap, I’m blogging about how we choose our water. All week I’m examining the various factors that go into that choice. I’m focusing on the 5 biggies: Environmental, Taste, Convenience, Long Term Health, and Cost.
First up…Environmental Carbon Footprint.
Let’s start on the outside…i.e. the bottle. Most water bottles are made from PET (polyethylene terephthalate). It is easily identifiable from the #1 symbol on the bottom of the container. The two major environmental issues with this plastic is energy used …

Let’s shed a tear for bottled water. Increasingly, it has come under attack from a number of groups. The criticisms range from environmental impact (Fiji water is the poster child for high carbon footprints) to cost to health concerns.
I’d like to pose this truth…Water is a CHOICE. When drinking water, we’re faced with a myriad of factors to balance (Environmental, Convenience, Cost, Health Concerns, Taste) when making our choice.
Over the next week, I’ll be posting about each of this factors and how it pertains to water. Up first, environmental! …