Do Your Part, Drink Smart

Do Your Part, Drink Smart

Over the last few years, more people are making an effort to eat healthier and stay active. This endeavor usually involves drinking more water as opposed to sodas and other unhealthy beverages. While drinking water is great for the body, many people have turned to bottled water which has become a huge source of waste and a major concern for the environment. 

Many people buy bottled water because they believe it is cleaner than filtered tap water. The truth is, most bottled water is filtered tap water. Twenty four percent of bottled water sold in the United States come from 2 MAJOR manufacturers of popular beverages. Both of these products clearly state on the label that they are simply bottled purified municipal water.

In 2006 alone, Americans used 50 billion water bottles; 38 billion of which were sent to landfills.  This means that the average American used 167 disposable water bottles but only recycled 38 of them. The facts are in and people just aren’t recycling as much as they need to be. Instead of being reused, the empty water bottles are taking up landfill space, increasing air pollution and destroying the ozone layer.

Strategies that CAN make a difference

• Filter your own tap water via your refrigerator water filter and fill re-usable water bottles.
• If your refrigerator doesn't have a water dispensor - use a water filter/pitcher system.  The average water filter/pitcher system can filter 240 gallons of water a year, which equals about 19 cents a day for clean, cheap, environmentally friendly water. 
• Install a faucet-mount water filtration system.  These install easily and purify the water as it comes out of the tap in your sink.
• Install an undersink water filtration system.  Installation and filter replacement is a snap.  Filter cartridges can purify as much as 2,000 gallons of water before they must be changed.

There are several different brands and methods for filtering water at home, and re-usable water bottles are everywhere. The bottom line; this method keeps money in your pocket and water bottles out of landfills. Isn’t the health of our environment and your wallet worth the extra ten seconds it takes to fill up a re-usable bottle?