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theUnbeliever
For the past ten years or so, the level of bottled water sales has been steadily growing by 7 – 8% every year. The level of global consumption is estimated to have more than doubled between 1997 and 2005.
Approximately 200 billion bottles of water are consumed worldwide each year. The US market is the largest by far, accounting for 25% of total sales.
However, there has been a recent backlash against the use of bottled water. One of the main causes for concern is the environmental impact of bottled water. The bottles themselves are generally made from Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which is a recyclable material – but the actual level of recycling is believed to be lower than 25%.
The energy required for production, transportation and disposal of the bottles is also a source for concern among environmentalists. When compared with tap water, bottled water creates carbon emissions which are three orders of magnitude greater on a per litre basis.
Despite the very effective marketing of the bottled water suppliers, there seems to be no evidence that bottled water is, in developed countries at least, any better for your health than plain old tap water. Some bottled waters have been found to contain estrogenic chemicals and even uranium. Most bottled waters have some level of salt present – which is bad for your blood pressure.
In terms of taste there is little firm evidence that bottled water is any better than tap water. London tap water came third out of 24 different waters used in a UK blind taste test. In the USA, a 2007 episode of Penn and Teller (which may have been more entertaining than scientific – but still merits a mention) showed that diners could not distinguish between bottled water and water sourced from a garden hose.
In terms of cost to the consumer the exact ratio will vary according to the brand of water under consideration, but generally speaking bottled water costs several hundred times more per litre than tap water.
So, in terms of environmental impact, health, taste and cost, bottled water really doesn’t have a lot going for it. If you really don’t like the taste of the water that comes out of your tap then you might be better advised to try some type of home filtration system. The cost will be higher than tap water, but much less than bottled water. If you go for a solution such as the Brita water filter jug then you will know that it’s better for the environment as all parts of the filters are recyclable.
Of course, if home filtration systems are great for when you’re at home – but if you like to carry water with you when you’re out and about then you could use and reuse a bottle which you fill at home, or the office, before you leave. Again, Brita Water are a good example having combined with international designer Orla Kiely to produce the Wottle – which claims to be the world’s first designer reusable bottle and is manufactured from 100% recycled material. Or you could just do a bit of recycling of your own and use an old Coke bottle.
Tags: Brita water, water filter, water filter jugs, wottle
In the beginning there was the computer. And God said,
c:\>Let there be light
Enter user i.d.
c:\>God
Enter password
c:\>Omniscient
Password incorrect. Enter password
c:\>Omnipotent
Password incorrect. Enter password
c:\>bGates$$$
Tags: computer jokes
Landfill Capping is how old landfill sites are sealed. It is the most widespread form of remediation because it is commonly less expensive than other technologies, and to all intents and purposes manages the human and ecological risks related to remediation methods.
Tags: landfill
Being allergic to food can be a challenge when a person wants to go out and have a nice dinner. If a person is severely allergic to certain foods, then the act of having their meal prepared in the area where the allergen is can bring forth an allergic reaction. If you know the signs and symptoms to look for, you will more than likely be aware of how to take care of yourself when out enjoying daily activities.
Tags: health
Right- firstly, you’re thinking “What on earth is green hosting??” Are they going to place a green label on the page? Do I get a green banner - is there going to be a green banner? No - green web hosting is just like any other hosting, but of course the green product is better for the environment. So of course next we have to figure out what green web hosting has to do with the environment.
Cow’s milk is the most common allergy-causing foods in kids, and it’s the foremost reason of allergic reactions in quite young infants. A milk allergy affects something like two to three percent of children worldwide, and its symptoms and signs may be serious enough to cause worry not just for an allergic child, but also for the child’s mother and father. However the good news is that most kids outgrow the allergy by the age two or three.
Tags: health
For US environmentalists December 2nd, 1970 stands out among other important dates, since it was the day on which President Richard Nixon signed into law the Environmental Protection Agency. It forever changed how each individual would play a part in the United State’s fight on pollution.
In the future we will be using solar energy to power our homes and cars. We can take a look at the pros and cons of solar energy to decide if we can live with it. We will all be using renewable solar power in the future and in a way we always have been.
Tags: wind power
Americans have always been an outstanding example of an energetic and optimistic people. The vastness of the American landscape and the attraction of being able to make it big with a lot of hard work and a little luck attracted the restless and disenfranchised from around the world. Despite imperfections America was, and remains, an energetic mix of one ethnic group after another in pursuit of their own personalised American dream.
Most cleaners available at the store these days rely heavily on toxic chemicals that seriously damage the environment. They often aren’t great for your health either. If you’re thinking about not using these harsh chemicals, you could use an equivalent but more environmentally friendly cleaner, and this is an important contributor to the green home.
There are many things in life that we consider to be essential. That new car or that new pair of shoes may seem essential but in reality they are not. Food, water and shelter are absolutely necessary for survival. Without water we would not exist. You would not get the chance to wear those new shoes or drive that new car. If you have ever traveled to another country, such as Mexico, then you have heard about the drinking water available there. It can not be just any water that you drink - it must be safe water that will not make you sick.
Fossil fuels generate most of the electricity we use. Today the demand for electricity is increasing, whereas the reserves of fossil fuels are depleting every day. The demand for solar power is rising now, since it is derived from natural resource like sunlight which is available in abundance. For centuries, naturally-renewable heating such as burning timber was used extensively, but today the demand for mains electricity is much higher.
Tags: solar power
Local elections are an interesting way to look at how the political climate is changing. However, when people look at these results, it’s easy to misunderstand the results and come to the wrong conclusions.
Tags: corruption
If it were a race to produce the most waste, then the United States would be leading the pack. Over 18.5 million tons are produced each year and a majority of this could be avoided by citizens joining in a recycling program.
During this economic crisis and continued global warming, the need for sustainable development has become a now issue instead of a later issue. Both private and government entities (including the EPA) have come up with programs and products that promote “green” production and consumption. These environment-friendly practices are now being used in numerous firms and industries.
Tags: climate change, global warming
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