Bottled Water

I found an article on WebMD about Bottled Water and congressional concerns about Americans not "understanding" that this stuff is really no better for you than normal water. And I think they just don't get it.

Environmental and consumer groups are urging closer scrutiny of bottled water. The groups say Americans are wasting billions of dollars while causing environmental damage -- and adding few health benefits.

The calls come as Congress begins to consider stricter labels that alert consumers about the source and potential environmental impact of the products.

Wasting billions of dollars and causing environmental damage. More on this.

Americans spend about $11 billion per year on bottled water, according to the Beverage Marketing Corp. In the process they help generate 2.7 million tons of plastic bottles. Those bottles are produced and transported using petroleum, and most wind up in landfills, Wu says.

Well, good for us. About half of that might otherwise be spent on bottled soda. If you're going to attack the environmental aspects of bottled water, you'd better put all sorts of portable potables in there. Grrrrrr.

There wasn't bottled water in the 70s and early 80s. Pretty much the only bottled beverages were carbonated, and I just could never abide by the bubbles. So when things such as bottled water and bottled juices etc. became mainstream, there was much rejoicing. But, hey, I guess we plebes need to know that we're destroying our planet without giving ourselves any health benefit (all the while stupidly wasting our very few hard-earned dollars because, hey, this stuff is very expensive compared to tap water). If only there weren't for that bottled water, Mother Gaia would stop weeping. I'll continue wasting my money, thanks.

hln

Posted by hln at September 12, 2008 05:29 AM | Health/Fitness/Nutrition | TrackBack