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There certainly was a time where the brand names of Perrier and Dasani brought about images of purity and health. Lately though it seems that this imagery has been replaced with criticism and scrutiny. People seem to be leaning towards a greener way of life, or at least recommending such lifestyles

Web Exclusive: Water bottles destroy earth

By Ivey Ingalls-Rubin

 

There certainly was a time where the brand names of Perrier and Dasani brought about images of purity and health. Lately though it seems that this imagery has been replaced with criticism and scrutiny.

People seem to be leaning towards a greener way of life, or at least recommending such lifestyles.  Since this fad has truly struck a cord with the population there seems to be an adjusted opinion on bottling one of life’s main components, the picture perfect symbol of conspicuous consumption.

The sales of multi-use “green” bottles such as Sigg or Voss Water have surged. Eco-friendly Web sites list various locations of municipal water fill-up stations. Whole cities like Chicago have gone as far as adding an extra tax to bottled water to discourage its purchase.  Even some colleges around the country have slapped a ban on selling bottled water on campus. The latest to establish this doctrine is the University of Vermont. As of three weeks ago they resumed their everyday schedules, only this time without the guilt of harboring one of this culture’s obvious obsessions of commodity.

From the points of view of the student body I’m surrounded with however, there seems to be no problem. Which becomes obvious when the trashcans all over campus are over piled with plastic that could’ve just as easily been put in the recycle bin. The real argument it seems has fallen upon the question, if water is so good for you, what’s so bad about bottling it? Some of these die-hard critics on this unnecessary bottling of water say their concern lies with the environment. The image of millions and millions of wasted plastic bottles littering land fills bring nothing but a heavy guilt ridden heart, disgust in their minds, and distaste in their mouths. I for one, second this! What is the point of these corporations funneling in such large profits on something you can find in your home, at work, even coming from a fountain in one of your favorite parks? The madness of having the essentials of life handed to you on a gold plate or in this case a plastic bottle has to stop!

Just one of the many solutions have already been utilized in communities, and campuses everywhere. Refill stations have started to spring up; Even VSUs own campus has made the effort to establish these stations. Which not only suggests to the population that there is a better alternative to spending thousands a year on bottled water, but giving you no other option to deny its convenience as well!

According to FOX News, Americans topped previous record sales last year on bottled water with a mind-blowing 11.6 billion dollars! That’s a whole lot of money in a substance that is found in abundance almost everywhere we go. Tom Lauria, vice president for communications at the International Bottled Water Association asks ““Isn’t it nice that when you want to get one for convenience, it’s there?” It clearly is, and since it’s really the healthiest beverage you’re going to find in the cooler it’s a no brainer why people spend so much money every year. There really is no question, bottled water tastes great, and it’s ever present in our life. Ultimately though the problem is that it’s estimated that eight out of every 10 bottles you consume will end up in a landfill. That ratio is scary, and is a clear display of sheer laziness. These bottles can be recycled, and maybe if everyone was aware that it took up to 700 years before they even began to decompose, the percentage of wasted plastic might decline dramatically.

The key thing to keep in mind is that if you aren’t willing to change your consumption patterns, and switch to simply refilling your bottles at one of VSU’s own refill stations. Which can be found at the student union, on both the 1st and 2nd floors by the bathrooms. Then you’ve got to recycle. Utilize VSUs own recycling receptacles that are conveniently located on campus, one of which is in West Hall with cute color coordinated bins. The planet nearly depends on it. If you must continue having convenience instead of ecological safety then take that extra effort and do mother earth, your peers and yourself a favor, please recycle.

 

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One comment

  1. Kodos to you. we all need to become more aware of the negative enviromental effects of our mindless consumerism to our home, planet Earth. Scrap the disposible water bottle habit and go buy a good reusable poly bottle, refil and enjoy. Well done. Thanks for the info Ivey.

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