Are Plastic Water Bottles Eco Friendly

So you want to know are plastic water bottles eco friendly. The short answer is "no", no ands, ifs or buts, just a flat out "no". Here's why.

Plastics are derived from petrochemicals. Petrochemicals are byproducts of the process used to convert petroleum into gasoline or petrol. It is true that these byproducts will be available for as long as we are dependent on gasoline. But, what happens if we find alternative fuel sources?

Scientists started out using petrochemicals as a replacement for rubber. Rubber trees were scarce and not fast-growing. As the automobile industry grew, we needed more tires and more rubber. Petrochemicals became the solution.

Over the years, petrochemicals have been used to make a countless array of consumables. Here's one that may really surprise you. They are use in foods as artificial preservatives, flavourings and colourings.

This may also surprise you. The vitamins that you take every day are more than likely synthetic ones, derived from petrochemicals. The enteric coatings used to protect them may be made of petrochemicals.

There are natural alternatives for all of the consumables made from this petroleum waste. But, they do cost more.

Understanding the composition of the material is only part of the answer to; are plastic water bottles eco friendly. There is also the factor of biodegradability. These materials do not break down naturally in nature.

If they are not recycled, they will stay in the landfill for an unknown period of time, possibly for as long as the world exists. Most people do not recycle.

So, the bottled beverage companies have given you a different answer to; are plastic water bottles eco friendly. They told you that since they are using less plastic, the bottle is better, somehow.

While it might take up less space in a landfill, there are still all of the same issues of biodegradability and petrochemicals.

Environmental groups like the Sierra Club have estimated that three times the water found in a bottle for sale at your grocers is wasted during the production of the bottle. They are primarily concerned about how the bottled beverage industry is wasting our most precious natural resource; freshwater.

In areas surrounding deep wells where companies packaged "spring" waters, private wells and ponds have dried up.

The problem was so bad in one town that the companies were required to provide bottled beverages for all of the residents until the situation could be resolved.

What do you think? Are plastic water bottles eco friendly? It is impossible for them to be considered anything but the opposite.

The safest and best solution is to install a purifier in your home.

You can purchase glass or stainless steel containers and take your own beverages with you wherever you go.

You will be sure about exposure to contaminants, which is something you can never be sure of when you buy bottled beverages.

Remember what you have learned here about are plastic water bottles eco friendly. Try not to buy them if you can help it at all.

http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gordon_P_Hall