The hot topic in recycling today is how to handle massive numbers of used bottled water bottles. In a recent report by the Beverage Marketing Corporation, Americans drink an enormous amount of bottled water -- over 8 billion gallons in 2006, a number that gets bigger every year. But only 20% of those bottles make it to the recycling center. In 2006 alone, the number of bottles NOT recycled, placed end to end, would reach to the moon and back -- 15 times! This gives a whole new meaning to Stairway to Heaven!
One solution is to go tap: www.yahoo.com/s/1104146. The cost is low. Taste varies but a recent survey indicates it's pretty good overall. New York City even advertises the quality of its tap water! Water from the tap is certainly convenient. Safety seems to be the biggest concern. Federal law requires that your community's water must meet treatment standards that are increasingly strict. If for some reason, your tap water becomes dangerous or contaminated, the Feds require that some form of communication be released detailing the problem at the water treatment facility and what you should do.
But what if an infant or an elderly person, or someone with a weakened immune system has already drunk that water? It could be a serious problem. There are a number of counter-top and in-line appliances that help purify and oxygenate drinking water from the tap. These appliances range in price from $50 to $500 and each offers unique benefits. Even a small number of us making the decision to drink tap water would alleviate the problem of bottled water waste.
From the recycling industry's side, plastics are numbered 1 through 7. Inside the Mobius Circle, the "chasing arrow" logo for recycling, the number 1 is significant. Water bottles are number 1 plastic -- the most desirable and sought-after plastic.
Bottled water bottles are readily reused to make non-food-grade containers. The water bottle is one item that the recyclers REALLY want. Water bottles are the item that helps floats the financial boat of recycling.
To combat the problem of future landfill shortages, cities like San Francisco, Salt Lake City and Minneapolis have curtailed bottled water purchases for city use. At this time, I don't think any community is welcoming the development of new landfills. The theory then is that 20 or 30 years from now, landfill space will be at such a premium, the cost of household garbage disposal will be double digits BY THE BAG! Imagine paying 60 bucks to have 3 bags of garbage picked up at your curb!
If your choice is to continue buying bottled water, knowing the inherent value of the plastic and preparing for future disposal problems are compelling reasons for responsible recycling of our most ubiquitous luxury. The rule of thumb is: if it has a screw top, it's recyclable. So, reduce, reuse, recycle. If your city or town does not provide for curbside pickup, go to www.cleanup.org to find a place to take your recyclables. A center may be closer than you think!