Important Plastic Water Bottle Stats

Many people have turned off the faucet in favor of bottled water. With chemicals and debris running through household pipes, a bottle of water seems to practically translate into a bottle of health. The problem, however, lies in the environmental fallout. In short, bottled water might be good for you, but it’s damaging to Mother Nature, at least when it comes in the form of plastic. 

In fact, there are several eye-opening plastic water bottle facts worth considering, including the following:

Plastic Water Bottles Pile Up in Landfills

Every day, people in the US toss more than 60 million plastic water bottles. While these bottles are recyclable, only 35% of Americans recycle regularly. That means many plastic bottles end up in landfills, in incinerators, or as litter in alleys, parks, lakes, oceans, and residential streets. 

Plastic Takes Hundreds of Years to Decompose

Plastic, whether it comes from a water bottle or something else, takes many years to decompose. A plastic bag takes 20 years, a plastic straw takes 200 years, a plastic water bottle takes 450 years, and a plastic toothbrush takes 500 years. By comparison, most food decomposes within a few weeks to months, depending on the type. 

The Ocean is Full of Plastic Water Bottles

The ocean may be a majestic abyss full of wonder and beauty, but it’s (sadly) full of garbage, too. Because of the vastness, it’s impossible to know how much debris is in the deep blue, but scientists calculated that about eight million metric tons of plastic entered the ocean in 2010. Of course, that’s in addition to what’s already there and what’s entered since. 

Bottled Water Use Increased During the Pandemic

While it makes sense that the 2020 COVID pandemic would lead to less water consumption due to the dramatic shortage of toilet paper, the opposite proved to be true: people were thirsty for more. Bottled water was particularly popular because of the ability to stockpile it coupled with the uncertainty the pandemic caused. The repercussions, unfortunately, fall on the environment. 

What is the Alternative?

You don’t have to choose between your family and the planet - there are alternative solutions. One of the easiest is investing in a filtration system. This allows you to purify your water without relying on plastic or widening your carbon footprint. Save the planet and drink in good health along the way. 

Vita Filters merges water purification with peace of mind. Contact us today to learn how we bring maximum contaminant removal and healthier, cleaner water straight to your front door.