Bad to ban bottled water

I’ve always opposed bans on bottled water, not just on health grounds – most of us should hydrate more and consume less calories – but also on environmental grounds.

These arguments are very much supported by the latest US findings of recent research from Beverage Marketing Corporation and the International Bottled Water Association.

• PET water bottles are 100% recyclable including the cap.

• The average weight of a single-serve bottle is 59% less than for other packaged beverages, partly because carbonation requires thicker material.

• Bottled water accounts for 55% of PET containers collected in US kerbside systems.

• Since 2006, 69% of bottled water growth has come from carbonated soft drinks and fruit juice.

Moreover, if bottled water were banned, 74% would choose another packaged drink, most with calories.

Richard Hall