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Parent Category: Lower-Intermediate News Lessons

Category: Environment Lessons

Written by Chris Cotter

Sales of bottled water have increased by 400% in the last twenty years. In the US, there was $11.7 billion in bottled water sales in 2007, and this was a record. More people selected water instead of soda, sugary juices, and caffeinated drinks like coffee. However, one liter of bottled water producesalmost half a pound of greenhouse gases. The energy used to make and ship bottled water could power 250,000 homes for a year, which is an unnecessary use of resources.

Bottled water can be useful, though. For example, water is a healthy alternative at large events for sports, festivals, and concerts because people need to drink something there. In areas without clean water, bottled water is even more beneficial. However, many people choose bottled water instead of tap water at home, even though both are equally healthy. Tap water costs a lot less too. In addition, there isn't much difference in taste between tap water and bottled water.

Many people recycle the plastic bottles, which helps the environment. But too many plastic bottles are thrown in the garbage, and which then go to the landfill - in the US, 3900 million pounds (1770 million kilograms). All of those empty water bottles don't let people efficiently reduce, reuse, and recycle resources.