By Justine Carmine
Lifestyles Editor
Lately we have been overwhelmed with the trend of ‘going green’. While it is great to go green for the environment and the well-being of our earth, some people take it too far. A group of students from the University of Ontario Institute of Technology have formed a group called Boycott the Bottle. The purpose of their group is not only to raise awareness on the environmental, health, and social issues involving the purchase and consumption of bottled water but to reduce the consumption of bottled water altogether.
The main reason for this boycott is that bottled water is harmful to the environment. There are massive amounts of fossil fuels burned in the production and transportation of bottled water which contributes to global warming. It is also because many people do not recycle their bottles and they end up in landfills and release toxins into the earth.
Boycott the Bottle also raises awareness that drinking bottled water can actually be harmful to your health. Most water bottles are made from polyethylene terephthate or PET. The toxin antimony is used in the production of PET and with time, can leach into the water. If consumed, antimony can cause headaches, dizziness, depression, vomiting, and, in rare cases, death. However, these occurrences are very rare and the modern manufacturing methods are preventing this occurrence.
Boycott the Bottle is completely overlooking the benefits from bottled water. Firstly, the tap water in some areas may not be suitable for drinking. In these areas, bottled water is the only way that one can drink water. Also, if you plan to travel and are unsure of the quality of drinking water in that area, packing bottled water is safer than drinking questionable water.
Another benefit of bottled water is that it helps in an emergency. In an event such as a hurricane, snowstorm, or any other natural disaster, keeping bottled water handy is a good way to ensure that you do not become dehydrated.
There are so many options when it comes to bottled water: Now, water is being enhanced with vitamins and minerals such as calcium, iron, and folic acid. This helps raise the daily intake of vitamins one may not get on a daily basis. Bottled water is actually beneficial to your health.
Realistically, any form of water is essential to one’s daily diet and overall well-being. If you do choose bottled water as your drink of choice, please remember to recycle the bottle. Your body and mother nature will be thanking you.