Coming clean on bottled water
Re: Tap water versus a flood of plastic (Column, NewsLeader, Aug. 20)
I read with interest the column written by Anne Hopkinson.
In the piece, Ms. Hopkinson makes a number of observations that require clarification.
Encorp Pacific reported that, as of December 2009, more than 75 per cent of plastic beverage containers, including bottled water, were diverted from landfills in British Columbia. And, according to numerous studies on the subject, these containers account for less than one-fifth of one per cent of the waste stream.
They also make up less than 15 per cent of abandoned materials found in public spaces.
That said, the Canadian beverage industry is investing heavily to establish public spaces recycling programs across Canada, which includes continuous public education related to recycling and littering.
Quebec is in the final year of a program that is diverting more than 80 per cent of recyclable materials from the waste stream.
The first permanent program in North America was established by the industry in Manitoba this past spring.
Successful pilots have taken place in Ontario—and another is underway in Nova Scotia.
The industry is poised to initiate a pilot in British Columbia.
Further, according to independent research firm Quantis International (www.quantis-intl.com), bottled water has the lightest environmental footprint of any bottled beverage.
The average bottle of water travels less than 250 km from source to shelf.
Compare that to 2,400 to 3,200 km for fresh fruit and vegetables and most consumer packaged goods, according to Washington agricultural consultant Dan Murphy
http://www.bclocalnews.com/opinion/102572119.html
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