The Dilemma Of Bottled Water Consumption
Economic Value versus Environmental Harm
Genevieve Amofah Bediako (MPH)
Walden University
PUBH 6165-4- Environmental Health
Instructor: Stephen Arnold
Summer Quarter (2011)
TABLE OF CONTENT
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Title and Aim of presentation
Table of Content
Abstract
Research Methodology
Introduction
-About bottled water
-More about water
-Safety in the bottle
-Earliest packaging types used
-New face of bottled water(PET Packaging)
Bottled water an Economic commodity
-Economic commodity continued
Divisions of the bottled water industry
Top ten countries of bottled water
consumption 2007
Global bottled water Market
US bottled water Market
Environmental concerns
Plastic waste- A menace of bottled water
consumption.
-Continuation on plastic waste
Bottle Deposit law- California Beverage
Container Recycling and Litter Reduction
Act
(AB 2020)
Picture- Beautiful State of California
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Environmental Air Pollution
Tracing carbon footprints in bottled water
production
Nestle water North America carbon
emission breakdown 2010
Nestlé's action plan to reduce CO2
footprint.
Success of Nestles Waters Action Plan
Contamination and Depletion of Ground
Water Sources.
Regulation and regulatory bodies
The Food AND Drugs Agency (FDA)
regulations on bottle water.
Standards: The Safety in Bottled Water
Standards: Quality Assurance process
used by Nestle waters
Intervention models to address
environmental impact
of bottled water.
Proposed Environmental Stewardship
Measures.
Conclusion
References
ABSTRACT
The emergence of bottled water is seen as a blessing in disguise: hailed as an economic
gem at some point and attacked for being an environmental foe.
Amidst these mixed reactions, one fact remains uncontested: that the bottled water
industry is an invaluable sector of the global economy today. Successive progress and
expanding market of the bottled water industry supports the fact that bottled water is
a needed economic commodity. According to Beverage Marketing Corporation,
worldwide consumption reached 41 billion gallons in 2004, an increase of 57% in five
years; an even higher consumption of 53 billion gallons in 2009 representing a
compound annual growth of 5.5%. In 2015, the global bottled water market is forecast
at a volume of 182,782 million liters, an increase of 19.9% since 2010, representing an
estimated global market value of $126,284.8 million, an increase of 27.1% since 2010.
Environmentalists condemn bottled water as wasteful and deemed an “Eco-sin‟. This
presentation will give an insight into this issue, discuss legitimate arguments of
environmental impact of the bottled water industry; consumer views and bottling water
companies will be analyzed. Potential interventions for addressing these issues are
further discussed.
Bottled Water: Global Industry Guide 2011. Source: http://www.datamonitor.com/store/
Product/bottled_water_global_industry_guide_2011?
Research Methodology
Ideally, this presentation would have immensely
benefited from direct objective views of consumers and
distributors. Due to resource and time constraints, we
relied on extensive online researches, literature reviews
of experts and stakeholders of the bottled water
industry. Harnessing available information, data from
the International bottled water Association (IBWA), the
Food and Drug Agency (FDA), Nestle waters North
America and a host of valuable sources will be
discussed.
Introduction
EVOLUTION OF BOTTLED WATER
 It began with European Spas
-Commercialization of bottled water started in Europe in the 1700s
-The early 1900s led to a global exportation of bottled water
-The Americas begun bottled water production in the 1900s
-Earliest brands include:
Evian, San Pellegrino,Perrier,Vittel, Spas.
Bottled Water. Source:http://water.columbia.edu/?id=learn_more&navid=bottled_water
About Bottled Water
Water is classified as "bottled water" when it
meets all applicable federal and state standards,
is sealed in a sanitary container and is sold for
human consumption- International Bottled
water Association (IBWA)
The united states code of federal
regulations- 21 CFR 165.110 ,
defines bottled water as drinking water with no
additives, except for optional
antimicrobial agents or fluoride.
Types: Mineral Water, Aquifer/Spring Water
Distilled /Purified Water, Artesian Water,
Sparkling Water
Reference: What is bottled water. http://www.bottledwater.org/content/what-bottled-water; Posnick, L.M. Henry, K. February/March 2002 Ask the Regulators -Bottled Water Regulation and the FDA. Source: http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/Product-
More about Bottled Water:
Consumers of bottled water
Households
Workers
Travellers
Athletes
Emergency Aids/Victims
Sources of Bottled water:
Underground water &
Public water systems
 Why consumers choose bottled
water:
The international bottled water association
(IBWA) describes bottled water as a
choice of beverage suitable for hydration,
refreshment, safety, taste and convenience.
 Sanitary and Healthy (No additives)
 Portability and Convenience
 Aesthetic Quality ( Taste & color)
Reference: What is bottled water. Retrieved from http://www.bottledwater.org/content/what-bottled-water
Routine sample testing is one of the many
checks performed in bottled water
production to ensure its safety
The promise of water purity in bottled
water is the success drive of the industry
Safety in the bottle
Earliest Packing Types Used
New face of bottled water
(PET- Packaging)
CLICK FOR SOURCE
Bottled Water: An Economic Commodity
A commodity has economic value when people are willing to
pay for it.
- People pay 1-$3 a gallon for bottled water (Lenzer, 1997)
Economic Value:
Revenue generation (National GDP, Taxes)
- 200 billion bottles of water are consumed globally with an
estimated 50 billion consumed in the U. S per annum.
- Americans spend $11 billion on bottled water every year
Retrieved from http://www.bottledwater.org/news/ibwa-rebuttal-corporate-accountabilityLenzer, R. (1997): “A monster beverage event”. Forbes Magazine, October 20, 1997.
Economic value of bottled water-Continued
Employment Creation
163, 000 job avenues
-18,040 jobs in bottled water wholesale in every U.S state;
over 89,050 employees in the retail sector
Over 530,000 supplier and ancillary jobs
-256,000 jobs with supplier firms
Philanthropy and Social Contributions
-Nestlé Waters North America's Good Neighbor Policy
-Nestle sponsors of the ING New York City Marathon
-Nestle partners with Canada’s Public Spaces Program
Click for source
Reference: http://www.guerrillaeconomics.biz/bottledwatermatters/Methodololgy.pdf
Nestlé Waters North America Water and Financial Donations. http://npd.nestle-watersnasponsor.com/
Divisions of the bottled water industry
 The Beverage Marketing Corporation defines the
bottled water market segment as:
 Retail PET
 Retail bulk
 Home and office delivery
 Vending, domestic sparkling water
 Imported bottled water brands
Reference: "Smaller categories still saw growth as the U.S. liquid refreshment beverage market shrank by 2.0% in 2008”.
Beverage Marketing Corporation reports“.(2009) . Retrieved from http://www.beveragemarketing.com/?section=news&newsID=111
Top 10 countries of bottled water
consumption in 2007.
Data source: Beverage Marketing Corporation, 2008, in: International Bottled Water Association (IBWA)
Environmental Concerns
Criticisms of the bottle water industry include:
 Plastic waste and littering
 The problem of carbon footprint
 Depletion of public water sources
 Environmental wear from ground water extraction
Plastic Waste: A menace of bottled water
consumption
Rich Pedroncelli/AP file. Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5279230/ns/us_newsenvironment/t/plastic-bottles-pile-mountains-waste/
Continuation on Plastic Waste
 60 Million plastic bottles are disposed daily in the U.S making up 90
percent of plastic waste that end up in landfills. (UCS, 2007)
 Landfilled bottles may take 400 to 1,000 years to degrade (Arnold and
Larsen, 2006; Owen, 2006)
 Non biodegradable plastic bottles end up as litters on streets, parks,
urban cities creating sanitation problems.
 An estimated 10 percent of plastic waste end up in the Ocean Plastic
contaminating the ocean and killing aquatic life.
 Over a million seabirds, and more than 100 thousand marine
mammals, die every year from ingesting plastic debris. (UN
Environmental Program)
 MARPOL Annex V - The International Convention for the Prevention
of Pollution from Ships prohibits disposal of plastics from vessels.
References: Pacific ocean plastic waste dump. Source: http://ecology.com/ecology-today/2008/08/14/pacific-plastic-waste-dump/
Oceans-coral reefs. (2011) Source: http://www.thinkglobalgreen.org/coralreefs.html
Bottle Deposit Law-California Beverage Container
Recycling and Litter Reduction Act (AB 2020)
Recycling- a viable solution to plastic waste and an avenue of job creation.
-recycling, re-use, and composting is estimated to create six to ten times as many jobs
as waste incineration and landfills. (Clean Air Council)
Recycling saves 3 to 5 times the energy generated by waste-to-energy plants,
even without counting the wasted energy in the burned materials. (Clean Air Council)
California Beverage Container Recycling and Litter Reduction Act
(AB 2020) – The act , enacted in 1986 and implemented in 1987 aims at increasing
recycling and reducing litter.
-To ensure this objective, the bill charges deposit fees of 10¢: 24oz. and greater)
and (5¢: under 24oz)
-Other fees include handling fees, processing payment fees, unredeemed deposits .
-The act covers alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages; bottled water is categorized
under the latter.
Success: Since implementation of the deposit program, California's beverage container
recycling rates have increased significantly, from an overall 52% in 1988 to 82% in 2010
Click for Source
Environmental Air Pollution
Environmental impact:
Massive amounts of greenhouse gases are produced from the
manufacturing of plastic bottles (PET)
-Manufacturing 2 million tons of water bottles, releases more than 800,000 metric tons of
greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, contributing to global climate change.
The manufacture of one kilogram of PET releases 40 grams of
hydrocarbons, 25 grams of sulfur oxides, 18 grams of carbon
monoxide, 20 grams of nitrogen oxides, and 2.3 kilograms of carbon
dioxide into the air.
:
Too Many Plastics- It’s a waste. Retrieved from
http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/materials_minerals_pdf/waterbottles.pdf
Life - Cycle study. Bottled Water (2004) World watch Institute
Sohttp://www.worldwatch.org/brain/media/pdf/pubs/mag/EP172C.pdfurce
Beautiful State of California
Tracing Carbon Footprint in Bottled Water
Production
 The bottled water industry produces carbon gases on several
levels:
 An estimated total of 32 million to 54 million barrels of oil is required to generate
the energy to produce bottled water ; combustion of this amount of oil expends
unimaginable units of CO2
 The burning fuel in the production of the PET bottles for packaging water emits
CO2 into the atmosphere.
 Transportation of material for production and distribution of bottled water
involves fuel combustion and release of carbon footprint.
 Bottles that end up in landfills and environment , when incinerated, produces toxic
fumes and releases CO2.
IBWA REBUTTAL TO CORPORATE ACCOUNTABILITY INTERNATIONAL’S FLAWED
REPORT: “TAPPING CONGRESS TO GET OFF THE BOTTLE
Source: http://www.bottledwater.org/news/ibwa-rebuttal-corporate-accountability-international-sflawed-report-tapping-congressget-bottle
Nestlé Waters North America Carbon Emissions
Breakdown- 2010
Non-Pet Plastic
Bottles
19%
Transportation & Fuel
19%
Consumer Use and
Disposal
9%
Pet plastic Bottles
30%
Energy Use
16%
Based on total emissions
of 2,128,326 tons C02e
Modified Chart: 2009 Nestlé Waters North America GHG Inventory,
Clear Carbon by Deloitte Consulting
Supplier
manufactoring
Processes
6%
Nestlé's action plan to reduce CO2 footprint
 On-Site Bottle Production
 Eco-Shape Bottle
 Direct Shipping
 Regional Distribution
 Carrier Equipment
Retrieved from: http://www.nestlewatersna.com/MeasuringOurFootprint.htm
Success of Nestlé's Waters Action Plan: “Over the period of 20062009, our emissions decreased 3% despite an increase in our
business. On a normalized basis (adjusted for growth), our
emissions actually decreased 12%”
http://www.nestle-watersna.com/MeasuringOurFootprint.htm
Contamination and Depletion of Ground
Water Sources
 Ground water is largely used in bottled water; groundwater can be
considered as a non-renewable‟ resource (Foster &Loucks, 2006)
 Aquifers and other ground water overexploitation by the bottled water
industry strain and depletes ground water resources.
-Bottled water industries may pump up to more than 500 gallons of water per
minute from every well. (Howard, 2003)
-The Pacific Institute (2007) estimates that one liter of bottled water sold
represents three liters of water used.
 Water bottling process involves the use of chemicals and effluents for
bottle washing, released without treatment , it can contaminated
groundwater, creating a water crisis for communities.
Click for source
Regulations and Regulatory Bodies.
 The bottled water industry in Europe became regulated mid nineteenth century.
 Bottled water is regulated under The Food Safety Act (1990) by the European Food
Standards Agency; The Environment Agency issues and monitors abstraction
licensing in Europe.
 Regulation of bottled water in the United States begun in 1938 under the Federal
Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act; bottled water is classified as packaged food.
 The United States Food and Drug Agency (FDA) is the main regulatory body
ensuring the safety standards of bottled water.
 Other active regulatory bodies include: State and local government agencies, The
International Bottled Water Association (IBWA), The bottled water web, The
National Sanitation Fund (NSF), The National Resources Defense Council (NRDC)
Retrieved from: http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/Product-SpecificInformation/BottledWaterCarbonatedSoftDrinks/ucm077079.htm.
Bottled water information (2011) Article retrieved from http://www.bottledwaterinformation.co.uk/default.asp?section=5
The Food and Drug Agency (FDA)
Regulations on Bottled Water
FDA regulates bottled water based on the provisions in Title 21 of the Code of Federal
Regulations (21 CFR), including standard of identity regulations (21 CFR § 165.110[a])
that define different types of bottled water, such as spring water and mineral water,
and standard of quality regulations (21 CFR §165.110[b]) which establishes allowable
levels for contaminants (chemical, physical, microbial and radiological) in bottled
water.
The Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) are regulations guiding the
processing and bottling water with detailed standard of quality. (21 CFR part 129).
Labeling regulations (21 CFR part 101) and CGMP regulations (21 CFR part 110) for
foods in general also apply to bottled water.
Posnick, L.M., Kim, H. (2002) Ask the Regulators- Bottled Water Regulation and the FDA. Retrieved from:
http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/Product-SpecificInformation/BottledWaterCarbonatedSoftDrinks/ucm077079.htm
Standards: The Safety in Bottled Water
 The IBWA set safety standards to ensure purity and highest quality of
bottled water. These standards are implemented through measures
such as:
 Using a multi –barrier approach from source to finished product
(source protection, source monitoring, reverse osmosis, distillation,
filtration, piping in and out of plants, storage silos, ultraviolet (UV)
light.
 Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) for quality
assurance. (Risk identification, control measures for specific biological,
chemical and physical agents)
 Monitoring sources and facilities for safety and security conditions.
(protecting water sources from contamination, depletion, etc.)
Reference: IBWA Position Statement: Measures Used to Produce and Process Bottled Water are Effective in
Protecting from Pharmaceutical Contamination (2008) Source:
http://www.prweb.com/releases/IBWA/bottled_water/prweb765014.htm
Standards: Quality Assurance Process used
by Nestle
•
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Source selection and monitoring
Source water receiving and monitoring
Water storage and monitoring
Micro filtering
Ozone Disinfection
Bottling Control
Packaging Control
Line Sanitation Practices
Plant Quality Control
Corporate Quality Assurance
Click for Source
Intervention models to address the
environmental impact of bottled water
Public Health Intervention Model:
Awareness creation on harmful environmental impact of bottled
water- plastic waste, CO2 emission and air pollution.
Providing adequate facilities, resources for disposal and recycling
plastic bottles.
Promoting local production and consumption of bottled water.
Using Eco friendly packaging for bottling water.
Invest in Public water in infrastructure
Proposed Environmental Stewardship Measures
Advocate for stringent regulations and programs of recycling
like the bottle deposit bill in all US states.
By virtue of its environmental impact, bottled industries should
be accountable to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
to ensure a more effective regulation and management of
plastic waste and depletion of water resources.
Establish quotas, incentive, penalties for reducing carbon
footprint for bottled water companies.
Implement stringent management and water monitoring Laws.
-Example: Directive 2003/40/EC ; The Directive 2009/54/EC
European Directive 2009/54/EC (2009). Retrieved from http://eur-lex.europa.eu /LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri
Conclusion
Amidst the heat of anti bottle water global campaign, the
future of bottled water industry remains promising:
At an estimated global market value of 126,284.8 million in
2015, the industry’s predicted growth is pegged at 27.1
percent from 2010 (Datamonitor Report- Global Industry
Guide 2011)
Conversely, the voice of anti- bottled water groups has had
its impact: the emergence of new innovations in effort to cut
down on harmful environmental impact of the bottled water
industry. These include products like refillable water bottles,
dispenser filters, vending machine dispensers, biodegradable
PET bottles and other light weight eco friendly bottle
packaging, among others.
Click for source
References
Bottled Water: Global Industry Guide 2011. Retrieved July 20, 2011 from
http://www.datamonitor.com/store/
Bottled Water. Retrieved July 20, 2011 from
http://water.columbia.edu/?id=learn_more&navid=bottled_water
Bottle Water. World Watch; Mar/Apr2004, Vol. 17 Issue 2, preceding p1, 1p, 3 Color
Photographs. Retrieved July 20, 2011 from
http://web.ebscohost.com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/ehost/
Bottle Deposit Law-California Beverage Container Recycling and Litter Reduction Act
(AB 2020) -1987. Source: http://www.bottlebill.org/legislation/usa/california.htm
Dunham, J. and Associates, Inc.(2009)The International Bottled Water Association
Economic Impact. Retrieved July 20, 2011 from
http://www.guerrillaeconomics.biz/bottledwatermatters/Methodololgy.pdf
Fitzgerald, Ed. (2008) Pacific Ocean Plastic Waste Dump. Retrieved July 20, 2011 from
http://ecology.com/ecology-today/2008/08/14/pacific-plastic-waste-dump
Global Bottled Water Market to Reach $65.9 Billion by 2012. (2010) Retrieved July 20,
2011 from http://www.borealwater.com/boreal_water_news/2010/06/global-bottledwater-market-to.php?var=news
Global bottled water market. Leading countries consumption and compound annual
growth rate (CAGR) 2004-2009. Retrieved July 20, 2011. Data source: Beverage
Marketing Corporation
References
IBWA’s rebuttal to corporate accountability international’s flawed report: “tapping
congress to get off the bottle” Retrieved July 20, 2011 from
http://www.bottledwater.org/news/ibwa-rebuttal-corporate-accountabilityinternational-sflawed-report-tapping-congress-get-bottle
Life - Cycle study. Bottled Water (2004) World watch Institute. Retrieved July 20,
2011 fromhttp://www.worldwatch.org/brain/media/pdf/pubs/mag/EP172C.pdf
Marketing Corporation, 2008, in: International Bottled Water Association (IBWA)
Moeller, D. W. (2005). Environmental health (3rd ed.). Boston: Harvard University
Press. Chapters 7: Drinking Water.
Nestlé Waters North America Water and Financial Donations. Retrieved July 20, 2011
from http://npd.nestle-watersnasponsor.com/
Measuring our Footprint-Nestle Waters North America. (2010 Report) Retrieved July
20, 2011 from http://nestlewatersnorthamerica.com/MeasuringOurFootprint.htm
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. “Too many bottles-it’s a
waste”. Retrieved July, 20, 2011 from
www.health.state.ny.us/environmental/water/drinking/bulk_bottle/bottled_faqs.htm
NOAA International Efforts to Reduce Marine Debris and Build Capacity. Retrieved
July 20, 2011 from http://marinedebris.noaa.gov/about/international.html#marpol
References
Pacific ocean plastic waste dump. Source: http://ecology.com/ecologytoday/2008/08/14/pacific-plastic-waste-dump/Oceans-coral reefs. (2011) Retrieved July
20, 2011 from http://www.thinkglobalgreen.org/coralreefs.html
Posnick, L.M. Henry, K. (2002 )Ask the Regulators -- Bottled Water Regulation and the
FDA. Retrieved July 20, 2011 from http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/ProductRich Pedroncelli/AP file(2005) Plastic bottles pile up as mountains of waste .Americans'
thirst for portable water is behind drop in recycling rate”. Retrieved July 20, 2011 from
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5279230/ns/us_news-environment/t/plastic-bottles-pilemountains-waste
Top 10 Countries of bottled water consumption. Retrieved July 20, 2011 from
Beverage Marketing Corporation, 2008, in: International Bottled Water Association
(IBWA)
US bottled water Market. Volume and Producer Revenues. 2001-2009. Retrieved July
20, 2011 from Beverage Marketing Corporation, 2008, in: International Bottled Water
Association.
What is bottled water. Retrieved July 20, 2011 from
http://www.bottledwater.org/content/what-bottled-water
References
Supplemental References:
Arnold, E. and Larsen, J. (2006). Bottled water: pouring resources down the drain. Earth
Policy Institute. Retrieved from http://www.earth-policy.org/Updates/2006/Update51.htm
Carbon Trust. (2008). Carbon Foot printing takes major step forward with 7 new
companies committing to carbon count their products. Published February 4th, 2008.
Retrieved July 20, 2011, from
http://www.carbontrust.co.uk/News/presscentre/2008/seven-new-companies-carboncount.htm
Faris, J. and Hart, K., Seas of Debris: A Summary of the Third International Conference
on Marine Debris, N.C. Sea Grant College Program and NOAA, 1994, 54p. Retrieved
July 20, 2011 from http://nsgl.gso.uri.edu/cgi-bin/zgate
The story of bottled water. Retrieved from http://storyofstuff.org/bottledwater/
Produced by The Story of Stuff Project CA, USA
THE END
Your questions, comments and contributions are highly welcome.
email: genevieve.amofahbediako@waldenu.edu
Ps: Enjoy with a slide show!
Thank You