After years of drinking bottled water, I finally came to my senses after seeing the documentary “Tapped” by Stephanie Soechtig. Even though I owned a water filter, I would still purchase bottled water for the convenience while on the go, at the beach, on vacation, at restaurants, etc. I never gave any thought to where the water came from, the contaminants that were leaching into the water from the bottle, or the environmental impacts that the plastic waste could have on our landfills or oceans. I never heard of the words BPA or phthalates and I didnt know that plastic bottles were made from petroleum products, that take millions of gallons of oil to produce, bottle and ship around the country and globe every day. I, like most folks, didnt have a clue. I had complete faith in the bottled water companies and figured I was drinking a safe, healthy alternative while away from my water filter at home. I liked (actually loved) the taste of my Aquafina and I never even thought twice about spending a dollar or more for it.
Then around March of this year, I heard about a documentary film called Tapped. I watched the trailer, then decided to purchase the movie. I anxiously awaited its arrival. When It finally came, I sat and watched it by myself. Here is a post I wrote on that day. http://www.thewaterfilterladysblog.com/2010/03/tapped-psa-plastic-soup.htmlThe Tapped film certainly opened my eyes to the horror of the bottled water industry and the effect bottled water is having on our planet. If you never watch another film I highly encourage you to see this documentary before opening your next bottle of water! This film has really affected me and changed my life. Since that day, I have not purchased one bottle of water, and only drink from my water filter. I have several stainless steel bottles that we use when we leave the house, and I now take my water filter with me while on vacation.
This is the kind of story that excites me. Gradually, one by one, ordinary people like you and me have learned just how silly, perhaps even dangerous, our addiction to bottled water was and made the switch to tap. It's the right thing to do, for the planet, for our pocketbooks, and for our health. Inspiring story! Thank you for posting it and for joining the conversation on Blog Action Day 2010: Water.
Thats great to hear Kathryn, I love it when people refuse bottled water. Those big companies that have turned a precious resource into a commodity really jerk my chain. Money and greed are what its all about. Its a shame when so many people in this world lack access to clean drinking water.
I was surprised when I read this blog. I didn't know that the plastic bottles were made from petroleum products. Reading blogs is definitely a good alternative way to learn.
I totally agree with Kathryn. And will surely look for that film Laura. The information you wrote excites my curiosity. I have been buying bottled waters for over 20 years.
Hopefully, many people will finally realize how harmful plastics are to the environment. Will definitely share this post and the film to my students and friends. I have also watched that film and must say that documentaries are really an eye opener.
Imagine how many people a day and how many people drink bottled water…sigh…I dont know what kind of step we will do to at least reduce the numbers. Anyways, I totally enjoyed my visit to your blog and will surely visit again to see more new articles. I'll just go and grab a copy of tapped. Thanks Again Laura
Im so happy to see people talking about something worth my time reading. I believe the that the world be a better place if we lessen the use of plastic and we should stop drinking bottled water.
The movie is great and it will widen your imagination about bottled water. Hope that everyone can watch this and surely they will second thoughts before drinking the bottled one.