The Water Bottle Problem

Alexander F Bouri may be better known for his company Seament, one of the world's leading cement trading companies, but he isn't just focusing on cement anymore.  Alexander F Bouri sits on the Board of Directors of Envipco, a global recycling company that is working to change the way people use materials and view recycling.  The company focuses its attention on plastic beverage containers.  They're creating recycling incentives for both companies and consumers in hopes of getting people serious about recycling their water bottles.

Plastic bottles are one of the most recycled plastic products; they have a recycling rate of 28%.   Some people reading this may wonder why so much attention is being paid to plastic drink containers.  After all, they've been around for such a long time and more will always be produced, so what does it matter if a few get recycled or make it into a landfill?  You'd be surprised by just how much of a difference can be made if you chose to recycle that used Poland Springs Bottle

Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Since you chose to throw away your water bottle instead of recycling it, another one has to be made in its place.  If the company chooses to not use recycled plastics in its bottles new materials must be extracted and processed, and that bottle making process releases a lot of greenhouse gases.  Don't think that one bottle could produce that much greenhouse gas? The manufacture and transportation of a single one kilogram bottle of Fji brand water emits 562 grams (1.2 pounds) of greenhouse gases.

Energy Conservation

Making new plastic products from recycled plastic materials can use two-thirds less energy than making products from raw materials.  Recycling plastic essentially frees up that 2/3rds of energy that can now be put to better use.  Recycling your water bottles can also help save oil.  The United States loves waters bottles, so much so that 1.5 million barrels of oil are needed to meet the demand of U.S. water bottle manufacturing. 

Next time you think about tossing that water bottle in the trash instead of the recycling bin, try to remember just how much raw material and energy is needed to make a single bottle. If you keep that in mind, you'll be a bit more eager to put your old water bottles in the right bin.