New Yorkans urged to stay off the bottle...er the plastic bottle
The City of New York is trying to persuade its citizens to give up bottled drinks in favour of tap water to help protect the environment. It has launched an advertising campaign to promote the cause and local restaurants are being encouraged to join in.
According to environmental groups, four out of five plastic water bottles end up on landfill sites and the production process contributes to global warming. The distribution process sometimes involves shipping water halfway around the world.
[via BBC]
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New Yorkers, who are coping with a summer heatwave, are divided on the merits of the campaign. In a society where mineral water is seen as a serious health commodity, the idea may be difficult to swallow. However, restaurants in California have begun to serve only tap water and some in New York are looking to follow suit.
The Bottled Water Association says it is unfair to single out an industry that is promoting recycling and introducing biodegradable packaging. They’ve got a fair point, since most other packaging also ends up on landfill as well.
