Association Pushes Upside to Bottled Water Consumption

The International Bottled Water Assn. is working hard to justify the existance of bottled water, most recently with a video campaign that counters the belief that some bottled water is just water straight out of the tap. The association does a good job of making its case, even promoting bottle recycling at the same time. What the association fails to address in its greenwashing campaign, however, is the most important environmental challege related to bottled water: the dependence on petroleum for the production of plastic bottles. The majority of plastic bottles are made from petroleum and most are made from virgin plastic. Some companies are transitioning to bioplastics--plastics incorporating plant material--but these plastics require the use of large tracts of land and crops that require the use of large amounts of water, fuel and other resources.

And let's face it, most plastic bottles are never recycled--at least two-thirds according to many experts. Drive down the highway and you will see them everywhere. They clog landfills and pollute our oceans.

In my research for Green Lodging News, I frequently come across properties that are working hard to eliminate bottled water in guestrooms and meeting spaces. Some hotels have installed water filtration systems and provide filtered water in reusable glass bottles. One hotel executive I recently spoke with said his company was actually thinking about private labeling filtered water for use on-site. Many provide water in pitchers during meetings; bottled water certainly has no place in a "green" meeting.

How are you tackling the bottled water dilemma? Do you still provide it in your guestrooms in plastic containers? Last year I stayed at a "green" hotel that offered bottled water from Fiji. I was a bit shocked by it. What about in your beverage machines? Do you offer beverages in plastic containers? If so, do you make it easy for your guests to recycle the containers? Do you include signage with positive messages to promote recycling? Minimizing the presence of plastic bottles on your property is certainly the right thing to do. Why not make available reusable aluminum water containers? Bought in bulk, they are not that expensive.

The beverage companies, along with the International Bottled Water Assn., are going to do all they can to sell you on bottled water in plastic containers. Do all you can to avoid them.