Response to Take Back the Tap
To the Editor,
Your recent article (“Student organization struggles to eliminate bottled water without administration's support”; Nov 29) does not take in account why so many Americans choose bottled water and why it is a good option in addition to tap water. Nor does the piece address the opportunities Central Michigan provides its students to be good stewards of our environment.
The popularity of bottled water has not come at the expense of tap water. Millions of Americans drink water to stay hydrated as the body requires thanks to the convenience, quality and taste of bottled water. This is a good thing.
Bottled water companies do not simply “bottle” tap water or spring water. The water goes through a highly sophisticated purification system of distillation, deionization and reverse osmosis to remove impurities. Even spring water must undergo testing and the source of the water maintained for purity. This involves significant operational costs.
Bottled water bottles are 100 percent recyclable, even the caps, and are among the most recycled consumer packaging products in the country. Water bottles make up just one-third of 1 percent of all waste produced in the United States.
At Central Michigan, recycling is part of the university’s culture. The Central Michigan handbook tasks all members of the university community to sort recyclable materials and place them in the bins distributed across campus. The city also offers curbside bin pickup for $1.50 a month for off-campus students.
The bottled water industry supports a strong public water system and encourages all consumers to recycle responsibly. People are drinking more water today because of bottled water, and we should encourage this trend.
Sincerely,
Derek Bajema
President, Michigan Soft Drink Association
