Reaching out for plastic bottled water has become a way of life in our modern-day lives. But did you know that this tiny bottle is one of the leading causes of pollution in the land and ocean globally? A majority of used plastic bottles enter the landfill and remain there for a thousand years, as that’s how long they take to biodegrade. The rest end up in oceans.

Our oceans are choking with the excessive plastic pollution they are subjected to, destroying and injuring a huge portion of marine life. The presence of microplastics which can be ingested, makes these bottles a threat to your health as well. In this blog, we delve into the environmental impacts of overconsuming plastic bottles, as well as how they affect human health negatively. We will also discover some solutions to reduce this deadly menace, such as switching to a water purifier on rent.

The alarming consumption rate of plastic water bottles 

  • Billions of plastic water bottles are consumed worldwide annually and the resultant plastic waste finds its way to landfills and oceans damaging the fragile ecosystem, flora, and fauna. 
  • According to worldmetrics.org, a whopping eight million metric tons of plastic waste ends up in our oceans annually and a large chunk of these are plastic water bottles. 
  • Plastic bottles take up to 1000 years to decompose, which means the bottle is that you so casually dispose of, will still be around long after you are gone. Another alarming concern is the case of microplastics.
  • A single plastic bottle can break down into nearly 10000 pieces of microplastics.

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Environmental impact of plastic water bottles

  • Marine pollution: Plastic bottles are one of the top contributors to oceanic pollution. The plastic bottles which break into tiny pieces of microplastics get ingested by the marine organisms, affecting their health and consequently the robustness of the food chain and biodiversity.
  • Discharge of greenhouse gas: Large quantities of fossil fuels like oil, are needed to produce these plastic bottles. The process of production and transportation of these bottles, cause a large amount of greenhouse gas emissions. This means that the process of production of these bottles, releases large amounts of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, and transportation which includes movement of raw materials, production, or distribution, significantly adds up to more greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Depletion of natural resources: Ironically, the production of bottled water requires up to three times the amount of water in the bottle. Also, these water production plants extract water from groundwater sources, thereby depleting natural resources.
  • Recycling woes: Only a minimum quantity of discarded plastic bottles gets recycled, as it is a relatively complex and expensive process. Recycling involves collecting, sorting, cleaning, and turning plastic into granules before they can be turned into new products. Recycling also involves the use of toxic chemicals, which can be harmful to the environment.

How plastics affect human health?

  • One of the invisible but harmful pollutants that have recently made its appearance known is tiny microplastics. Microplastics are plastic microparticles which are less than 5 millimeters in diameter. 
  • The problem occurs when the microplastics come loose from the bottles and get mixed with the water that we drink. Its tiny size prevents it from being visible in the water. 
  • The microplastics can form during production and get into the bottle of water. During transportation, they can be released into the water due to friction between the bottles. Exposure to high temperatures can also cause these microplastics to break free and enter the water. 
  • Some studies claim that microplastics can harm human health. There have been reports that suggest that microplastics can affect the hormonal and immune systems and even cause fertility issues. Microplastics also contain toxic substances which can affect human health negatively. 

How can we solve this problem of plastic bottles?

  • Raising awareness: Educate yourself and inform those around you, of the detrimental effects of plastic pollution. Discourage the use of single-use plastics in your home and workplace. Every individual effort counts in the race against pollution. Only an informed society can take collective action, to reduce plastic pollution and help our environment and ocean recover from the effects of plastic pollution
  • Initiatives: Supporting measures that discourage the use of single-use plastic bottles, carrying reusable water bottles when you go out, etc. can bring about positive changes. 
  • Adopt alternative measures to reduce the use of bottles: There are various ways in which you can ensure that you and your family can get access to safe water, without compromising on convenience. An advanced model water purifier for home is your best bet, as it purifies water and safeguards you against all contaminants including microplastics. 
  • If investing in an expensive purifier is out of your budget, then RO water purifier on rent can be your go-to solution. When you rent RO water purifier, you are saved from making all the big expenses like the appliance cost, installation, and maintenance cost, as they are borne by the company.
  • You only pay an initial deposit, which is lower than the cost of the appliance, and then a monthly subscription fee, depending on the liters of water that you consume. It is a good option, if you relocate frequently or are in temporary accommodation, as you do not have the hassle of getting your purifier shifted each time. You simply return the appliance and get a new one at your new location. 
  • Some water purifier rental brands like DrinkPrime, also let you choose the best RO water purifier for home, as you can choose to upgrade your appliance to the newest model, without any expenses. What is more, maintenance and servicing are taken care of by the company.

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Conclusion

The environmental impact of plastic water bottles is significant enough, to cause major damage to not only our environment and our fragile ecosystem, but also to our health. Changing our water consumption habits is essential to bring about a change. Small but powerful habits like carrying a reusable water bottle, switching to a purification system, etc. will help in preserving our precious planet and resources for future generations. 

If you’re looking for a reliable water purifier for your home, look no further than DrinkPrime! With our cutting-edge technology and affordable subscription plans, you and your family can enjoy clean, safe, and healthy drinking water 24/7.

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