Pretoria, South Africa – June 07, 2011 – According to the National Bottled Water Standards, South Africa's bottled water market was estimated to be worth more than R1.7-billion in 2009, and it is climbing. With South Africans choosing their water to be bottled, rather than from the tap, many do not know the impact of their expensive habit on the environment.
Pretoria, South Africa – June 07, 2011 – According to the National Bottled Water Standards, South Africa's bottled water market was estimated to be worth more than R1.7-billion in 2009, and it is climbing. With South Africans choosing their water to be bottled, rather than from the tap, many do not know the impact of their expensive habit on the environment.
There is a growing belief backed by an international trend that the introduction of tax on all plastic bottles sold, like the soda and bottled beverage tax already in place in certain parts of the USA, will curb excessive usage of bottled beverages, and bring awareness to consumers about their purchasing behaviour.
The government’s green policy sees South Africans taxed on plastic shopping bags, and among others, fuel-heavy cars. Why can’t the same be done for plastic bottles? Plastic bag taxes gathered for this year is estimated to be between R140 million and R190 million. About R65 million from this amount is expected to be used for environmentally-friendly projects and initiatives. If the same could be done with bottles, consumers would think twice about putting plastic bottles in the shopping trolley.
The cost of an expensive habit on the environment
According to the plastics manufacturing industry, producing one bottle of water requires 16 times its own volume in regular water and consumes about 20 percent of its volume in oil energy. Every liter of bottled water sold therefore represents three liters of water. Globally, 110 million barrels of oil are used to produce the plastic for soda and water bottles every year, and a staggering 2.7 million tons of plastic is used in bottle production per year. Furthermore, it takes 145 liters to produce one can of soda, or fizzy drink. With an average annual growth of the world’s bottled water industry estimated to be at 12 percent, these figures, already high, are set to increase.
The impact of bottled water versus tap water
Recently, The Swiss Gas Association commissioned a study comparing the environmental impact of bottled water versus tap water in an effort to truly understand whether drinking tap water is healthier for the planet than drinking bottled water. The study found that when comparing unrefrigerated, carbonated tap water with bottled mineral water, the environmental impact of bottled water is five to eight times higher than that of carbonated tap water.
South Africa’s tap water has achieved Blue Drop rating, which means our water is 96 percent clean and safe to drink, which is above the amount indicated for compliance. The Blue Drop report has been implemented by government to monitor the status of our drinking water.
“We are very fortunate to live in a country where we have constant access to drinking water of a very high standard. What could be more convenient than opening the tap and having instant drinkable water constantly? The case study’s findings are remarkable, and will hopefully encourage consumers to turn on the tap,” comments Guy Rogers from Sodastream, South Africa’s only home-carbonation system.
Why not just recycle?
While it is possible to recycle PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastic bottles, at least 77 percent of bottles in South Africa are not recycled and end up in landfill sites or are incinerated, which releases dangerous dioxin into the atmosphere as the plastic is heated. Further pollution is caused when the bottles are transported by road, using vital non-renewable fossil fuels and enlarging their carbon footprint. In the U.S. for example, a country leading in soda and bottled water consumption, the demand for plastic bottles requires enough oil to keep 100 000 cars on the road for a year.
What are the options?
An alternative to store-bought bottles and beverages that is environmentally-friendly and easier on one’s pocket is to make soda at home. The Swiss case study finds that although tap water is preferable to bottled beverages, a home soda water maker is an environmentally-friendly alternative for those who like carbonated water. The study cautions, though, that refrigeration of home carbonated beverages increases environmental impact substantially.
“Unfortunately, we have very low levels of PET recycling and a growing use of bottled drinks in this country. Where are all these bottles going to end up? Water is the ‘blue gold’ of the 21st century, a scarce commodity that is becoming scarcer. Does it make economic or environmental sense to use up to seven litres of water to produce a litre of ‘filtered water’?” asks Rogers.
Sodastream’s products are environmentally-friendly, are made from 80 percent recycled material and bottles are made from hyper-durable material that allows them to be constantly used and cleaned for at least three years. Recently, the company introduced biodegradable packaging for its Bio Bottle syrups range, which will allow its syrup containers to biodegrade into organic components in a landfill or compost facility in as little as five years. This initiative is yet another step which sees Sodastream leading the sustainability challenge in the beverage industry.
For more information, please visit www.sodastream.co.za.
About SodaStream
SodaStream International, Ltd. (NASDAQ: SODA), manufactures home beverage carbonation systems, which enable consumers to easily transform ordinary tap water instantly into carbonated soft drinks and sparkling water. Soda makers offer a highly differentiated and innovative solution to consumers of bottled and canned carbonated soft drinks and sparkling water. Our products are environmentally friendly, cost effective, promote health and wellness, and are customisable and fun to use. In addition, our products offer convenience by eliminating the need to carry bottles home from the supermarket, to store bottles at home or to regularly dispose of empty bottles. Our products are available at more than 40,000 retail stores in 41 countries around the world. For more information on SodaStream, please visit the Company's website: www.sodastream.com.
