The Life Cycle of a Plastic Water Bottle

The extensive and resource-intensive process required to produce a single-use plastic bottle is only rewarded an average working lifespan of 12 minutes! The long production process and even longer disposal timeline clearly outweigh the convenience of this item. This article will break down each step in the busy life of a plastic water bottle to paint an understanding of what goes on behind the scenes.

• THE MANUFACTURING OF SINGLE-USE PLASTIC BOTTLES FOR THE US ALONE (NOT INCLUDING TRANSPORTATION) USES MORE THAN 17 MILLION BARRELS OF OIL ANNUALLY ~ ENOUGH TO FUEL 1.3 MILLION CARS FOR A YEAR![1]

• MAKING A PLASTIC BOTTLE CAN REQUIRE SIX TO SEVEN TIMES THE AMOUNT OF WATER USED TO FILL THE BOTTLE.[2] MEANWHILE, 1 IN 8 PEOPLE DON’T HAVE ACCESS TO SAFE DRINKING WATER.[3]

• BOTTLING WATER RELEASED MORE THAN 5 MILLION TONS OF CO2 EMISSIONS IN 2006, NOT INCLUDING EMISSIONS RELEASED FROM TRANSPORTATION, LANDFILLS, OR DECOMPOSITION OF PLASTICS IN THE OCEAN.[4]

Please read the full article HERE.

#lifecycleanalysis #marineplasticpollution