Why don't you recycle?

[Feedmenow]

Washington state replaced paper/can/plastic recycling bins with all-purpose recycling that you can throw any recyclable item in. It's pretty neat stuff.

[Absolutely Virtue]

Oh I'm not for a minute saying I'm unbiased, lol. I obviously have an agenda (anti-consumption first, pro-reuse second, pro-recycle third). I was talking about unbiased data as the basis for the start of an argument- a respected source we could all agree on. I certainly wouldn't suggest anyone take any facts or figures I present at face value, because I'm a shitty source. Treat me with a high level of skepticism, lol.

I also use plastic water bottles when I travel, and supplies for emergencies makes sense in a lot of places. But believe me the water system is notoriously awful in DC, not just the taste but the level of impurities. But a water filter at home works wonders, saves money, and doesn't line the pockets of some water company that is just selling you tap water in the first place. I don't understand why more people don't use them.

[Alleya]

Who do you think makes the water filters?

[archibaldcrane]

I list a ton of perfectly valid reasons to have bottled water, and you just jump in with a stereotype, disregarding them.

gg

If you think that even 2% of bottled water sold is for people going to Mexico or stocking their emergency supply kits (ya know, valid reasons for bottled water), you're fucking ridiculous.

There are all kinds of water filtration systems out there for people with sub-par plumbing or "bad" municipal water - but people would rather buy and throw away shitloads of plastic at 20 ounces a pop.

[Absolutely Virtue]

Come on now, a water filter is good for 40 gallons of tap water. It comes out to less than 50 cents per gallon of water to basically get rid of the lead and the taste of god knows what in the DC tap system. I'm not saying that's ideal by any means, but it's infinitely cheaper than bottled water.

[Siniroth]

Water filters rock.

First option of the poll made me chuckle :D

[#686578]

Some people live in places with very poor quality municipal water. I've been in houses with fine plumbing where the water just plain tastes like rust. There's also the issue of travel--damn right I'm going to take bottled water to mexico. Don't forget emergencies (we get a few tornadoes here every year). And then probably the biggest reason to buy bottled water...........you can reuse the plastic bottles pretty much indefinitely to just hold tap or filtered water.

Also it's very interesting to me that you claim you try to be unbiased, then dismiss legitimate criticism as conspiracy theory, or in my case a "political agenda".

Irrational fear of tap water and the desire to feel like a member of the douchebag elite by drinking spring water directly from the mountain spring of "insert exotic land here"?

K, just making sure.

Bottled water is probably the greatest marketing trick ever accomplished.

What are you talking about, he just gave a very good and probably the best and most used reason for bottle water. I dont now anyone who would drink bottled water because it makes them look like a douche (i.e. fancy ooh look at me mountain spring water). Most people buy bottled water 1) So that they can take their water on the go easily and conveniently and 2) Because they're already on the go and would like a convenient way to have water.

That's not to say bottled water isnt a complete rip off, because it is, but you're paying for the convenience of having the bottle not for the water and I think everyone is smart enough to know that.

If you think that even 2% of bottled water sold is for people going to Mexico or stocking their emergency supply kits (ya know, valid reasons for bottled water), you're fucking ridiculous.

There are all kinds of water filtration systems out there for people with sub-par plumbing or "bad" municipal water - but people would rather buy and throw away shitloads of plastic at 20 ounces a pop.

I dont think anyone would rather do that... bottled water is expensive even when bought in bulk. I'd much rather just drink the tap water. You know what? I even drink the tap water out of gasp water fountains, and even where the water doesn't taste "purified."

I think water filters are just as much of a scam as bottled water is (in the good parts of the US where you have decent utilities).

[Correction]

OH NOES MAH TAXES, CANT HALP SVE THE WRLD CUZ ME MONIES

Darus' arguments are against poorly-designed and inefficient recycling programs that aren't good for the world at all AND increase the tax burden due to their inefficiencies. Get your head out of your ass for a minute to figure this out.

[Benevolentone]

I think that bottled water tastes disgusting personally and I really like the tap water that I have here in my city. I do not see why more people don't use metal/hard plastic water bottles that they can keep on them at all times. It is what I do and it is extremely convenient. Promoting a more long lasting alternative to bottled water would go a long way in saving plastic wouldn't it?

[archibaldcrane]

I do not see why more people don't use metal/hard plastic water bottles that they can keep on them at all times.

Because then you have to wash the bottles occasionally instead of throwing them away, and you don't get to look fancy with your mountain spring water, duh.

[#686578]

Or it's convenient, there's always that.

Dont see anyone trying to promote longer lasting more permanent containers for soda. Dont see anyone saying how awesome you look with a plastic soda bottle, but fuck, you get some water in that plastic soda bottle and shit. You got water in a bottle? That must be from a fucking mountain or some place.

[Arvin]

you kidding? i recycled so much in michigan because you get $ for cans and bottles so after big parties at school we used to recycle and get enough money to buy another dirty 30

[bossman]

I don't care. Fuck the Earth I'm moving to Mars.

[Baelorn]

Or it's convenient, there's always that.

Dont see anyone trying to promote longer lasting more permanent containers for soda.

Hrm.

[Darus Grey]

In fairness, fountain soda is dispensed via reusable pressure sealed metallic canisters.

Far as soda is concerned we should simply get rid of bottles, there's no compelling conviencep for then when we have such a large distribution system of the above.

Course same logic applies to wAter.

If only I could convince convience stores to let me fill my water bottle with cola instead of using their wasteful cups.

P.s. I recommend the documentary blue gold if you want to see how fuckedup the water industry is, available on netflix instNt wAtch.