Single-use plastic bottles are not worth the cost.It's not even closeWhen you reach for Aquafina or Dasani, remember that you are causing more environmental damage than if youre just filling up a glass of water from the tap.According to research published in the journal Science of the Total Environment, bottled water has a 1,400-fold higher impact on the environment that tap water. The cost of extracting the water needed to make bottled water for Barcelona residents would be 3500 times more than the cost of drinking municipal water. This is according to the Barcelona Institute for Global Health. Although it may seem obvious that plastic bottles are worse for the environment than using them, the real numbers regarding water bottles are alarming.FilterThis study is in response to increased water bottle use in Barcelona. Despite recent improvements in the safety and quality in tap water in the region, it's a local exploration into a worrying global trend.According to Cristina Villanueva, a researcher at the Barcelona Institute and lead author of the study, bottled water is not recommended for all health reasons. Although tap water is more harmful to local health, the benefits of drinking bottled water are minimal when you consider both.AdvertisementAdvertisementShe added that it is obvious that bottled water has greater environmental impacts than tap water.American ExceptionalismAccording to The Guardian, plastic bottles can be made in the United States using 17 million barrels oil. This problem extends far beyond the borders of Barcelona.Villanueva said that although this study may help reduce bottled water consumption in some areas, it is not enough. Bottled water is trusted by people because of the advertising that has done a great job convincing them it is a good choice. We need to make the effort on both sides.READ MORE: Bottled water has a greater environmental impact than tap water, up to 3500 times [The Guardian]AdvertisementAdvertisementMore plastic: Scientists say the world is approaching a non-reversible tipping point in plastic pollution
