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NEWS Break Away From Bottled Water ML gives you the facts on why bottled water is a waste --depleting your bank account and the environment Words by Matthew Weeks When I think green, I think money. Whether it's Washington's crinkled ascot on the $1, Lincoln's scruffy beard on the $5, Hamilton's tweed jacket on the $10, or Jackson's wavy locks on the $20, the color green represents an element of wealth I aspire to achieve. In addition to its economic implications, green also symbolizes Earth's future as an eco- friendly planet. However, this monumental initiative is only obtained through a bevy of fresh and innovative ideas. Examples of this concept include the implementation of energy efficient products as well as the conservation of natural resources. One of the most effective strategies to reduce the deterioration of our planet is to halt the production of bottled water; of which 88% of empty plastic bottles are not recycled. In addition to this prominent recycling absence, each polyethylene bottle can transmit potentially dangerous chemicals (eg, fertilizers, pharmaceuticals, disinfectants, etc…) if reheated or reused. The Land of the Free, Home of the Brave (made famous by the aforementioned presidents) also faces a serious problem with the universal transportation of bottled water. In order to reach the Red, White, and Blue's preposterous production demands, it requires roughly 18 million barrels of oil, plus transit expenses, to expedite the delivery of bottled water. Speaking of shipping costs, approximately 37,800 semi- Another cardinal reason why Americans "...the Environmental Protection Agency abides by stricter quality standards for tap water than the Food and Drug Administration does with its bottled water counterpart." trucks drive across the country distrubiting crates of bottled water on a weekly basis. When you finish the arithmetic, that's almost 2 million semi-trucks, polluting the atmosphere and destroying the Ozone, on the road each calendar year. should avoid this overhyped bottled water crusade is because our nation's tap water is the safest in the world. In fact, when you boil down (pun intended) the contents of what's actually inside each bottle, more than two/fifths of its liquid is nothing more than filtered tap water. Essentially, this scientific derivative yields a positive net rate of roughly 50% tap water. And once you examine the societal spins and corporatized labels between bottled water versus tap water, you'll soon realize the differences are negligent at best. The reason why is the Environmental Protection Agency abides by stricter quality standards for tap water than the Food and Drug Administration does with its bottled water counterpart. By reducing the amount of energy required to produce and consume bottled water, mankind can minimize its ecological footprints and ensure a safer, more effective global environment for years to come. It's not a question of whether you're environmentally friendly these days, but rather just how far you're willing to embrace this phenomenon. One way to cement your stance is to choose tap water over bottled water. After all, clean water is always clear, and there's never a wrong shade of green. ML MIAMI LIVING 33