If we had a national deposit on all beverage containers, we could very quickly have a massive impact on the environment, create thousands of jobs, reduce landfill space, save and protect our rivers and streams, and much much more.

But for years the very companies that are creating the problems, and claiming to want a solution, spend millions to block this very simple, and effective way to eliminate the problem.

Alas, at this time Iowa does not require deposit and return on the juice, tea, coffee, non-carbonated sports drinks, or bottled water that have become so common in the last few years. which could be resolved quickly if our legislators were concerened with doing what is right instead of making their corporate supporters happy.

Oh, by the way, No, I do not buy bottled water. I have a $20.00 water filter on my tap at home, and in our shop, and take great pleasure in letting customers in the shop believe they are getting bottled water.
I have done probably 50 taste tests with our customers. Tap or bottled? filterd tap wins about 90% of the time.

The infrastructure for separating bio-plastic is virtually non-existent, and nothing biodegrades in any meaningful way in the anaerobic conditions of our landfills.

I'm all for stimulating the market for these types of plastic replacements, but let's not kid ourselves that everyone is incorporating these bottles into their compost heaps…

This is where there’s an enormous opportunity for bottled water companies: To provide a product that has the same attributes as conventional bottled water, but without the waste and extra expense of providing water packaged in plastic. I’ve suggested some strategies here:
http://www.triplepundit.com/2009/09/is-the-customer-always-right-yes-when-it-comes-to-sustainability/

You are correct about the shipping of wine, however, being a source of hypocrisy, but perhaps it’s a matter of scale. If people have some French one once in a while, it’s not such a big deal, but the monumental consumption of bottled water, driven by marketing and paranoia is much bigger phenomenon and its very absurdity is what gets people riled up.

I find it deeply troubling that people don’t trust their own taps, which we’ve paid a lot of money for in taxes, and in most cases (except in the desert) is perfectly good, healthy, water which, if chilled and bottled would be indistinguishable from most of the main bottled brands.

Something’s gotta evolve here. Maybe it’s just marketing. Read about what Venice is doing with Acqua Veritas.

Savage’s position on shipping in confusing. Why are heavy, dark green glass wine bottles from around the world OK? Why is beer from around the world less of an issue that a healthy bottle of water? Natural water sources are historic, world-famous and highly distinctive. From Source Evian to Source Perrier to Source San Pellgrino, these fine waters have refreshed human palates for centuries. There is as much variation in the flavor of spring water as there is in cheeses or other foods. Yet you seem to deny the consumer even a basic choice in the most important beverage they can drink.

Let’s discuss the refrigerator case in the convenience store. Thirsty customers stare at the glass doors and make a decision. Do they was a carbonated soft drink? A bottled coffee with sugar and cream? A fruit drink? A beer? Or a nice cold bottle of crisp-tasting bottled water? We compete with all those other packaged beverages. Customers who want lukewarm tap water can always borrow the restroom and refill their canteen but that is not a satisfying or viable means of hydration for many people.

In your contemplation of the state of bottled water, have you considered that bottled water — be in spring or purified — tastes and smells far better than tap water. Consumers are loyal to bottled water because the taste and characteristics such as clarity are exceptional. Because it tastes so good, it’s natural for people to drink more of it, and that’s key to good hydration and good health.

Bottled water has become an important and valued staple in many homes. There’s more to be done in the area of consumer recycling, and point-of-use filtration has a place in the modern office and home if that’s the consumer preference. For busy folks on the go, nothing tops the freshness, convenience and purity of bottled water.