Plastic Bottled Water: The Poison We Pay For

Plastic bottled water is the most consumed beverage in the U.S. and worldwide. It has become the default option when communities distrust their tap, lack safe water access, or are looking for a “convenient” drink. Yet this reliance on plastic bottled water puts human and environmental health at risk while actually undercutting safe, accessible, public drinking water—which is an internationally recognized human right. On Wednesday, August 27, Plastic Pollution Coalition hosted a webinar to address how plastic bottled water connects to issues of water injustice, undermines investment in safe drinking water infrastructure, and contributes to the growing global water and climate crises. We heard how activists, communities, and cities are taking action to envision a world of safe drinking water access without plastic bottles. Joining the discussion were: Mary Grant, Public Water for All Campaign Director at Food & Water Watch; Daniel Jaffee, Professor of Sociology at Portland State University; and Amira Odeh-Quiñones, Hydrologist and Community Organizer at 350.org’s Caribbean Climate Network. The webinar was moderated by Sofia Johansson, Campaign Coordinator at Plastic Pollution Coalition.