Environment and Health
100% of bottled water containers are recyclable, where facilities exist.
The larger bottles found on the water cooler at home or in the office are sanitized and can be reused an average of 50 times before the bottled water company recycles them. IBWA has joined forces with other food and beverage industries to encourage recycling. IBWA is committed to actively participating in recycling and educating the public about the importance of recycling bottled water containers and all recyclable materials. Recyclable materials are in high demand and help to create new goods out of old ones. It is important for everyone to do their part and below you`ll find where you can obtain recycling bins for your own home, office or community.
Recycling at home
For consumers that have recycling programs available through their municipality or locality, check your local phonebook to contact them and learn about recycling programs in your community and how to obtain the curbside recycling bins.
Recycling away from home
For specialized recycling bins that are made for the office, church, school or special events, click on the link below to view the many options available.
IBWA Groundwater Resources Management and Stewardship Policy
Groundwater Resource Management
IBWA Policy: The International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) is dedicated to the responsible management of renewable groundwater resources. This can be accomplished by using sound science and environmental stewardship, preventing adverse impact on the source, the surrounding environment, or neighbors. IBWA supports comprehensive water resource management that regulates both the quality and quantity of groundwater, and balances the interests and rights of those using this natural resource today and in the future.
Guiding Principles of Comprehensive Groundwater Resource Management
IBWA believes that comprehensive groundwater resource management must be supported by a foundation of sound science which determines the limitations of the resource base and provides for projections of use. Such comprehensive resource management planning and policy must also incorporate a capability to resolve conflicting interests based on the principle of equitable partition of the resource.
IBWA offers the following guiding principles as the foundation for executing a comprehensive groundwater resource management policy and plan.
Scientific Documentation. The primary effort of protecting and managing groundwater resources must be based on a solid foundation of appropriate and reasonably applied science. The flux, flow, recharge rate, surface water influence and impact, zone of contribution, and other factors affecting a groundwater resource must be analyzed and considered in the design of a management plan. The entire aquifer must be viewed within the context of science supported by empirical data. Advanced research techniques and the collection of baseline data of groundwater resources characteristics and source use must be utilized to assist in the analysis and design of groundwater management policies.
The plan shall be comprehensive and multi-jurisdictional. Effective management of a groundwater resource must be multi-jurisdictional by its very nature. Watersheds, streams, rivers and aquifers are not contained by local political boundaries (city, municipal, county, etc.). Local control of the management of groundwater resources can not effectively address the impact of withdrawals from an aquifer that flows through many local jurisdictions. In addition, the multi-jurisdictional approach to management of groundwater resources will prevent the fragmentation of permitting authority and overlapping management of the resources.
Identify the quality and quantity of the groundwater. In developing a comprehensive groundwater resource management program, the impact of use on quantity and quality must be fully assessed. Quantitative measures on the impact from various influences on groundwater resources must be developed and incorporated into any groundwater resource management approach. This includes withdrawal reporting and permitting, surface water impacts of groundwater withdrawals, water budgeting and well sitting. By using quantitative measures, the permitting of water withdrawals can be more equitably managed through comprehensive understanding of the impact of the withdrawal on the total aquifer.
Consider all users in an equitable manner. Requests for water withdrawals must be reviewed under objective criteria that are based on science. Allocation of water resources should not be subject to requirements exceeding those applied to users of similar quantities and quality. All users must be treated in an equitable manner with an emphasis on providing priority use of the groundwater resource for human consumption.
Balance the rights of use against future needs for the resource. By moving to a scientific basis supported by acceptable quantitative measurements, the balance of competing interests may be better evaluated and lead to beneficial conflict resolution that supports the rights equitably for all interested parties. It is essential for each user of groundwater to act as a steward of this renewable water resource in order to maintain both quality and quantity of the source and the system at large.
Conclusion - Treatment of the bottled water industry in the management of groundwater resources
IBWA`s position on various proposals for government regulation will be based on the above set of principles and the equitable treatment of the bottled water industry in the management of groundwater resources. IBWA believes that only through a comprehensive, science-based approach to groundwater resource management can the water needs of the population and the environment be effectively addressed. IBWA supports measures that equitably treat groundwater users of similar quantities and impacts on quality.
