A bill introduced in the Washington State Legislature to ban the use of “petroleum-based water bottles” (sized one liter and less) is the subject of a hearing on Wednesday, January 16, 2008, before the House Select Committee on Environmental Health. The bill (HB 2422) unreasonably targets plastic bottled water containers and will make it more difficult for consumers to drink a very healthy beverage choice. Furthermore, passage of HB2422 will make it more difficult for consumers to drink bottled water in small, convenience sized plastic containers by forcing them to purchase their bottled water in neighboring states. This may result in lost jobs and capital investment and may bankrupt many small, struggling Washington companies.

Bottled water is growing in popularity because of its consistent quality, taste and convenience. Many people choose it over other beverages because it does not contain calories, caffeine, sugar, artificial flavors or colors, alcohol or other ingredients they want to avoid or moderate. Simply eliminating the safety and convenience of a healthy product, such as bottled water that is packaged in plastic, could cause consumers to purchase other, less healthful, beverage alternatives. The other beverages are predominately bottled in plastic containers and contain water as the primary ingredient. Any actions that prevent consumers from drinking water, whether from the bottle or from the tap, are not in the public’s best interest.

Plastic beverage bottles are among the most recycled packaging in this country and beverage companies continue to reduce the amount of plastic used in their packaging. Rather than focusing on one beverage choice, it would make more sense for government officials to focus on improving recycling rates for all consumer packaging and still make available the healthful benefits of bottled water consumption.

Bottled water is one of thousands of packaged foods and beverages used by consumers every day and should be properly recycled through whatever system a local municipality has in place.

The bottled water industry, like many others in the food and beverage industry, has taken actions to reduce its environmental footprint through the use of ever lighter weight packaging and direct support and involvement in recycling educational and advocacy programs with our partners in the food and beverage industry, recycling organizations, and local governments.

It is critical to note that plastic bottled water bottles, as are all bottled water containers, are 100% recyclable; the key is to ensure that consumers have a convenient, comprehensive system in place so they can recycle. However, HB 2422 currently creates no actual direct recycling incentives.

In particular, PET plastic-the container type targeted by HB 2422--is one of the most recycled plastic resins worldwide and accounts for a very small part of the U.S. waste stream and comprise less than one-third of one percent of all waste produced in the US in 2005. However, the bottled water industry has a played positive role in helping to develop new solutions to managing solid waste throughout the U.S. This includes making major investments of time and resources with such groups as the National Recycling Partnership. These efforts are good for environment and good for business.

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