Environmental Effects of Single Use Plastic Water Bottles Versus Reusable Water Bottles

Environmental Effects of Single Use Plastic Water Bottles Versus Reusable Water Bottles

Presenter(s)

Joseph Salvatore Fraganato, Morgan Denise Henderson, Hannah Ruth Kelly

Comments

This poster reflects research conducted as part of a course project designed to give students experience in the research process.

Description

While bottled water can be more convenient on the go, these plastic water bottles contain harmful substances called polyethlene terephtalate (PET) and bisphenol A (BPA), which are both extremely dangerous to human health and the environment. The production of one plastic bottle uses energy, emits toxins into the air and uses more water to produce than actually put in the bottle for drinking. The bottles take hundreds of years to decompose, filling our landfills at an alarming rate. 38 billion water bottles end up in U.S landfills each year, which equates to about two million tons. Reusable water bottles save fossil fuels. If you were to fill one disposable plastic bottle a quarter of the way up with oil, it would represent the amount to make it. With just one person switching to a reusable water bottle, it would keep 2580 balloons of CO2 out of the air per year. If Americans were to switch to reusable, you will feel better about your commitment to the Earth!

Publication Date

4-24-2019

Project Designation

Course Project

Primary Advisor

Erin L. Gibbemeyer

Primary Advisor's Department

Chemical Engineering

Keywords

Stander Symposium project

Environmental Effects of Single Use Plastic Water Bottles Versus Reusable Water Bottles

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