Bottled water. It’s one of the first things (along with bread and milk) to disappear from store shelves when hurricanes are knocking at the door – and that’s great! Having bottled water on hand is an important part of being prepared for an emergency but on a daily basis bottled water is something you just don’t need. Did you know that the average price of bottled water is 2,000 times the cost of tap water? That would be like buying a $10,000 sandwich – yikes! In Hampton Roads, $1 buys you over 1,500 water refills in a reusable bottle compared with a $1 bottle of water that will quench your thirst just once. But even more startling is probably the fact that 50 percent of bottled water is simply repackaged tap water. Now ask yourself, why is bottled tap water sold at 2,000 times the price of your own tap water? It just doesn’t add up.
If that’s not enough to convince you, consider that 22 BILLION water bottles end up in landfills each year. Each bottle will be around for hundreds of years. Let’s put that in perspective: if Thomas Jefferson had tossed a water bottle on the ground after penning the Declaration of Independence, it would STILL be there! Do we really need to leave behind such a trashy legacy for future generations?
So make the founding fathers (and the next generation) proud this 4th of July by declaring your independence from bottled water with these super simple steps!
- Get Yourself a Reusable Water Bottle – Actually, get several so you’ll always have a clean one available. Look for bottles made of BPA-free plastic or other materials like glass, aluminum or stainless steel. Also, try out different styles to find one well-suited to your lifestyle. I’m a tumbler girl myself. But more active people might do better with a wide-mouth bottle or closable flip-up straw.
- Don’t Leave Home Without It – Make it a habit to carry a reusable beverage container with you everywhere you go. This way you’ll always be prepared when thirst hits. As a plus, you’ll be much less likely to buy other bottled beverages like soda or fruit juice that are loaded with sugar and calories.
- Now TapIt! – With your favorite beverage container packed and ready to go, arm yourself with the new TapIt Hampton Roads app. Available for Apple and Android phones, the TapIt Hampton Roads app helps you find free water fill-ups while on the go. Whether at a participating business or a municipal fountain, we’ll help you find the tap water you need whenever you need it!
Reduce Waste.
Save Money.
Be Green.
Declare your independence from bottled water!
Happy 4th of July from askHRgreen!