Should Plastic Water Bottles Be Banned?

Chances are you’ve bought a bottle of water on vacation, at a sporting event, or in your school cafeteria. Each year, Americans purchase about 50 billion of them—more than any other drink. Bottled water is quick, convenient, and healthier than sports drinks and soda. But experts say it comes at a cost to the environment: Most plastic water bottles are used only once—and they take hundreds of years to break down in landfills. 

That’s why a growing number of places around the country are trying to ban the use of plastic water bottles. U.S. national parks and public lands have started phasing out their sale. Stores and vending machines in Los Angeles International Airport in California no longer carry them. And Massachusetts recently banned its state agencies from purchasing them.

People in favor of banning all plastic water bottles say cutting down on plastic pollution is essential. But other people argue that bottled water is vital—especially in places where it is the only safe drinking option.

Chances are you have bought a bottle of water. Maybe you bought one on vacation, at a sporting event, or in your school cafeteria. Each year, Americans purchase about 50 billion of them. That is more than any other drink. Bottled water is quick and convenient. And it is healthier than sports drinks and soda. But experts say it is bad for the environment, because most plastic water bottles are used only once. And they take hundreds of years to break down in landfills.

That is why a growing number of places around the country are trying to ban plastic water bottles completely. U.S. national parks and public lands have started phasing out their sale. Stores and vending machines in Los Angeles International Airport in California no longer carry them. And Massachusetts recently banned its state agencies from buying them.

Why are people in favor of banning plastic water bottles? They say that cutting down on plastic pollution is key. But other people argue that bottled water is needed. That is especially true in places where it is the only safe drinking option.

Only one in six plastic water bottles get recycled, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Most end up in landfills, where they leach chemicals into the soil and groundwater as they break down. Others litter parks and bodies of water. Animals that mistake pieces of them for food can get sick and die. 

The bottles aren’t just a problem after they’re used, experts say. Millions of barrels of oil are burned to produce the plastic in the first place. And oil and other fossil fuels power the trucks and ships that transport the bottles for sale. When fossil fuels are burned, they give off carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas. Greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere, causing Earth’s temperature to rise.

Only one in six plastic water bottles get recycled. That is according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Most end up in landfills. As the bottles break down, chemicals from the plastic seep into the soil and groundwater. Other bottles litter parks and bodies of water. Animals that think the pieces are food and eat them can get sick and die.

The bottles are not just a problem after they are used, experts say. Millions of barrels of oil are burned just to produce the plastic. And oil and other fossil fuels power the trucks and ships that transport the bottles for sale. When fossil fuels are burned, they give off carbon dioxide. That is a greenhouse gas. Greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere. This causes Earth’s temperature to rise.

The majority of Americans support changes that reduce our overall plastic use, according to a recent study from the environmental group Oceana. Replacing plastic water bottles with reusable ones—and refilling them at free water-filling stations—is one option.

“There are other ways to get water,” says Emilia Prato, an eighth-grader from North Branford, Connecticut. “It’s easy enough to plan ahead and bring your own reusable bottle.”

Most Americans support changes that reduce our overall plastic use. That is according to a recent study from the environmental group Oceana. One option is to replace plastic water bottles with reusable ones. People can refill those at free water-filling stations.

“There are other ways to get water,” says Emilia Prato. She is an eighth-grader from North Branford, Connecticut. “It’s easy enough to plan ahead and bring your own reusable bottle.”

But people who oppose a total ban on plastic water bottles say bottled water isn’t just about convenience. It is a lifeline in communities where people don’t always have access to clean tap water. Residents in cities such as Jackson, Mississippi, and Flint, Michigan, have struggled with contaminated water supplies in recent years. And in some places, such as the Navajo Nation, many people don’t have running water in their homes. 

Plus, even people with access to safe water don’t always have it with them. Bottled water offers an easy way to stay hydrated on the go. More than 90 percent of Americans agree bottled water should be available where other drinks are sold, says the International Bottled Water Association.

But some people oppose a total ban on plastic water bottles. They say bottled water is not just about convenience. It is a lifeline in places where people do not always have access to clean tap water. Residents in some cities have struggled with contaminated water supplies in recent years. That includes Jackson, Mississippi, and Flint, Michigan. And in some places, such as the Navajo Nation, many people do not have running water in their homes.

Plus, even people with access to safe water do not always have it with them. Bottled water offers an easy way to stay hydrated on the go. More than 90 percent of Americans agree that bottled water should be available where other drinks are sold, says the International Bottled Water Association.

“Water bottles are great for traveling, getting a quick drink, and hydrating as long as you’re responsible and recycle them,” says Grayson Balintfy, a sixth-grader from Chittenango, New York. What’s more, he adds, “not everyone likes the taste of tap water.”

Another concern is that such a ban would target only bottled water—even though many sodas and sugary beverages also come in plastic containers. Banning bottled water could push people toward those less healthy options. “If people can’t buy it,” says Grayson, “they might stop drinking it.” 

“Water bottles are great for traveling, getting a quick drink, and hydrating as long as you’re responsible and recycle them,” says Grayson Balintfy. He is a sixth-grader from Chittenango, New York. Also, he adds, “not everyone likes the taste of tap water.”

Another concern is that such a ban would target only bottled water. But many sodas and sugary beverages also come in plastic containers. Banning bottled water could push people toward those less healthy options. “If people can’t buy it,” says Grayson, “they might stop drinking it.”