Boussi 1

Neta Boussi

Professor Rosenfeld

English 113B - 12:30 PM MW

10 April 2017

Ban the Plastic

Reuse, reduce, and recycle, those are the words we learned since kindergarten, but the

mother earth is still filled with trash. Plastic has contributed a lot to the problem to our Earth and

the small things can help fix the problem. Banning plastic water bottle would help enforce the

change on plastic in general. Today, stores sell brown paper bags, ten cents each, to encourage

shoppers to bring in their reusable shopping bags. Plastic has caused enough damage to our

ecosystem and it is time to take an extra step. According to Schua Philip author of Plastic Water

Bottles are Toxic to Ecology, It takes more than 17 barrels of oil a year to meet America's need

for bottled water, enough to fuel 1.3 million cars for a year. In the United States alone, the

energy wasted using bottled water would be enough to power 190,000 homes Worldwide, the

estimate is 50 million barrels of oil a year. In addition, manufactures of plastic water bottles

released over eight hundred thousands of greenhouse gasses just in 2005. The energy wasted on

plastic water bottles would be enough to power nineteen thousands of homes. Sure banning

plastic has its disadvantages such as it is an easy access to water, but it is also more expensive,

and banning plastic water bottles could lead to dehydration, but there are cheaper and better ways

around it. Critics may argue that banning plastic water bottles is against freedom of choice, but in

fact it is good for both people and the environment, in that it protects them from harmful

chemicals in plastic and reduces pollution. Additionally, some college campuses now have

environmentally friendly sources such as CSUNs Flo water stations.

 Boussi 2

Critics may argue that between plastic water bottles and tap water, plastic is the better

alternatives. Tap water contains contaminants, which is why it is not recommended to drink,

The National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) tested more than 1,000 bottles of 103 brands

of bottled water and found that about one-third of the samples exceeded industry standards for

certain contaminants (Palliser). Most companies do not take the right treatment, for their water,

making the water less pure as some may think. Unless one buys from the more expensive brand

water such as Fiji water, plastic water bottles are going to be the same as tap. Not to mention

that, plastic water bottles made from polyethylene terephthalate or for short PETE. PETE is a

material that is used for a lot of food and beverage packaging but, when heated, it is releases the

chemical bisphenol A (BPA). BPA when triggered by the sun and consumed would lead to health

risks. Most of the time people leave their plastic water bottles in the cup holder in their cars.

Without thinking twice on the water that sat there for days, the same people end up drinking

those chemicals without even noticing. This leads to contamination and could lead to further

health problems. A study in September 2014 Hypertension found that BPA exposure may raise

blood pressure and that BPA has a trace in urine (Chemicals). Not only are plastic water bottles

are harmful to our selfs but also to our children, mothers who have BPA in their systems can

pass it to infants through breast-feeding (William E).

Some may also argue that plastic bottles are a necessity for when a disaster such as

earthquakes hits, but our economy is already in trouble with all of the plastic roaming around

freely. Plastic water bottles has caused enough damage to our planet earth. Plastic is everywhere!

In the land fields to the oceans, affecting the wild life animals. Looking at the big picture, this

planet is a mess, due to plastic water bottles not being recycled, but littered; it takes about 1,000

years for a plastic bottle to degrade (Palliser). For plastic to dissolve it would take years and
 Boussi 3

with the rate of the way it is going on now, our plant would not have the chance to fight it. What

most people do not notice is the amount of environmental damage plastic water bottles factories

create. These factories create so much pollution in the air from the manufacturing of the plastic

bottles. Plastic adds on to global warming, in so many ways, the production of bottled water

releases millions of tons of harmful chemicals such as CO2 into the environment (Crimson

672). Humans breathe in oxygen and release carbon dioxide, but when factories add on the gas to

the planet, air pollution accrues and the oxygen that people breathe in becomes heavy. The

picture to the left shows the true colors of the plastic water bottles, that

used by millions every day. What most do not notice is that by buying

this product helps pollute the earth. The picture to the left is an advocate

from turn your top campaign, to ban plastic water bottles. The black,

grey smoke coming out of the bottle represents the pollution both the

factories and the bottles cause. It reveals the truth behind the production

of plastic water bottles, painting a picture to the audience about the dark

reality the corporations harmful effect on our environment.

Some may argue that banning plastic water bottles on college campuses reduces freedom

of choice, such as Chris Hogan, International Bottled Water Association Vice President of

Communications states that the ban, restricts freedom of choice (Colleges), but plastic bottles

are not the only sources for water on college campuses. There are plenty alternatives for plastic

water bottles to get fresh water. Most colleges that have taken up on the ban of plastic water

bottles have replaced them with purified water filters and drinking fountains. Not only does it

save money but also students are getting fresh water to drink. Reusable water bottles are

encouraged for everyone to bring and use. For instincts, reusable water bottles are sold in every
 Boussi 4

student store and gym. At California State University Northridge, there is refiling stations for

reusable water bottles that contains purified water, it easier for students to get access to free

water using bottles they already have in their possession (Rivas). The purified water stations are

a cheaper alternative compared to buying a plastic water bottle from a vending machine. Tiffany

Zaich chair of the environmental affairs committee of A.S even said that water from Flo Water

is not only environmentally better, but a healthier alternative (Rivas). Comparing the regular

price of plastic water bottles, that run from anywhere between a dollar twenty five to two dollars,

and purified water stations, that run for about thirty cents and less, is a huge difference. CSUN

Flo water stations encourages students to bring in their own reusable water bottles. Compared to

one time use plastic water bottles and reusable water bottles contain no sign of BPA. For those

that rather buy water than sodas at the vending machine, companies can sell glass bottles that can

be also reused daily unlike the plastic water bottles that are sold today.

In conclusion, plastic water bottles are just not worth it. The money spent on plastic water

bottles contribute more harm to our health and the environment more than the quench of thirst.

Banning plastic water bottles is for the greater good. For our own health and the ones we want to

protect, banning plastic water bottles can protect us from the harmful chemicals such as PETE.

Keeping our environment clean does not just benefits the animals that have to live with the

plastic water bottles that take over their homes, but once again for us too. The oxygen we breath

becomes heavier the more factories work on the production of plastic water bottles. Having a

reusable water bottle is not only an easier solution but a better healthier one too.
 Boussi 5

Work Cited

Berman, Elizabeth R, and Rachel K Johnson. "The Unintended Consequences of Changes

in Beverage Options and the Removal of Bottled Water on a University Campus." American

Journal of Public Health, 105.7 (2015): 1404.

"Chemical in food can liners may boost blood pressure." Harvard Heart Letter, 13 Feb.

2015. Expanded Academic ASAP

"Colleges in the U.S. Banning the Sale of Bottled Water." Internet Wire, (2012)

Kirszner, Laurie G., et al. Vote Yes on the Bottled Water Ban. Practical Argument,

thried ed., Bedford/St. Martin's, Boston, MA, 2017, pp. 672676.

Luttrell, William, and Bryce Baird. "Bisphenol a." Journal of Chemical Health & Safety,

21.5 (2014): 22-24.

Palliser, Janna. "Banning the bottle." Science Scope, Oct. 2010, p. 8. Expanded Academic

ASAP.

Rivas, Luis. A.S. Proposes Water Refill Stations across Campus. The Sundial, Sundial,

16 Apr. 2013, sundial.csun.edu/2013/04/a-s-proposes-water-refill-stations-across-campus/.