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Letter to the Editor by Jane Lazgin, Director, Corporate Communications, Nestlé Waters North America in response to Times Union article on "Politics of Bottled Water now on the Table"
Times Union
June 12, 2008
Re: Politics of Bottled Water now on the Table (Steve Barnes, June 12, 2008)
Dear Editor:
Nestlé Waters understands the importance of restaurants to be environmentally conscious, and we encourage restaurant owners to make decisions that support the growth of their business. We would, however, like to respond to some of your article’s misguided statements about bottled water.
As noted in the article, not all water is created equal. Bottled waters offer a variety of distinct tastes, created by the natural elements and carbonation found in mineral and spring waters around the world. These tastes add to the range of choices diners want when they go out to eat.
In addition, FDA regulations for bottled water must be as strong and protective of public health as the EPA’s regulations for tap water. When bottled waters do come from municipal sources, they receive extra filtration before they are hygienically sealed in containers. This explains why the cost structures between bottled and tap water are different. Tap water is processed and distributed in bulk, while bottled water is processed and treated, and then packaged in smaller amounts.
As with all manufactured items, bottled water has an environmental impact. At Nestlé Waters, we work hard to continuously reduce ours, from packaging innovations, to LEED-certified plants, to efficient transportation. We also strongly advocate for comprehensive recycling solutions to keep all product containers out of landfills.
The fact is all foods and beverages come with an environmental footprint – whether it be cheese, meat, or wine. Restaurant owners and patrons should have the right to choose for themselves based on their preferences.
Sincerely,
Jane Lazgin
Director, Corporate Communications
Nestlé Waters North America
777 West Putnam Avenue
Greenwich, CT 06830
(203) 863-0111
