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Letter to the Editor by Jane Lazgin, Director, Corporate Communications, Nestlé Waters North America in response to Newsweek article: "Is Bottled Water Better Than Tap Water?"
Newsweek
December 7, 2007
Re: Is Bottled Water Better Than Tap? (Karen Springen, December 6, 2007)
Nestlé Waters agrees there is a time and place for both tap water and bottled water. In our mobile society, 70 percent of what people drink comes in a pre-packaged container. Bottled water is a convenient and accessible way for people to drink cold, refreshing water when they are out and about or when they don’t like the taste of their tap water.
We also recognize bottled water has an environmental impact, just like all other packaged goods, and we’re working hard to reduce ours. One of these ways we’re doing it is with our new Eco-Shape bottle, which uses up to 30 percent less plastic than the average plastic beverage container. These bottles are fully recyclable – including the clear caps – and 98 percent of them are manufactured at our plants, which reduces transportation emissions and saves fuel.
While not trivial, the environmental impact of bottled water also needs to be viewed in perspective. Used bottles contribute less than one-third of 1 percent to the municipal waste stream in this country. To truly make a difference, we need new recycling programs that would keep all household containers – regardless of what they hold – out of landfills.
Sincerely,
Jane Lazgin
Director, Corporate Communications
Nestlé Waters North America
777 West Putnam Avenue
Greenwich, CT 06830
(203) 863-0111
