The Courant
February 26, 2008
Re: State Must Get Off the Bottle (State Representative Beth Bye, February 25, 2008)
Dear Editor:
We respect Representative Beth Bye and other state employees’ choice to drink tap, and in fact we encourage people to drink more whether from a tap or bottle. But we take issue with the implication that bottled water does not have its rightful place.
In our on-the-go world 70% of what people drink comes from a bottle or a can, and more than half say they would switch to higher calorie beverages if bottled water weren’t available. In a time of increased obesity and diabetes, bottled water bans send the wrong message.
Singling out bottled water also distorts the facts. Every product on store shelves has an environmental impact, and bottled water is not only one of the healthiest beverage options it also uses less plastic and water to produce.
Finally, we hope by focusing on just “one thing” our state legislature doesn’t miss the big picture. Less than one-third of one percent of the U.S. municipal waste stream comes from empty water bottles. That’s why we are advocating for comprehensive recycling solutions that keep all containers – regardless of what they hold – out of landfills.
We at Nestlé Waters North America stand ready to work together to find such solutions.
Sincerely,
Jane Lazgin
Director, Corporate Communications
Nestlé Waters North America
777 West Putnam Avenue
Greenwich, CT 06830
(203) 863-0111
