Mumbai: In a commendable effort to reduce plastic usage, many Indian households have transitioned to using metal bottles and cloth bags, recognizing the health and environmental hazards associated with plastic. Yet, something in these very households remains largely unaddressed. Their main source of drinking water – the plastic water cans. While the health risks of prolonged food or beverage storage in plastic are well-documented, the larger, planet-wide impact of these water cans is often overlooked.
Used for the sake of convenience and often considered to be a cheap source of drinking water – how are these water cans fueling a chain reaction of environmental degradation?
Plastic Waste Generation – the silent killer of the planet
In this era of heightened environmental awareness, our generation has indeed made significant progress in embracing eco-conscious practices. However, the shocking statistics reveal an alarming reality: in just one year, we have collectively generated over 3.5 million tons of plastic waste. To put this into perspective, consider that each water can that you use contributes to at least 1 kg of plastic waste. When you multiply this by the countless households still relying on water cans, the numbers become bigger and scarier.
Why continue to be part of this problem when the market offers numerous alternatives that are not only more safe, convenient and cost-effective but also environmentally friendly?
It’s important to recognize that the issues surrounding disposable water cans extend far beyond just waste generation. Here’s how –
Water Can Production –
The entire life cycle of these water cans is a huge red flag for the environment, starting with their production. The extraction of petroleum for plastic production and the energy-intensive manufacturing procedures of these cans collectively contribute to substantial greenhouse gas emissions, worsening the overall carbon footprint and amplifying the global climate change crisis.
Water Can Disposal –
Moreover, these water cans, often composed of non-biodegradable materials like polyethylene or polypropylene, don’t simply vanish once they’re discarded. Instead, they tend to accumulate in landfills and ultimately find their way into water sources. This not only pollutes our precious
water resources but also poses a threat to various ecosystems, potentially causing harm to marine life and even entering the human food chain.
Water cans are also rarely recycled, which means that the remnants left in landfills can take hundreds of years to decompose. During this decomposition process, harmful chemicals are released into the environment, further compounding the already severe environmental consequences associated with disposable water cans.
And finally, the impact in the long run.
Our generation finds itself compelled to be more informed and environmentally conscious than ever before, bearing the weight and responsibility for shaping a safer and more sustainable future for the coming generations, and providing them with a world with no environmental threats.
To end this, we must begin by reconsidering our everyday choices, including how we access our drinking water. The sustainable sources of drinking water present an opportunity to significantly reduce our contribution to the ever-growing plastic waste crisis. By making the switch to eco-friendly alternatives, we have the power to exert a collective positive influence on the state of our planet.
In doing so, we lay the groundwork for a cleaner, greener future—one where the devastating consequences of plastic pollution are limited, our carbon footprint is reduced and the health of our ecosystems and wildlife is preserved. The seemingly small switch we make today can catalyze profound transformations for tomorrow. Each eco-conscious choice we embrace represents a step towards a world where environmental harmony and a healthier, more sustainable existence are within our reach. In essence, it’s about understanding that our actions today ripple into the legacy we leave for future generations—a legacy we should aspire to make cleaner, greener, and more sustainable.
The author of this article is DrinkPrime CEO & co-founder Vijender Reddy.
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