Climate Change

Eliminate Bottled Water

Bottled water is up to 2000 times more energy-intensive than tap water. Bottled water that requires long-distance transport is far more energy-intensive than bottled water produced and distributed locally. The annual consumption of bottled water in the U.S. requires the equivalent of between 32 and 54 million barrels of oil — roughly one-third of a percent of total U.S. primary energy consumption. Several U.S. cities and prominent employers have stopped providing bottled water at their facilities, urging tap water as a more energy efficient and generally less wasteful option. Hospitals might incorporate bottled water reduction or elimination decisions into their food-related climate change programs.