The so-called "healthy consumer segment" has turned away from soft drinks and now abundantly imbibes bottled water in a multitude of forms and brands. 50 much so that bottled water is considered one of the largest growth sectors with- in the beverage industry, expanding at seven percent a year worldwide, and with well over 23 billion gallons being con- sumed annually. While the turn away from colas is a positive one for your digestive tract, don't be misled by the pristine moun-
tain stream on your water's label. Recent studies indicate that tap water may in fact be more "pure" than much of the bottled water for sale; in that sense, there's a good chance it's actually better for you. But even the purest of bottled waters contribute negatively to the planet in a variety of ways. The industry generates 1.5 million tons of polluting plas- tics each year. Moving large quantities of fresh water from its place of origin contributes to freshwater depletion. Indeed, 25 percent of all water bottled and traded is consumed outside its country of origin. According to a report commissioned by the World Wildlife Federation, the transportation of bottled water, and its related consumption of fossil fuels, is a con-
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