14 OCT 2021 HOME & LIVING 6 MINS READ 1333 VIEWS

Do You Know The Impact Of Plastic Water Bottles?

Every consumer plays a part in reducing plastic waste – and one way to start is with the eSpring™ Water Treatment System.

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When you walk into a supermarket and purchase a plastic water bottle, this might seem like a convenient or even healthy choice for consuming fresh water. However, what you probably don’t consider is the amount of greenhouse gases that were emitted in the production and transport of this bottle, any potential microplastics present in it, or the detrimental impact of this plastic waste on the environment. Reducing your plastic consumption by switching to a water filtration system can provide long-term benefits for the environment.


The impact of plastic on the environment

According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), around a dump-truck load of plastic goes into our oceans every minute.1 This results in millions of animal deaths per year, as a result of the ingestion of plastic, or entanglement in plastic. Furthermore, the production of plastic and its transportation between factories, stores and recycling plants releases a lot of greenhouse gases into the air, making the CO2 footprint of plastic bottles much more significant.

Another important factor when it comes to plastic bottles is the potential presence of microplastics, or small plastic particles. A 2018 study published in Frontiers in Chemistry found that 93% of samples from 259 bottled waters sold in several countries contained microplastic synthetic polymer particles.2

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The World Health Organization reported that microplastics are found in both bottled and tap water and as a result also end up in marine water and animals, food, air, and wastewater. While there is no clear evidence that microplastics are harmful to humans, certain animals have been found to be negatively affected by them. Experiments have shown that microplastics block aquatic animals’ digestive tracts, reduce their urge to eat and alter their feeding behaviour, which can cause them to starve and die.3

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eSpring can help

While recycling can help to mitigate some of the negative impacts of plastic water bottles, a significant reduction in waste requires fundamental changes to consumer habits. As soon as you start using the eSpring water filter in your home, you will contribute to helping the climate, animals and ecosystems both on land and in oceans – instantly! There are loads of benefits to the eSpring water filter.

One eSpring cartridge replaces a huge number of plastic water bottles. Combined with great taste and a reduction in 99.99% of waterborne disease-causing bacteria and viruses, eSpring water filter is an easy way to become more sustainable, while simultaneously enhancing quality and convenience.

So, the next time you go to the store to pick up a plastic water bottle – think about the effects it will have on the environment. Consider whether you or the people in your life would like to make a more sustainable, long-term choice that benefits your families’ health, the environment and your favourite marine animals.

Start reducing your plastic footprint and pick up an eSpring here.

1 WWF, Plastic in the ocean, 2019 article
2 Frontiers in Chemistry, Synthetic Polymer Contamination in Bottled Water, 2018 research article
3 WHO, Microplastics in drinking-water, 2019 article


Quiz time!

Put your knowledge to the test with our quiz about plastic waste. It will offer you some great fun facts to share with your friends and family as well. Good luck!


What do I need to do?

For each question, choose the answer you think is correct – A., B., C. or D. At the end of each question, you’ll see whether your answer is correct or wrong. Have fun and feel free to come back at any time and test yourself or share the quiz with your friends and family!

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Question 1: Around how many million tonnes of plastic are dumped into our oceans each year?
  1. 1 million
  2. 4 million
  3. 6 million
  4. Over 8 million

Answer: 4. Between 8 and 12 million tonnes of plastic are dumped into oceans around the world each year. And this number is growing at an alarming rate year after year. If current trends continue, by 2050 our oceans could contain more plastic than fish.


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Question 2: How many plastic water bottles are purchased per minute globally?
  1. 250,000
  2. 500,000
  3. 750,000
  4. 1 million

Answer: 4. Across the globe, consumers purchase around 1 million plastic water bottles per minute, which equates to over 500 billion plastic water bottles per year.


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Question 3: What percentage of plastic waste ever produced has been recycled?
  1. 9%
  2. 12%
  3. 25%
  4. 49%

Answer: 1. Only 9% of all plastic waste ever produced has been recycled – the rest ends up in landfill or in oceans or is incinerated. Plastic takes more than 400 years to degrade, which means it is not going anywhere anytime soon.


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Question 4: How many one-litre plastic water bottles can one eSpring cartridge help to save?
  1. 2,000
  2. 3,000
  3. 4,000
  4. 5,000

Answer: 4. One eSpring cartridge can help save up to 5,000 one-litre plastic water bottles.


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Question 5: How often does the eSpring cartridge need to be replaced?
  1. Every month
  2. Every 2 weeks
  3. Every 6 months or after 2,500 litres
  4. Once a year or after 5,000 litres

Answer: 4. The eSpring cartridge only needs to be replaced once a year or after 5,000 litres – whichever comes first. This means you will help save up to 5,000 one-litre water bottles every year!


What’s your total score?

You answered (3–5) out of 5 correctly!

Well done! You know how plastic is affecting the environment and how eSpring reduces the use of plastic. To learn more about the eSpring Water Treatment System, click here!

You answered (1–2) out of 5 correctly!

It’s time to brush up your skills on how plastic is affecting the environment and how eSpring reduces the use of plastic. Learn more about eSpring here!