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SMALL BUSINESS
Is Bottled Water Worth $15 Billion?
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Tom Fox, Dallas Morning News / MCT
Bottled Water Phenomenon
We can pour water from our taps and yet we buy it from the store.
According to a recent Fast Company article, in 1976, each American bought an average of 1.6 gallons per year. Today, that average has jumped to 28.3 gallons.
Did something happen to our municipal water supply?
Next: Behind the Miracle DrinkRelated Links
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The Miracle Drink?
In the 1800s, two enterprising men began bottling springwater to sell.
The first, Rev. Griswald, bottled water from Saratoga Springs, New York and sold it to "cure" stomach ailments. His success was followed by Hiram Ricker whose magic Poland Spring water "cured" kidney problems. See Bottled Water Timeline
Next: Still Drinking Snake Oil?Related Links
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Still Drinking Snake Oil?
Many believe we are still buying snake oil wrapped in a more sophisticated marketing strategy.
Today's bottled-water industry owes its success to Bruce Nevins who launched Perrier -- described in Fast Company's Message in a Bottle -- with a clever campaign linking bottled water to: 1) exclusivity 2) health 3) celebrity status.
Next: Is Bottled Water Really Healthier Than Tap?Related Links
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Is Bottled Water Really Healthier Than Tap?
No! Bottled water is not healthier than tap. According to Blogging Stocks' Thirst for Profits post, "An NRDC study actually found that 33 percent of the waters it tested 'violated an enforceable state standard or exceeded microbiological-purity guidelines,' ..."
The fact is that bottled water is not as strictly regulated as tap water is.
Next: Free Tap Water for SaleRelated Links
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Richard Harding, UPPA / ZUMA Press
Free Tap Water for Sale
In addition to not being regulated, many bottled water companies don't have to pay for the water they sell.
Coca-Cola (Dasani) and Pepsi Co. (Aquafina) bottle municipal tap water. So instead of paying 1/100th of a penny per glass of your own tap water, you can buy the same in a bottle for about a $1.25. See Canadian Paper's Report
Next: Who Gets Rich From Bottled Water?Related Links
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Who's Getting Rich on Bottled Water?
Surprisingly, the corporate water barons do not keep the lion's share of bottled water.
According to Fast Company's Message in a Bottle, the pay out on a $1.29 bottle of water is: 50% to retailer, up to 33.3% goes to distribution, 12 to 15 cents to the production of the bottle and that leaves about 10 cents of profit for the company.
Next: Are We Just Buying Trash?Related Links
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Rich Pedroncelli, AP
Are We Just Buying Trash?
The water barons don't produce water; they manufacture disposable bottles.
The United States throws away 2.5 million plastic bottles every hour. And our landfills are closing at the rate of one per day, because they are either full or leaking toxic materials into lakes, streams and groundwater.
Next: What Do Proponents Say?Related Links
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Chris Hondros, Getty Images
What Do Proponents Say?
Bottled water is the best-selling item per unit for the country's largest Earth-friendly retailer, Whole Foods, Inc. The company's CEO and co-founder, John Mackey defends its sales to Fast Company, "It's unfair to say bottled water is causing extra plastic in landfills ... There's a substitution effect -- it's substituting for juices and Coke and Pepsi."
Next: So Is Bottled Water the Healthier Choice?Related Links
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Getty Images
So Is Bottled Water the Healthier Choice?
It's The option to choose bottled water from a school cafeteria vending machine, at a roadside stop, the cinema or sporting event, makes for a healthier choice over soda or sugar-infused drinks.
The question one should ask: Is bottled water always the smart choice?
Next: What's Better Than Bottled Water?Related Links
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Reusablebags.com
What's Better Than Bottled Water?
Want to make a choice that's better than bottled water?
Pick up a sleek, high-quality, water container that will maintain your healthy image without draining your wallet or the enivronment.
Next: Trendy Water Is Still ... TrendyRelated Links
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Metromint
Trendy Water Is Still ... Trendy
This gallery is not for the Earth-friendly sect.
But if you love the glamour and status behind new product trends, check out these designer waters, leading an industry of nearly 600 brands. Designer Water
Next: Which Type of Bottled Water Are You?Related Links
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Do You Drink It?
· LorrFootNu: When I lived in Florida in the mid '80s, I could smell the sulfur in the water there. It made me sick to drink it. So I began to use bottled water for cooking as well as drinking.
· BlondeChick44FL: I think that unless your water is really proven to be unsafe to drink, its ridiculous to spend money on bottled water.
Talk About It: Do You Drink Bottled Water?
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