Short version: more than 8 billion gallons of bottled water is consumed annually in the U.S. -- an 8-ounce glass per person per day -- representing $11 billion in sales. The Earth Policy Institute estimated that to make the plastic for the bottles burns up something like 1.5 million barrels of oil, enough to power 100,000 cars for a year. Nearly 90 percent of the bottles are not recycled.
Great quote: One of the simplest things folks can do to reduce their "energy footprint," he said, is to drink tap water rather than buy bottled water. If you don't like the taste, he said, buy a filter. "There's really no valid reason to think bottled water is any healthier than tap water," Gleick said. "Especially in Seattle. You guys have great water."
BWAH HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Take that,