Adults will get through more than 200 billion single-use plastic water bottles in a lifetime – despite acknowledging it could be bad for their health. A study of 2,000 people found 27 percent are regular users, with the average plastic bottle drinker buying five per month.
But more than a fifth (22 percent) believe water from a plastic bottle isn’t good for their health – with 33 percent claiming tap water is “purer” in comparison.
Despite this, when needing to buy a drink on-the-go, almost half (47 percent) admit they don’t give much thought to the damage it could have on their physical condition.
The study was commissioned by reuseable bottle brand, Ocean Bottle, which has released Acqua Sordida – a water bottle visibly filled with “bits” to represent the microplastics in our waterways, to encourage the UK to end its toxic relationship with plastic bottles.
Will Pearson, CEO and Co-Founder of Ocean Bottle, said: “Valentine’s Day is a time for us to take stock of our relationships – and our research shows that a lot more of us need to take stock of our current relationship with bottled water.
“We are literally drinking particles of plastic with every plastic bottle of water we drink, and therefore believe it’s high time we end our toxic relationship with plastic bottles – it’s better for the ocean, and better for our health.”
When it comes to the health aspects of drinking from a plastic bottle, 66 percent are aware that the water in it potentially contains tiny pieces of plastic.
And although 88 percent know it gets dumped into the ocean every day, and will end up back in our food and drink chain, the average adult is way off when estimating how many pieces of microplastic particles can be found in plastic bottled water.
The average person believes there to be around 64,000 particles in a one litre bottle of water – when wider research shows there could be up to 240,000.
When quizzed on how to combat this issue, 61 percent think the big brands who sell these products are not doing enough to prevent particles getting into the ocean.
In order to avoid such pollution, exactly half of consumers would like to see them introduce more initiatives for reusing or recycling their products, while 28 percent hope to see companies raising awareness about tap water being safer and more cost efficient.
And more than six in 10 (61 percent) of those surveyed, via OnePoll.com, are trying to cut back on the amount of plastic water bottles they buy.
However, while the study shows a willingness for positive change, it also emerged that the most common reason for purchasing water from a plastic bottle, is because they forgot to bring their personal water bottle with them (36 percent).
Other excuses include being at the airport before a flight (21 percent), being on a long trip (29 percent), and because their reusable bottle is empty, and they can’t find anywhere to refill it (18 percent).
This Valentine’s Day, Ocean Bottle is encouraging consumers to take a pledge to end their toxic relationship with plastic water bottles once and for all – with those involved in with a chance to win a limited-edition reusable bottle.