GREENWICH, CT-- A new study released recently finds that water, in all its forms, has the least environmental impact of any beverage choice.
And when compared to other packaged beverages, including soft drinks, sports drinks, enhanced waters and juices, bottled water has the lightest environmental footprint. The "life cycle analysis study" was commissioned by Nestle Waters North America and conducted by Quantis International, a well-recognized leader in life cycle analyses and related applications.
The study is believed to be the first peer-reviewed, comprehensive analysis of the environmental impact of water and alternative beverage options, including filtered and un-filtered tap water consumed from reusable plastic, steel and aluminum containers. The analysis follows internationally accepted standards for methodology and transparency in reporting all findings, including favorable and unfavorable comparisons with other beverage options.
According to the report, packaging and distribution are key contributors to a beverage's carbon footprint. Nestle Waters' Eco-Shape® bottled water has the smallest environmental impact among bottled beverages because the bottles use the least amount of plastic and travel a relatively short distance from source to shelf. Bottled water also doesn't use "grown" ingredients, such as sugar, which eliminates the environmental impact of additional water, pesticides and energy usage associated with harvesting those ingredients. The report determines Eco-Shape to be the best choice for the environment among drinks in packages.
Key findings from the study include:
-- Water is the least environmentally damaging beverage option
-- Tap water has the lightest footprint, followed by tap water consumed in reusable bottles (if used more than 10 times), and then by bottled water
-- Water of all types accounts for 41% of a consumer's total beverage
consumption, but represents just 12% of a consumer's climate change impact
-- Milk, coffee, beer, wine and juice together comprise 28% of a
consumer's total beverage consumption, but represent 58% of climate change impact
-- Bottled water is the most environmentally responsible packaged drink
choice
-- Sports drinks, enhanced waters and soda produce nearly 50% more
carbon dioxide emissions per serving than bottled water
-- Juice, beer and milk produce nearly three times as many carbon
dioxide emissions per serving as bottled water
The full study is available online.
Life Cycle Beverage Analysis Study
www.beveragelcafootprint.com
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