U.S. activists call for consumers to ban the water bottle

Last Updated: Wednesday, October 10, 2007 | 12:48 PM ET

CBC News

Activists and environmentalists on Wednesday are rallying behind a U.S. campaign that aims to convince consumers to opt for tap water rather than bottled.

The campaign, launched by the activist group Corporate Accountability International, argues that tap water is safer and more eco-friendly than bottled water. Activists are also urging city officials to stop using public money to purchase bottled water for offices.

U.S. activists on Wednesday are urging consumers to ban the bottle.
(CBC)

"When I see people at the airport go over to a vending machine and waste their money buying bottled water at the vending when it's standing right next to a water faucet, you really have to wonder at the utter stupidity and the responsibility sometimes of American consumers," said campaign supporter Rocky Anderson, the mayor of Salt Lake City.

Public speaking rallies will be held in Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Minneapolis, Oakland and Portland. Organizers have prepared taste tests comparing tap and bottled water.

The movement against bottled water has gained considerable momentum with American celebrity chefs including Alice Waters and Mario Batali banning the bottle at their restaurants.

In Canada, delegates to the United Church of Canada's general council voted to discourage the purchase of bottled water within its churches. The motion called on church members to advocate against the "privatization of water" and to support healthy local supplies of water.

Environmentalist David Suzuki also urged consumers to choose tap water, saying bottled water produces excessive waste.

But many consumers prefer bottled water as an on-the-go alternative to juice or soda pop. The bottled water industry has also battled back, saying that their bottles are fully recyclable.