Nestle Pepsi-cola Coca-cola

34 billion liters of water were sold in bottles in 2008 alone

Worldwide, the water bottle industry is valued at:◦ 800 billion dollars

PET (polyethylene terephthalate) PETE (polyethylene terephthalate – different

form) HDPE (high density polyethylene) LDPE (low density polyethylene) PP (polypropylene) PVC (polyvinyl chloride) PS (polystyrene)

Typically used in carbonated beverage containers and water bottles

Why use PET?◦ Shatter resistant◦ Strong◦ Lightweight◦ Cheap◦ Recyclable

Problems with PET/PETE◦ Leach carcinogens and other harmful chemicals◦ ~ 25% of bottles are recycled, and the rest?◦ Biological contamination◦ Harmful byproducts leach from bottle factories

into groundwater

Bisphenol Alanine◦ Acts like a hormone (significance?)◦ Has potential to damage every organ of the body◦ Studies show the highest amount of damage is

done to the reproductive system◦ Recent study showed 40% of all receipt paper has

it Carcinogen chemicals

◦ Phthalates, endocrine disruptor◦ Styrenes, act as neurotransmitters

Plastics are synthetic compounds that do not biodegrade◦ They do however fall apart into

particles as the plastic loses its strength

~25% of all bottles are recycled, where do the rest end up?◦ Pollution◦ Pacific Garbage Patches (East and

West)