The other day I was at a friends house (contrary to popular
belief I DO have friends) and we were just sitting around
talking and he offered me something to drink. That
something was a bottle of water. I am not sure if he was
being sadistic (knowing the business that I am in) or if it
was true hospitality. Not important.
I figured just out of curiosity I would take him up on the
offer and see what kind of eco bullet he normally indulged
in. He disappeared into his kitchen and emerged with the
environmental nightmare. As I reached for it, I noticed
something was different. I couldn't immediately put my
finger on it, but something was definitely different. After
opening it and fumbling with it I came to realize that the
construction of the bottle had been altered.
I noticed that the cap was smaller and the neck of the
bottle was shorter...visibly shorter. I took a sip and as
most do, tried to put the cap back on the bottle, yet it was
such an arduous task that I decided to risk spilling it so
it remained open and uncapped.
So now the mystery was solved. As I looked at the label, the
manufacturer had put something to the effect "Now with a
smaller cap and neck, friendlier to the environment" How
politically correct and considerate I thought to myself,
with extreme sarcasm. Now by adjusting their production,
they will eliminate a spot in the land fill for the
equivalent to Mount Everest!!
My point is that by altering the production, reducing the
amount of plastic, is by virtue an admission of their own
guilt!! To eliminate 10% of the problem is not admirable at
all!! What about the other 90%?
This "good will gesture" equates to eliminating part of a
weed in your lawn and as any good landscaper will tell you
is not effective. Remnants of the weed is still there and
will increasingly become more of a problem unless the weed
is totally removed!
So, have the bottled water companies (at least one that I
know of) developed a conscience? Well, in my opinion, not
really. The futile attempt to project concern about the
environment is not only ineffective, but it also adds
numbers to their bottom line. Less material equates to
bigger profits!
