Tap into water: Bottles for life that won’t cost us the earth
THOUSANDS of reuseable bottles were delivered to the region’s schools this week to help show youngsters that turning on the tap is the easiest way to go green.
The bottles have been supplied by water supplier United Utilities, who have teamed up with the Daily Post for the Tap Into Water cam-paign urging householders to ditch bottled water for tap water to help save the environment.
Drinking bottled water adds to the massive 33,000-tonne carbon footprint generated by the industry each year. The millions of leftover plastic bottles that pour into our landfill sites take 1,000 years to biodegrade.
Shaun Robinson, of United Utilities, said: “The Bottle for Life uses the latest space-age technology in its lid. Used by astronauts on the International Space Station, the return valve closure will not drip, leak or spill.
“We’ve designed the bottle so people can still feel cool and fashionable with its sporty and chic look. The North West’s water supply passes 99.93% of tests carried on its quality and it’s the best in the world.”
The bottles are made from biodegradable plastic, so when thrown away they will cause less harm to the environment.
The Daily Post dispatched 4,500 of the bottles to schools across the region. One of the consignments went to Prenton Primary school, on Wirral.
They have three water fountains fed by mains water to keep their pupils hydrated throughout the day.
Head teacher Sheila Cairns said: “The children will fill these bottles up and take them back to their classrooms.
“We’ve put posters up all around to remind them how lucky they are to be able to fill that up from the tap and how great that water is.
“It’s important to explain to them how precious our water is and that we have on tap while there are developing countries where water is very precious.”
The Bottles for Life will also help parents save money. Drinking the recommended eight glasses of water a day costs £500 a year drinking mid-market bottled water. That amount costs £1 from the tap.
Cllr Peter Dowd, Sefton’s cabinet member for children’s services, arranged for the bottles to go to three Bootle primary schools. He said: “I was keen to get on board with the campaign because, while it’s important for children to drink lots of water, we need to think of the environment as well.
“These bottles will allow parents to keep their children healthy but won’t cost the earth.”
* THE United Utilities bottles will also be available for free from the Liverpool Daily Post & Echo reception, in our city centre offices on Old Hall Street, from Monday. Numbers limited.
