Water bottle deposits may sway more Americans to recycle

It only makes sense – and it definitely makes cents.

Many of the states that already have nickel and dime bottle deposits for beer and soda are now adding bottled water to the list.

Four states already added container deposits to water bottles, and another five have legislation in the works to join them.

U.S. consumers purchase an average of around 30 gallons of bottled water a year, according to a Pacific Institute study. That’s an increase of 70 percent from 2001 to 2007.

The actual water doesn’t make bottled water bad. It’s the production and distribution that’s a problem. It takes 2,000 times more energy to produce bottled water than ordinary tap water.

And at a time when oil conservation is a high priority nationally, it takes millions of barrels of black gold to make and transport clear bottles of the world’s most abundant resource.

Not surprisingly, the American Beverage Association is condemning these states’ actions, saying they’ll hurt taxpayers and industry.

The ABA called Connecticut’s February decision to add a deposit to water containers a “money grab placing the burden of government squarely on the backs of hardworking Connecticut families.

Most American mayors don’t agree. In 2008, the U.S. Conference of Mayors approved a resolution to encourage phasing out any governmental spending on bottled water.

This debate is still raging in Los Angeles. The city was said to spend $184,000 on bottled water in 2008, even though Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa asked to ban such frivolous spending.

Although some politicians likely just want to add deposits to help sustain state budgets, the benefits are as clear as … well, water.

Expanding the bottle deposit promotes recycling and – perhaps more importantly – promotes tap water as a much better option.

Besides, more than half of all bottled water doesn’t come from Rocky Mountain springs, it comes from the same water towers now feeding our faucets.