Katie Couric's Notebook: Bottled Water

By: Katie Couric
Topics: Katie Couric's Notebook

Video:
Notebook: Bottled Water

Take a walk down the street or through the park and you'll see them – people of all ages toting bottles of water. Last year, Americans drank nine billion gallons out of those little plastic bottles. Sure, it's healthier than soda, but all that plastic is just as bad for the environment, creating an estimated 1.5 million tons of waste each year.

So, more and more places are banning bottled water. Washington University in St. Louis will end almost all sales by the end of this semester. San Francisco declared it a no-no in city offices last year. Other local governments may do the same.

Some brands, including Coca-Cola's Dasani and Pepsi's Aquafina, come from the tap – and supporters of these measures argue you're better off just filling a reusable container at the water fountain for free.

A cheap, calorie-free alternative that doesn't hurt the environment. Now, I'll drink to that.

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by kimgaleaz December 5, 2008 7:16 PM EST: Katie,
When it comes to foods and beverages, my philosophy as a Registered Dietitian and Culinary-Nutrition Consultant is all about Choice and Personal Responsibility. For many of us, me included, bottled water is a much-needed, practical choice and definitely more convenient in certain situations. And let''s not forget taste either, because many "choose" bottled water because they like the taste better than other water. So instead of banning bottled water - which in my opinion is a shortsighted and simplistic solution to all of our environmental issues - why don''t we all do a better job of RECYCLING those water bottles? Most people don''t even realize many of these water bottles are recyclable and environment-friendly. I''m always proud to convey that The Coca-Cola Company, makers of Dasani bottled water, is one of my clients and they take environmental issues very seriously. Many consumers just don''t realize it.... or the fact that Coca-Cola is also serious about providing accurate, science-based information about hydration and beverage nutrition at www.thebeverageinstitute.org. Let''s keep our choices and just do a better job of being more responsible.

Kim Galeaz, RD CD
Culinary-Nutrition Consultant
Galeaz Food & Nutrition Communications
Indianapolis, IN; Reply to this comment


by vanitydog December 5, 2008 2:34 PM EST: People are generally pretty lazy here in Detroit, they have so many land fills here (75) that recycling is concidered a thing of the past. As for water quality, dish soap has rocket fuel in it, and it goes down the drain every day along with perscription drugs, also known to leave traces.; Reply to this comment


by rlflipse December 5, 2008 1:27 PM EST: As a registered dietitian I feel you are overlooking some very important issues in your criticism of bottled water. First, hydration is an essential part of good health, and bottled water is one of the many beverage choices we can make to stay properly hydrated. When away from the kitchen sink, bottled water is often the only convenient and consistently good-tasting option if in need of a glass of water. Furthermore, it is a safe and fully regulated product, and the bottles are one of the most highly recycled packages in the US. Of course, consumers have to do their part to see that the containers make it into recycling bins, but efforts to ban bottled water just leave us all with less choice when we want a something to drink.
Robyn Flipse, MS, RD; Reply to this comment


by eveningnews3 December 5, 2008 12:33 AM EST: Yesterday. 24 hours ago. Katie had a new, short hair style.
But today. 24 hours later. Her hair length is once again long.

There are only 2 possibilities.

Either Katie grew 6 inches of hair in 24 hours. Or...
This latest person is not really Katie. But is instead, an impostor.

Is somebody impersonating Katie ?

WHAT HAVE YOU PEOPLE DONE WITH THE REAL KATIE !!!; Reply to this comment


by Dstreetny December 4, 2008 12:35 PM EST: I beleive Dasani''s bottled water is actually purified by a process knowns as reverse osmosis. Also I believe that Aquafina is also labeled purified, but I don''t remember by what process.

So, while it is not unregulated spring water, it is also not just tap, it''s purified and that labeling does have regulatory precepts.; Reply to this comment


by petersemkiw December 4, 2008 5:27 AM EST: So we''re getting rid of all those plastic water bottles - Great!
Now how do we get rid of all those plastic credit cards?; Reply to this comment