Boxed Water, Anyone?
It had to happen: boxed water is here.
Recently, commentator/comedian Bill Maher hypothesized what would happen if the only sacrifice required to curb climate change was for people everywhere to give up their TV remotes. His theory was that, after an intolerable stint of shuffling betwixt couch and television, harried viewers would finally give up and resume clicking the world toward apocalypse.
It’s an amusing premise, though one seasoned with the nagging aftertaste of truth. For sustainability will ultimately require changing many small habits, which when weighed in the aggregate, make a big difference.
Few of these habits have received as much attention from environmental advocates as disposable water bottles. Why water? Mainly because (disposable) bottled water adds an avalanche of industry to a resource that is readily and cheaply available at the tap.
Pointing to the success of bottled water, one could make a compelling case for a bottled air industry. There could emerge rainforest and mountain flavors. Cracking open a bottle would provide a lungful of rarefied airs from exotic locales.
Alpine Air. Belgium Breeze. Wyoming Wind. In the realm of the absurd, possibilities are endless.
Yet bottled water has become a staple of Americans on the go, and plucking it from the shelf plays a part in the grocery store shopping ritual for millions of us.
Toothpaste?
Check.
Noodles?
Got ‘em.
Bottles containing the same stuff drawn nearly free from household tap?
Score.
Now enter boxed water. The company’s name is Boxed Water is Better, and it is marketing the product as an earth-friendlier alternative to plastic bottles.
