The Biggest Winner

Bottled water is a huge social justices issue on several fronts. Firstly, for the waste that is produced by the production and use of the plastic for the bottles and label, Secondly by the removal of water from local hands and areas. Both of theses issues speak to problems in water use practices. The NBC television show “the Biggest Loser” has teamed up with Brita Nalgene and other corporations to reduce the consumption of one time use plastic water bottles and go green.

“FilterForGood.Com” the web site for the campaign to reduce the use of bottled water states that “making bottles to meet America’s demand for bottled water uses more than 1.5 million barrels of oil annually, enough to fuel 100,000 cars for a year1. And that’s not even including the oil used for transportation.” This connection to the pollution of the environment goes beyond the standard ideas of dirty air, these pollutants work there way into water ways and the food chain further affecting the environment and human health. “Last year, the average American used 167 disposable water bottles, but only recycled 38.” 

The exploitation of people in third world countries are effected by this consumption of oil for plastics and transportation as well as the use of public waters for private goods.

A major network television show working with other corporations shows the ability for large corporations and industry to work together to make a positive change and underlines the larger issue at hand, being able to gather support and gathering information to have a informed public to change personal habits and create pressure on governments and business to change practices for the getter of people and the environment.