Make your own sparkling water
Why This is Green
The simple act of making your own sparking water, juice, or soda has a surprisingly big impact. You’ll drastically reduce your consumption of bottled beverages, which reduces waste, saves the resources required to manufacture those containers (including petroleum for plastic), and minimizes the emissions created transporting seltzer to your point of purchase.
DIY fizzy water is also nice on your wallet as it’s made from what pours free from your tap. Bottled water, on the other hand, can cost up to 1900 times more than tap—give or take—according to the Environmental Working Group.
In case you weren’t already feeling solid enough about making homemade bubbles, consider that the energy required to make water bottles yearly is equivalent to 17 million barrels of oil—that’s in the U.S. only. So says the Container Recycling Institute. What more motivation could you possibly need?
Learn More
- The New York Times: Having The Fizz Without The Guilt
- The Pacific Institute: Bottled Water And Energy--Getting To 17 Million Barrels
- NRDC.org: The Burden Of Buying Bottled
- Environmental Working Group: Bottled Water Quality Investigation
- Container-Recycling.org: Down The Drain--Plastic Water Bottles Should No Longer Be A Wasted Resource
How To
A number of manufacturers make DIY soda water makers. Look around to see what works for you. Depending on your level of commitment, and how much seltzer you actually drink, you can also set up a bar-style carbonation system.
If you prefer a little sweetness—or even some juice—with your bubbles, go for it. When you make it at home, you’re in charge of what does—or doesn’t—go in your own soda, like artificial colors, flavors, and sweeteners. What’s better than a squeeze of plain lime?
