Every year, more than 500 billion plastic bottles are consumed in the world, a figure so large that it is difficult to even imagine. If we divide it by the days of the year, we arrive at approximately 1.3 billion bottles per day.

In Europe, the numbers are equally impressive: it is estimated that around 46 billion plastic bottles are consumed each year, or more than 126 million per day. And in Italy? We Italians are among the largest consumers of bottled water in the world, with a consumption of 14 billion bottles per year, corresponding to almost 38 million bottles per day. This data sadly places us at the top of the European rankings for bottled water consumption.

Why do we consume so much plastic when tap water is great?

But let's stop for a moment and ask ourselves a question: is it really necessary to consume all this plastic? Tap water in many countries is perfectly drinkable and controlled, often with more stringent quality standards than bottled water. In Italy, for example, tap water is generally excellent and, where it has a less pleasant taste, it would be enough to install a filter to improve its taste.

Not only is choosing tap water more sustainable, it is also much cheaper. A family could save hundreds of euros a year simply by saying goodbye to plastic bottles and opting for a filter jug ​​or a microfiltration system.

The most virtuous countries and the least

When it comes to plastic bottle consumption, there are huge differences between countries. For example, the United States is one of the largest consumers in the world, consuming about 50 billion plastic bottles each year. In China, consumption is also very high, with numbers exceeding 70 billion bottles per year.

In Europe, Italy stands out (negatively) with a consumption of 14 billion bottles per year, as already highlighted, while countries like Germany and France consume respectively about 10 billion and 9 billion bottles per year. These numbers are still significant, but more contained than the Italian ones.

On the other hand, countries like Norway and Sweden, thanks also to a more deeply rooted culture in the use of tap water, record much lower consumption, settling at a few billion bottles per year.

What can we do?

The first step is simple: reduce the consumption of single-use plastic. Using tap water is an ecological and conscious choice that we can adopt immediately. For those who just can't give up bottled water, it is important to choose recycled plastic bottles (rPET) and dispose of them correctly.

Furthermore, supporting policies that incentivize returnable systems and reduce the production of single-use plastic can make a difference. If we all took even a small step in this direction, the global impact would be enormous.

It's time to change our habits, for the good of the planet and future generations. Because, in the end, the solution is simpler than it seems: just turn on the tap.