Crude Oil: Crude oil is used to make bottled water plastic, which is Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET or PETE). 

 

PET Plastic: To make PET, crude oil is polymerized to make chains. The polymerization process is complicated and consists of many chemical reactions. There are two types of impurities, or contaminations. The first one is called diethylene glycol, but it is usually not made enough so that it affects the PET. The second one is acetaldehyde which is produced in the polymerization process and later in manufacturing. A lot of this impurity producing can lead to an odd taste in the beverage later on.

 

Bottled shaped PET Plastic: The shaping of PET into a bottle shape has a few steps to it. The first one is blow molding, where the PET is placed into a mold which creates the form of a thin tube, called a parison. It is then put into a bottle-shaped mold. A mandrel, or steel rod, is slid into the parison using pressurized air. It is stretch blow molded due to all the pressurized air and takes the form of a bottle. It is then cooled, taken out of the mold, the excess plastic is removed and then the bottle is ready to be filled with water.

 

Packaged and transported to retail stores: The bottle is filled. Some manufacturers have been known to use municipal sources–which is where our tap water comes from–and others have used other resources. The bottles are then transported to retail stores. Did you know that the amount of energy used to packaged and ship single-use plastic water bottles could power 190,000 homes? 

 

Bought: This is the step where the consumers come in. If you don’t buy the bottles, then the companies will stop selling! 

 

Consumed: Many times, the consumers don’t even completely finish drinking the bottle! If you buy them, at least drink the whole thing.

 

Recycled or Thrown away: 73% of plastic bottles are thrown away. If you do end up buying it, it is very important to recycle. This is a very easy step. All you have to do is put the bottle into the right bin.

 

Landfills: The stuff that gets thrown away obviously gets sent to landfills.

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Decomposes into microplastics:  Over time, plastic turns into microplastics which end up in the air and water. 

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Oceans: A lot of plastic bottles from landfills end up in the ocean and pollute the great oceans of the earth.

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Collected: Some organized cleanups have collected plastic and plastic bottles from the oceans. This is the last place to interfere with the cycle. Not buying is definitely easier and a better option though.

 

Eaten by sea creatures: Much of the plastic in the ocean is mistaking for plankton or other prey and is eaten by sea creatures. 

 

Dead sea creature: If a sea creature gets enough plastic in its body, then it will die.