Think of two examples that reveal some of the complexities of these issues and describe in which ways this industry impacts our systems. Use your systems thinking skills.
- One example of a complex marketing issue that pertains to the bottle water industry is companies such as Dasani and Aquafina both have mountains on them to “sell” to the consumer. This image causes the buyer to think the water is coming from a fresh mountain spring when in reality it is just bottled tap water. After a little bit of push back on both brands of bottled water Aquafina agreed to put “bottled tap water” on the label. Although this is a baby step in the right direction the fact that bottled water isn’t regulated can cause major sickness to the public.
- Another example found of the bottled water business being self regulated is that the FDA doesn’t have control over bottled water that is packaged and sold in state. They only “regulate” the bottled water that is moved between states. Each bottled water company does their own tests for their bottled water and water source but they don’t have to submit the report to the FDA. Once again this is a show of how self regulated the business is which can cause outbreaks of illness and even lead to cancer in some cases.
What information really surprised you?
- Joe Doss who is part of the bottled water association and said under oath in court that he could tell the difference between bottled and tap water
- Craig Stevens was presented quotes from people who were associated with Pepsi said tap water was their competition even though he specifically said “we are not competing with tap water”
- Another comment Craig Stevens said was that he “never heard of bottled water recall” even though there have been
- The FDA representatives that were being interviewed for the documentary were quite unwilling to talk about BPA. They even said if they had known the person conducting the interview would talk about BPA they wouldn’t have agreed to the interview.
- 50% of Americans don’t have curbside recycling
Do you think watching this documentary will have any effect on your water drinking habits? Why or why not?
- After watching this documentary I learned new information about how ignorant the bottled water industry. Personally I already use a reusable water bottle and I would say I’m very good at using it all the time. However this documentary will make me want to stop buying all bottled drinks (i.e. bottled iced tea, bottled lemonade, etc).
