Bottle is a common household item, used to contain liquids, and is often made of glass or plastic. It can be used to store drinks, water, oil and many other liquids. It is also used for storing food, cosmetics, and medicines. Bottles can be designed with various colors, labels, shapes and sizes. They can be decorated with logos and artwork to promote the brand they are bottled for. Bottles can also be capped to seal the contents inside.
The term “bottle episode” is a term coined from the television show Cheers. The episodes would take place entirely on the set of the bar, saving production costs by not having to film outside. This type of episode has become a popular format for many TV shows. It allows for a slower pace and more time to explore character and relationships. Some people use the term to refer to any episode that takes place in a single location.
Plastic is a synthetic material created by mixing petroleum hydrocarbons with other chemicals. It has a very low melting point and is resistant to heat, making it an ideal choice for containers that require a high strength-to-weight ratio. Most bottles are made of polyethylene terephthalate (resin identification code 1, PET) or high-density polyethylene (HDPE). Bottles for carbonated beverages and some non-alcoholic drinks are made of polycarbonate, which is made from a mixture of bisphenol A (C15H16O2) and phosgene. Polycarbonate is a more expensive plastic than others, so it is typically used in high-end reusable bottles such as nursing bottles.
Once a plastic bottle is no longer in use, it can be recycled into new products such as carpet fibers, tote bags and strapping materials for packages. Its light weight makes it easy to transport to recycling centers. Most single-use plastics end up in oceans where they are broken down into smaller pieces by sunlight and sea organisms. These microplastics may form large, circulating currents called gyres, such as the Pacific Garbage Patch.
The water footprint of a bottle is the total amount of freshwater consumed by each step of its production, from the extraction of oil or natural gas to the production of the resins that become different types of plastic. This metric is not commonly discussed, but accounting for it highlights how much the production of a single-use plastic bottle encourages consumers to pour good water down the drain. The water consumed during the extraction of oil or natural gas, the processing of these materials into the plastics that make up our bottles, is much higher than most consumers realize. A “water footprint” of a bottle can help reduce this unsustainable consumption. It can also help inform policy and regulatory decisions that address the global challenge of water scarcity. It can also serve as a tool to identify opportunities for reducing waste in our communities. Using less plastic can benefit the environment, and also help protect public health by keeping chemicals out of the water supply.
