You might be asking why I am writing about just plastic water bottle pollution when there are so many other types of pollution in the world.

Good question. Let me explain.

We live in a fast moving world and most of us are just too busy to be bothered about protecting our environment and giving Mother Earth a helping hand. We rationalize by telling ourselves that there are many NGOs out there who are dedicated to doing this. We just want to get on with our lot. Too many other daily problems are waiting to be solved. Am I right in saying that ? Have I pushed a button with you somewhere ?

Yes, I agree. I was like that too. We don’t need to look too far – just look at our immediate vicinity. Who would have time to sort out the trash, day in and day out, into paper, glass, cans, plastic, and what have you. Taking the trash out is not my favourite job around the house as it is. And I usually have to do this when I am rushing out and late for an appointment.

So, are we just going to pass this responsibility to someone else and carry on as if this environment protection issue is nothing to do with us ? Or deep down in our hearts we are feeling that there might be something we would like to do to help, if only we could.

Well, we could. And that’s why I have narrowed it down to plastic water bottle pollution. I like goal setting activities. I believe in setting a goal, taking baby steps, and working at it to achieve it. You see, if we look at the big picture of pollution around us, we would be overwhelmed because we have been, and still are, all guilty to some extent in causing the mess which Mother Earth is suffering today. Where should I start ? How should I participate ? And I am always so busy !

So decide on setting a realistic goal today to buy less bottled water (or soft drinks for that matter), let’s say, one bottle less a day, or every two days, or whatever. It’s your goal. You decide. Carry a reusable water bottle with you and fill it up from available drinking water sources. Learn to stick to your goal. At the start, you might forget to bring your reusable water bottle and resort to buying a bottle of water once in a while. But as long as you remember your goal, take your baby steps, you will achieve the end result by lowering your trashing of empty plastic water bottle to zero. And remember to decide on a timeline for this achievement of “zero bottle” as part of your goal setting.

Point to ponder : if we did nothing and carried on our habit of buying bottled water every day – even if we only buy one bottle per day – we would be adding 365 empty bottles to the pile of trash per person per year. By deciding to do something, starting from somewhere, we are making our contribution to help. We all can do this even if we have a busy schedule. In fact, this will save you time – not having to go to the corner store to grab that bottle of water while you are on the run – and save you money. Bottled water is not cheap. It adds up without us realizing it.

We are all accountable during our temporary time on this planet. Our conscience will be a bit clearer that at least we did something. Our future generation and Mother Earth will appreciate that.