A Study on the Social and the Environmental Impacts of Bottled Water & A Design Solution to Improve the User Experience of Reusable Water Bottles.

摘要

The consumption of bottled water is likely to emerge as a global trend in the coming decades. The expansion of the bottled water industry and rapid growth of bottled water sales has caused serious concerns regarding the possible contamination of bottled water, the impact of its refuse on the environment, and the management of water resources. Some factors accelerating the sales and use of bottled water are complex and multifaceted and involve pollution, values, politics, water shortages, commercial behaviors, consumption behaviors, a widening disparity between the rich and poor within society, and the unfair distribution of resources. Any single solution is unlikely to alter the overall circumstances. However, some relevant issues may be altered or alleviated through individual effort, such as the habit of drinking bottled water. Based on the data collected through surveys and interviews, if the user experience of a reusable water bottle can be improved by increasing its portability, the consumers' intention to use reusable water bottles will increase, resulting in encouragement of the habit of drinking tap water and a decrease in the reliance on bottled water. The more that people drink tap water, then the less that bottled water consumption will negatively affect the environment, society, and the public health.