Charge for bottled water considered
Bottled water giants who are taking New Zealand’s water for free could be charged, a new report says.
A report by Deloitte contemplates charging the some 52 local water bottlers in New Zealand who are producing bottled water.
But NZ Drinks director Tony Vesper says the industry should not be charged, and the cost would be passed down to the buyer.
‘‘It will become another consumer tax,’’ Vesper said.
However, plastic water bottles spawn a colourful array of plastic lids, plastic rings and lid seals on beaches, and the Ministry for the Environment says the water bottles have been identified as an environmental issue.
Kiwis consume about 5 million packaged drinks a day, but currently only 35 to 45 per cent of ‘‘recyclable’’ beverage containers are actually recycled – including plastic water bottles.
Charges from bottling water, passed on to the consumer, could push prices higher and discourage the purchase of plastic-bottled water.
Vesper said if water bottlers were charged, other industries taking up water for food and drink production should also be charged.
According to figures from Love Food Hate Waste, it takes 1125 litres of water to make one loaf of bread, 5000 litres of water to produce 1kg of cheese, and 15,500 litres to grow 1 kg of beef.
‘‘Why would you isolate probably the least profitable, smallest part of the industry?’’ Vesper said.
‘‘Nobody’s getting rich off water, that’s the bottom line.’’
In its report, Deloitte found placing a charge on water could reduce demand for bottled water products.
‘‘Our analysis suggests that demand for bottled water in New Zealand is likely to be responsive to price changes.
‘‘This means that a water charge could have a significant impact on domestic demand.’’