Which option would save the most natural resources while providing water for a person?(1 point)

Responses

using disposable plastic containers once each
using disposable plastic containers once each

drinking bottled water that comes from 100% natural sources
drinking bottled water that comes from 100% natural sources

reusing plastic water bottles several times and always recycling them
reusing plastic water bottles several times and always recycling them

using a reusable water bottle and drinking filtered tap water

using a reusable water bottle and drinking filtered tap water

Why is it a problem that plastics are not biodegradable, when other materials like metals are also not biodegradable?(1 point)

Responses

Metals can be broken down by corrosion.
Metals can be broken down by corrosion.

Plastics have been chemically altered from natural resources and cannot be restored.
Plastics have been chemically altered from natural resources and cannot be restored.

Metals can at least be recycled and used more than once.
Metals can at least be recycled and used more than once.

Plastics are more of a problem because they float in water, but metals sink.

Plastics have been chemically altered from natural resources and cannot be restored.

The option that would save the most natural resources while providing water for a person is using a reusable water bottle and drinking filtered tap water.

To determine which option would save the most natural resources while providing water for a person, we need to consider the lifecycle of each option and its impact on the environment.

1. Using disposable plastic containers once each: This option involves using single-use plastic containers and throwing them away after each use. It contributes to the production of more plastic waste, which puts a strain on natural resources like fossil fuels used to make plastics and the energy needed to produce and transport them.

2. Drinking bottled water that comes from 100% natural sources: While this option may seem more eco-friendly since it comes from natural sources, it still requires the production of plastic bottles and their transportation. Bottled water production also consumes resources such as water and energy.

3. Reusing plastic water bottles several times and always recycling them: This option involves reusing plastic water bottles before recycling them. Reusing bottles reduces the need for manufacturing more bottles, saving resources. Recycling the bottles ensures their materials can be used to create new products instead of ending up in landfills or oceans.

4. Using a reusable water bottle and drinking filtered tap water: This option is the most environmentally friendly. By using a reusable water bottle, you eliminate the need for single-use plastic bottles altogether. Drinking filtered tap water reduces reliance on bottled water, which requires resources for production and transportation.

Based on these considerations, the option that saves the most natural resources while providing water for a person is using a reusable water bottle and drinking filtered tap water.