Written question asked by Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 13 July 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 21 July 2004. It was answered by Alun Michael (Labour) on Wednesday, 21 July 2004 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what her estimate is of the number of litres of bottled (a) sparkling and (b) still water consumed in the United Kingdom in each year since 2002; and what percentage was supplied in (i) plastic, (ii) glass and (iii) other materials. - Includes figures.

Answer: Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her estimate is of the number of litres of bottled (a) sparkling and (b) still water consumed in the United Kingdom in each year since 2002; and what percentage was supplied in (i) plastic, (ii) glass and (iii) other materials. [184859] Alun Michael: Figures published by Zenith International in the 2004 Sucralose Soft Drinks Report estimate that bottled water consumption in 2002 was 1,760 million litres, of which 83 per cent. was still and 17 per cent. sparkling, and 2,070 million litres in 2003, of which 85 per cent. was still and 15 per cent. sparkling. Figures published by Mintel in its Bottled Water Report in June 2003 indicates that 79 per cent. of bottled water is packaged in plastic bottles, 20 per cent. in glass bottles and 1 per cent. in cans.

Secondary information