Coke's Priority is Marketing Dasani, No Matter the Costs to Our Environment

Coca-Cola paints itself as a corporation that is leading solutions to health and environmental problems we're facing as a society, but in action nothing could be further from the truth. I'll give you one example:

Last November the New York Times exposed that the head of the National Parks Service had abruptly tabled a plan to install water-bottle refilling stations and stop the sale of bottled water at Grand Canyon National Park. The reason: Coca-Cola, a major donor to the National Park Foundation, had intervened.

It's no coincidence that Coke hijacked a proven waste-reduction plan that would increase access to water through "filling stations." Corporations like Coke have long tried to convince Americans the only place to get clean, safe drinking water is from a single-use bottle of Dasani.

The Grand Canyon was never meant to be Coke's concession stand, but that's not how Coke saw it. Just as plastic water bottles have no place trashing the Grand Canyon, Coca-Cola has no place directing the operation of America's natural treasures.

The entire world took notice in February, when the iconic Grand Canyon National Park told Coke to take a hike and end the sale of bottled water including Coke's Dasani. Despite Coke's claiming Dasani is recyclable, 30% of the waste stream in one of the most beautiful places in the world, the Grand Canyon, was coming from disposable bottles. The enjoyment of this American treasure was decreased by discarded plastic bottles: "the single biggest source of trash" found inside the canyon, according to the top parks official at the Grand Canyon and the architect of the plan.

The true healthy alternative to bottled water, for our planet and bodies, comes right out of our taps and drinking fountains. As this interference unfolds the writing is on the wall, if not yet on the bottle. Coke has proven its priority is on marketing Dasani - no matter the costs - to our environment, health and public water systems.

So, Mr. Kent my question to you is this: How can Coke claim it's a healthy solution for the planet and public health, when it's causing 30% of the waste stream in some of America's most beautiful places while decreasing access to safe, reliable, affordable, public water in public places, and creating a world where our most essential resource is being bought and sold for profit. How is that healthy for people or the planet?