I am so proud of the students who are leading the drive to rid campuses of bottled water (Twin Cities + Region, Sept. 4).

Why would any of us need to buy bottled water? Don't we drink it from our faucets at home? Couldn't we fill permanent bottles with water and carry them with us?

Think of the waste that could be saved! Think of the money that could be better spent.

GRACE WIGGEN, COLUMBIA HEIGHTS

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Companies do not simply "bottle" tap or spring water. Rather, they incur significant production and operational costs to bring it to market in a safe, government-approved manner with the consistent taste customers expect. Despite the article's suggestion, plastic water bottles account for less than one-third of 1 percent of municipal waste. Our companies support recycling projects from coast to coast, and we are reducing packaging to use less plastic, are incorporating more fuel-efficient fleet vehicles and are using energy-efficient buildings.TIM WILKIN; PRESIDENT, MINNESOTA BEVERAGE ASSOCIATION