7 facts that show how much plastic you save by making sparkling water at home

Every bubble comes with a hidden cost: plastic. If you can't live without sparkling water, you probably lug home packs and packs of bottles every week. The good news is that there's a way to keep enjoying your favorite drink while drastically reducing that packaging. In this article, we'll look, with real data, at how much plastic you save by making sparkling water at home and why a machine like CONGAS is one of the simplest decisions for living more sustainably.

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Why bottled water is a plastic problem

Before we get into the numbers, it's good to put things in context. Bottled water is convenient, but it leaves a trail of single-use packaging that most of the time is only used for a few minutes. And while we tend to think that "everything gets recycled," the reality is more complicated than it seems. Let's look at it data by data.

1. Around 3.5 billion plastic bottles are consumed in Spain each year

The figures speak for themselves: in Spain, an estimated 3.5 billion plastic bottles are consumed each year, which is equivalent to about 100 bottles per person. Multiply that by the members of your household and by the years, and the volume of packaging that passes through your kitchen is enormous.

2. A regular sparkling water consumer can use more than 300 bottles a year

If sparkling water is your go-to drink, your packaging footprint skyrockets. It is estimated that a person who regularly consumes sparkling water can use more than 300 plastic bottles a year. That's where a home machine makes the biggest difference: the more sparkling water you drink, the more bottles you save.

3. A single CO2 cylinder replaces dozens of bottles

Here's the key to saving. With a home carbonation machine, a single CO2 cylinder can produce up to 60 liters of sparkling water, avoiding around 180 single-use bottles. Instead of buying, carrying, and storing packs, you just refill your reusable bottle, carbonate it, and you're done. The cylinder is refilled or exchanged when it runs out, generating no waste for every liter you drink.

4. "Recycling" is not as effective as we think

We often justify bottle consumption by thinking that they all get recycled. However, an analysis by the consultancy Eunomia suggests that, compared to the officially declared 71%, the actual separate collection rate for plastic bottles in Spain is only around 36%. In other words, a significant portion of these containers are not actually recycled. The surest way to reduce waste is not to recycle better, but to generate less plastic from the outset.

5. Fewer bottles also means less transport and fewer emissions

The impact of bottled water doesn't end with the packaging. These bottles are manufactured, filled, packaged, and travel long distances by truck from the source to the supermarket and to your home. Each of these steps adds to emissions. By producing your sparkling water directly in the kitchen with tap water, you eliminate a large part of that logistics chain and contribute to reducing the carbon footprint associated with your consumption.

6. In addition to plastic, you save on your shopping bill

Sustainability and your wallet often go hand in hand. While a sparkling water machine involves an initial investment, in the medium term you save on the constant purchase of packs of carbonated water. And there are practical advantages not seen on the receipt: no carrying heavy items from the supermarket, no running out of stock, and freeing up space that bottles used to occupy in the pantry and recycling bin.

7. With the new regulations, reducing packaging is more relevant than ever

Legislation is moving in the same direction. From January 1, 2025, PET plastic bottles up to three liters sold in Spain must incorporate at least 25% recycled PET (rPET). This is a positive step, but it reinforces the underlying idea: single-use packaging is an increasingly regulated and costly resource. Choosing a reusable system puts you ahead of this trend.

How CONGAS turns tap water into your sustainable alternative

CONGAS is a sparkling water machine designed so you can enjoy your bubbles at home without relying on single-use bottles. Operation is simple: you fill your reusable bottle with water, carbonate it to your preferred level of fizz, and it's ready in seconds. Every liter you prepare is a liter you don't buy bottled, and every cylinder you use replaces dozens of plastic containers.

It's one of those small daily decisions that, when added up over the year, have a real impact: less plastic in your kitchen, less weight to carry, and a more conscious way to enjoy sparkling water.

Ready to stop buying bottles? Discover CONGAS sparkling water machines and calculate how many containers you would stop using this year.