Bottled water

Ms N. Bianchi's letter about Farsons' vast experience in using non- returnable bottles for its products reminded me of an experience I had some years ago when I used to buy San Michel still water in glass bottles. Believe it or not, none of the main outlets at Attard stocked it.

A salesman went so far as to try to persuade me that it did not exist (how's that for marketing?). So periodically I used to drive up to Rabat to buy two crates from the Farsons distributor. I felt it was my small contribution to the wellbeing of our environment.

One fine day I was informed that the production of water, in the form I was used to, would be discontinued. Instead, the company started producing glass bottles of a smaller capacity at double or triple the former price. When I phoned in to complain I was told that the company had opted for a more attractive bottle which was not directed for the home user. Research had shown that the former bottles were not being produced at a profit.

Having no alternative, I started buying local water in plastic bottles.