The cost adds up, in both dollars and calories.  Not to mention cost to the environment. Sure, most of it can be recycled. But even in an ideal world where everyone actually did so there's a net loss every time. And materials are only the start of it.  There's the environmental impact of putting the drinks together in the first place. And even more so from shipping those very heavy items out. I'm fine with people having botteled anything for a treat. Not my thing, but whatever. But it's ridiculous how many people who claim to care for the environment are fine just going through bottle after bottle every time they get thirsty.