ABSTRACT The tension between individual freedom and the public interest has been at the center of environmental debates since Garrett Hardin’s article on the tragedy of the commons. Debates over bottled water are no different. Opponents of bottled water criticize its wasteful production, exaggerated advertising, and lack of stringent regulation. Indeed, bottled water may present a unique harm to the public interest. This does not mean that coercive action is the only policy solution. By understanding the reasons why individuals consume bottled water it is possible to design policies that allow for preservation of choice and protection of the public interest.

中文翻译：

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下水瓶：为了公共利益而束缚或拥抱个人自由

自加勒特·哈丁（Garrett Hardin）发表有关公地悲剧的文章以来，个人自由与公共利益之间的紧张关系一直是环境辩论的中心。关于瓶装水的争论没有什么不同。瓶装水的反对者批评其浪费的生产，夸大的广告宣传以及缺乏严格的法规。的确，瓶装水可能对公众利益造成独特伤害。这并不意味着强制性措施是唯一的政策解决方案。通过了解个人饮用瓶装水的原因，可以设计出能够保留选择权和保护公共利益的政策。