Bottled water controversy erupts again. How much of the issue is real and how much is environmentalist activism? And can/will anything change?

Seems like we have had this argument every couple of years for the last 15 years.

The environmental movement is once again saying that bottled water is evil, primarily because of the plastic bottles that are left over. (it’s not the water that’s the problem, they say, it’s the container)

On the other hand, there are hundreds of other drinks (juices, soda, iced coffee, iced tea, sports drinks) that come in plastic bottles exactly like a water bottle.

So why single out bottled water, when the universe of plastic is so much larger?

Is there a cogent argument here? Or is this another attempt at behavioral modification by a minority of activists who are yearning for an issue to rally behind?