Our health relies on staying hydrated. Both mental and physical functioning can be harmed by dehydration. Grabbing the occasional bottle of water at a convenience store is a small price to pay to avoid passing out during a long hike or a spirited game of outdoor volleyball in 93-degree weather.
That’s a lot of plastic water bottles, and it has a pretty terrible impact on the environment. There are also health concerns about single use plastic bottles, since they are manufactured with phthalates. There is growing research about how these chemicals affect people.
But for now, let’s look at the impact on our wallets.
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Reusable Bottle Options
The obvious solution to disposable water bottles is to get your hands on refillable water bottles and fill them up yourself. Keep one at home, one at work and one in the car.
With over 100,000,000 plastic bottles used every day around the world, using a reusable bottle is better for your wallet, health, and the environment.
What should you look for when buying a reusable bottle or three? It depends on your lifestyle and budget. Most reusable bottles are made from metal, glass, or plastic. There are metal/bamboo and ceramic ones too. It’s important that you wash out your reusable bottle regularly so mildew or mold doesn’t appear.
Before buying a reusable bottle, do a quick check on your habits to make sure you buy a bottle that you’ll actually use. Do you want one with a built-in straw? Is it something you might clip onto a bike or backpack, and so needs a handle or loop? If you put ice into your drinks, you might want to get a bottle with a wide mouth. If it is easy for you to refill, then look at smaller sizes. If you are on the road or water isn’t easily available, a larger one will work best.
When it comes to reusable bottles, you’ve got a few options.
Glass
Glass bottles are best if you want your water (or whichever liquid) to not be contaminated by other flavors or chemicals. There are shatter resistant reusable glass bottles available (which might be a pain to recycle, since they are made differently from regular glass). Glass bottles usually come with a protective sleeve.
There are both insulated and uninsulated glass bottles. These bottles are a little heavier but keep the taste pure.
Metal
Metal reusable bottles are usually made with stainless steel or aluminum, both relatively light and safe metals. Metal bottles are generally very durable, though stainless steel is stronger than aluminum.
Aluminum is lighter, but also more likely to have a metallic taste leech into the liquid. There may also initially be a metallic taste with stainless steel, but washing it frequently reduces that. Check to make sure that if the metal bottle is lined with plastic that the plastic is BPA free.
Plastic
Plastic is the most common, and usually the least expensive, reusable bottle. These come in all sizes, and it is possible to fold some up to keep in your glove compartment, desk drawer, or backpack until needed. Plastic reusable bottles are usually the lightest version, even when insulated. They are made with the most variety, and often are the least expensive option.
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It is important to make sure your plastic bottle was not manufactured with the chemical BPA (Bisphenol A). The easiest way to do this is to look at the bottle recycling information on the bottom. Don’t buy it if it has a 3 or 7 recycling code. Also look for the BPA-free insignia.