Our overuse of plastics has serious consequences both for our health and for our environment.
The Problem of Plastic Water Bottles…
What seems like a harmless plastic water bottle contains hormone disrupting chemicals like BPA and Phthalates. BPA has been shown to cause hormone imbalance in the body and has even been linked to various types of cancers, obesity, miscarriage, infertility and neurological disorders.
Phthalates have been banned in many parts of the world and are especially concerning for men and boys as they have been linked to lower testosterone and male infertility.
The Price of Convenience
As harmful as plastics are to us individually, we are all facing unwanted exposure from worldwide plastic pollution.
Sure, plastic water bottles are inexpensive, disposable and convenient, but they are also terrible for our ecosystem. In fact, many of the negative health effects attributed to the harmful components in plastic may come from our planet’s growing plastic burden.
Many tons of plastic waste are dumped into the ocean each year. The combination of UV light and the salt of the ocean cause these plastics to break down and release BPA, Phthalates, PCBs and DDT into the ocean water. These chemicals are absorbed by small marine life and eventually work their way up the food supply.
In fact, experts now claim that no ocean in the world is free from this plastic pollution and several have said that this is the most dire issue facing our ocean and our planet today. Plastic chemicals were even found under 30 feet of ice in the Antarctic, a place not even inhabited by humans and previously not thought to be contaminated by plastic waste.
Why is this such a problem?
Plastic consumption is still rising at a drastic rate…
Trillions of plastic bags are discarded each year and these bags can take up to a thousand years to degrade. During this time, they are releasing these hormone disrupting chemicals into the ocean, groundwater and soil.
Even now, there is an estimated 46,000 pieces of plastic floating in every square mile of the ocean.
At the rate that plastic is being used and discarded and the length of time that plastic takes to degrade, it seems logical that plastic overuse could become the biggest health and ecological problem of our time. That’s why I like to support brands like Got Bags who understand what we are up against and use plastic from the ocean to make bags and backpacks and other items.
Alternatives to Plastic Water Bottles
Water bottles are not the only source of plastic waste, but they are a major source of plastic exposure. Disposable water bottles can leach their hormone disrupting chemicals right into the water you drink from them. Heat or light exposure can speed up this process, as can the amount of time the water spends in the bottle.
We can all do a lot for our health and the environment by making two simple switches:
- Switching to reusable grocery bags, produce bags, and plastic bags
- Using a reusable, non-plastic water bottle
There are so many great options for reusable water bottles now. I use mine daily for lemon water in the morning, smoothies and herbal tea throughout the day, and water.
Over the last several years, I’ve tried quite a few different plastic-free reusable water bottles and these are my favorites (in order of how much I love them):
1. Hydro Flask
Hydro flask is my favorite reusable water bottle by far. It is not only stainless steel and BPA free, but it is also vacuum sealed and insulated so it is incredible at regulating temperature. I was shocked that it could keep my ice water cold for 24 hours (with ice still floating in it!) and coffee or tea hot for 12 hours.
I have both a wide mouth water bottle and a smaller bottle for hot drinks and I use them both all the time. The only downside? Due to the vacuum sealed insulated layer, these can’t be put in the dishwasher.
2. Lifefactory Glass Bottle
This lifefactory glass bottle is another favorite, but it doesn’t insulate as well as the Hydro Flask and some others. It is dishwasher safe, which is a big plus. I don’t trust the glass as much when I’m with my children, but if I’m on my own, I love this bottle and it doesn’t leak.
3. Klean Kanteen
The original reusable water bottle that I tried and liked enough to get one for everyone on my Christmas list that year. I still love my basic steel Klean Kanteen, though it is not insulated and does not keep drinks hot or cold. Also, if you pour really hot drinks in it, prepare to burn your hand. The upside? You can boil water in it while camping and it can turn iced tea into hot tea if left in the car on a warm day (experience talking).
I still love my Klean, and they are a budget friendly reusable option.
4. Cayman Insulated Water Bottle
The Cayman only comes in one size that I’ve found (about 17 ounces) which makes it a little small for what I prefer in a water bottle. Like the Hydro Flask, it keeps liquids hot or cold for at least 12 hours. It does fit in regular cup holders, which makes it great for taking in the car or on the side of my backpack while traveling and I often prefer this one if I’m on the road.
If you haven’t already, please consider making the switch to one of these alternatives to plastic water bottles (and replace your plastic bags while you are at it!). The convenience of plastic isn’t worth the consequences for our health or the environment.
What kind of water bottle do you use?
What about the Tritian water bottles? I just ordered one and now I am wondering if that was a good choice.
I am a “cheapo.” I use previously used glass bottles (16 oz from juice concentrate, 32 oz from Bragg’s ACV). The small glass bottle from Dr. Enuff is great to carry in your handbag. They are not insulated, but I really don’t need for my water to be kept cold. I also have a favorite glass that I sip on around the house and a glass mug for my coffee.
I will switch to the metal flask you suggest to substitute my grandkids’ sippy cups!
I quit drinking from plastic water bottles years ago, but the plastic water bottles we use on our water cooler bother me. The glass alternatives are way too heavy . I wish I could figure that one out.
Love your articles.
I’ve had a pretty good run with my Flaska. They run a little expensive, but they’re built to last. https://www.flaska.us/
Can u recommend any Walter filters that I can fill up our water bottles with since I am not comfortable or feel safe using our spice water?
Here are some options: https://wellnessmama.com/8079/water-filter-options/
We use Contigos which we get at Costco for about $13-15 CND, depending on the size. Same concept as Hydros, though not as big and a fraction of the cost. I rarely find I need to haul a huge quantity of water around, but I like my water cold, so I fill the Contigo with ice and top up with water throughout the day. Ice stays for 15+ hours (never tried for longer). If I need more water, I bring along a mason jar of just water and add it to my ice—uses less energy to make something cold than to keep it cold.
A slightly unrelated aside: I never used to like ice water but now I can’t get enough of it. I think the difference is that cold used to hurt my teeth. Why aren’t my teeth temperature sensitive anymore? Using homemade toothpaste! I use a few different recipes, but bottom line is that HM toothpaste is better for me than Sensodyne! I haven’t felt a single twinge since I started using it.
Which is worse the flouride in tap water or buying spring water plastic bottles? I can’t afford a nice water filtration system, so I’ve been drinking plastic bottled spring water. It seems like getting water in giant glass containers might take up a lot of space also, which is an issue for me.
I was doing the same because I didn’t like my well water. Then I found a local water company that delivers in 5 gal container from a local spring. The cooler is $7.95 a month to rent and each 5 gal is $5.50… I absolutely love the water. I was spending just as much on bottled water, now were just eliminating all the plastic bottles.
I use a quart-size mason jar! It’s a great way to regulate my water intake–all I have to do is drink 4 of them a day and I know I am drinking enough water. I also like to make a “lemonade” drink in it with fresh-squeezed lemon, raw honey, turmeric, and ginger.
When I have hot coffee in the am I use either the 2.5 pint or 1 pint (either wide or regular mouth) with a beer cozy….works like a charm.
Ball also makes a cap adapter with a straw that I use a lot. It’s made of plastic still which sucks but it’s BPA free and reusable, plus it’s a lot less plastic than I would be using otherwise, even with a Nalgene.
I also use ReCap–also plastic but BPA free, reusable, and supporting a small business that is all USA-produced!!
I bought stainless steel reusable straws and love them.
I gave straws from glass dharma. Love them#!!!!!
Thank you…great ideas!
I don’t like drinking from plastic water bottles or using them so I’ve been pouring my own filtered water into empty Honest Tea jars (https://www.honesttea.com/blog/products/peach-oo-la-long-tea/) for the last few years as they are the perfect size. I just wash them out and tote them in my purse and carry them everywhere. Also, stainless steel does contain some nickel, so if you’re allergic to that you probably want to use glass.
I use glass, I have a keen canteen and BPA free travel bottles my sister bought me.
We have reusable grocery bags and recycle all our plastic.