In the summertime heat, staying hydrated is important. But with millions of single use water bottles being disposed of every year, it’s a good green idea to make a reusable bottle part of your plan. So which to choose?
Plastic
For affordability, weight and versatility, plastic wins. Plastics #2, #4, and #5 are the healthiest bottle options as they are not known to leach. However, all plastic bottles may retain odors or stains and after repeated use. Plastic #2 is commonly recyclable, and plastics #4 and 5 may be brought back to any London Drugs for recycling.
What does BPA-Free mean? Bisphenol-A is a chemical that was once used extensively to make polycarbonate bottles. In 2010, Canada declared BPA a toxic substance, and now almost all water bottles are made BPA-free. For BPA-free polycarbonate plastic options, Look for plastic #7, like the Nalgene Everyday or Rubbermaid Refill/Reuse models shown here.
Stainless Steel
This material is non-reactive and requires no coating, so it’s one of the purest options out there. However, stainless steel may dent if dropped and it definitely heats up on a hot day. If you like art, the Threadless line from Thermos features innovative designs sourced from the online community.
Aluminum
There are some awesome high-tech bottle designs made from aluminum, as it is lightweight and strong. But because aluminum can react to acidic liquids, containers of this type must be coated on the inside. So look for high-quality models such as the Swiss SIGG and Wenger Eco-Bottle options shown here. Both are recyclable and feature BPA-Free linings.
Lids, Mouths and More
There are a wide variety of lids to choose from, whether you like to sip, pour or glug. Some are even recyclable. Again, look for #2, #4 or #5 stamped on them if this is important to you.
What’s the greenest deal?
My favourite is the Aladdin Sustain e-Cycle bottle, made of 90% recycled food-grade, dishwasher-safe #5 plastic, containing 22.5% post-consumer waste. It’s also 100% recyclable and has a wide mouth opening perfect for adding ice cubes.
But the important thing is to get a water bottle that is handy, functional and attractive enough that you will actually use it. Remembering not to leave it behind is another whole article.
