Do you use plastic water bottles? If the answer is yes, then you are one of the majority of people who find that using this type of packaging is the most convenient option for them. But is it?
According to numerous surveys only in the US, there are more than 30 million water bottles a year, being thrown away. But the more alarming information is the fact that 70% of all the plastic bottles people buy, don’t end up recycling; they rather end up polluting our environment, mainly in innumerable landfills. But you may probably wonder, how is this a problem for you?
You’ve probably heard that plastic bottles are what are the main pollutants on planet Earth for this is the fact that they take hundreds of years even more to decompose and not only that but they are releasing toxic substances into the ground, such as gases and other harmful chemicals. As a result, it not only affects the quality of water we drink and the food we eat, it also has a strong impact on the air we breathe, and finally, it doesn’t only pollute our environment, it also pollutes the environment for other species, slowly but surely changes the climate, warming our atmosphere and already causing a huge crisis, when it comes to our living environment.
That being said, the real question is: What can you do about it? We should first look at the big picture. Bottled water as such should be limited when it comes to mass production, and the biggest world’s manufacturers should find a way to make their products more sustainable, changing the chemical formulas for packaging, and creating something that would be biodegradable, since it is the only way to at least partially solve the problem. However, that is something that doesn’t have a lot to do with you, since you, as an individual, do not have that many choices when someone asks what you can do about it. The first thing that certainly comes to your mind when asked this question is simple yet effective – the only thing you can do is try to limit the number of plastic bottles you are usually using, in order to produce less plastic waste. How to drink your water then? The answer is simple. You can (and you most certainly should) try using reusable water bottles!
What can I choose from?
It seems like every other option, except for plastic bottles is better for your health. Just to help you better understand why products made of plastic are bad for your health, we first need to look into the weather conditions they are being exposed to, since it’s been proven that high temperatures change the plastic quality and help release numerous dangerous chemicals into the water you are drinking. Nonetheless, the most common water containers on Earth are made of polymers, which are synthetic materials that can be either high or low-density. The same type of plastic is being used for prescription bottles and other liquor products. However, the shiny coat that makes these bottles look presentable and attractive is the problem when it comes to your health since it’s usually a combination of several compounds that are proven to be toxic. Not only that, a substance called BPA is known as a dangerous source of hormonal imbalance that people experience nowadays, due to prolonged usage of plastic products.
Luckily, there are numerous alternatives on the market that you can choose from. These bottles are not only better for your health, but they are also good for saving your money and cutting the expenses you would have if you continued using the products made of plastic. On the market, you can find great options such as glass, stainless steel, or aluminum bottles, from numerous manufacturers, in different shapes, sizes, designs and with a wide price range from which you can find what fits you the most.
However, it seems like the endless battle between stainless steel and aluminum bottle lovers will never come to and end! Why is this? And what is the difference between these two materials? Let’s dig into that.
According to uCan Packaging, when comparing them, we need to take several factors into consideration. These factors could be the weight, the size and the price of the product. Other than that, health benefits are the main thing that should be considered when choosing the perfect water bottle for you.
Talking about safety, it seems like both aluminum and stainless steel are equally safe for your health. Aluminum battles have a protective layer while on the other hand, stainless steel bottles don’t come with any lining. Both of them can be reused for a long period of time, with no health problems, although there is an ongoing discussion about the aluminum safety over an extremely long period of usage. A good thing to know is that not every drink is great to drink from aluminum bottles. The reason for this is the fact that aluminum is reactive when it touches certain liquids. These bottles also need to be hand-washed, in order to remain healthy. You will have more options if you go with aluminum bottles, since they are more visually pleasing and more manufacturers try to develop amazing design solutions that you might like.
On the other hand, stainless steel bottles have their own benefits, such as the fact that you can drink almost anything and you don’t have to bother about the aluminum being reactive. However, you will have to worry about another thing – allergies. In case you are allergic to stainless steel, you need to stay away from these products. The problem with this is the fact that people often aren’t aware of that until they experience some health issues. The other downside of having a stainless steel bottle is the fact that it warms up easily if you are drinking something hot, and that you might expect your drinks to have a specific taste.
Finally, it all goes down to your personal preferences. This includes the way you want your bottle to look like, the amount of time you are planning on using it, and of course, the budget you have for this product. Nonetheless, whichever you choose, keep in mind that you are doing a fantastic thing for your planet!
