One Less Bottle a Day

As the earth’s residents, we need to protect the planet whenever possible. One way we can do this is in being mindful of the ways we consume the most abundant liquid on earth - water. Reusable water bottles are better for the environment, more cost-efficient, and take up less space in landfills. With thousands of options available, it may seem like there is no right or wrong answer when it comes to a reusable water bottle, though we’ve made up a simple guide to help you choose.

One of the basic things to look out for is whether or not the bottle is BPA free, which usually applies to plastic bottles bought in bulk, not reusable water bottles. BPA (bisphenol A) is a chemical that can leak from the plastic bottle into your water or into the ground after being tossed into a landfill. For reusable bottles, there are a few material options to choose from: plastic, stainless steel, and glass are the most common.

Plastic Bottles

You can purchase both hard plastic and soft plastic bottles; soft plastic bottles can conveniently collapse and be stored in your bag, whereas it is easier to drink from hard plastic bottles. In hard plastic, the  24-ounce Thermos Nissan Intak Hydration Water Bottle is a great size for most reusable water drinkers and is leak-proof.

If you are looking for a collapsible bottle for traveling (or just for the convenience), the Vapur Element Bottle is a great option. This bottle has 4.5 stars from 706 reviews on Amazon, so you are likely to find that Vapur Element is the bottle for you.

Stainless Steel Bottles

Stainless steel bottles are usually the go-to bottles for cleanliness, durability, and use. However, some find that the taste is a bit tainted from the stainless steel material. Water will taste a little different depending on what material you drink from. It basically comes down to a personal preference, and you really won’t know what you like until you try them. The highest rated stainless steel bottle is the Klean Kanteen Stainless Steel Bottle with Loop Cap, which looks like the most basic of water bottles, but this tried and true bottle is a winner.

Glass Bottles

Possibly considered the best bottle for taste preference is the glass water bottle. We are most accustomed to drinking from glass. However, the downfalls are the weight of the bottle and the durability of the glass. Glass bottles are often not allowed in gyms because they can shatter. Consider where you will be using your bottle most often and let that help you decide the best material for you. One of the best glass bottles is the Lifefactory 22-Ounce Beverage Bottle from Amazon.com. The thin plastic shell will help protect from bumps and small drops and large opening allows for easy cleaning.

There are a ton of options available on the market. You can customize your bottle to fit your personality, your workspace, your travel habits - almost anything! We’re here to aid you in choosing the correct reusable bottle for your lifestyle. If you have additional questions regarding reusable bottles, ask with the hashtag #DrinkTap, like Minnesota AWWA on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter.