Trying to choose a safe water bottle that doesn’t leach harmful chemicals into our drinking water sometimes seems about as impossible as getting a two year old to eat a bowl of eggplant with a side of brussel sprouts for dinner.

With standards for plastic changing all of the time it seems clear that food-safe stainless steel is the safest choice out there. Unfortunately, you may have to get a second job to pay for them!

Is it worth it?

Do I seriously need to consider spending $60-80 to outfit my family of 4 with stainless steel water bottles? Well let’s take a look at some of the readily available (and definitely cheaper) options out there.

Before we begin let’s define the terms which are widely used when talking about plastic:

Polycarbonate is the type of plastic of which most water bottles are made. Polycarbonate plastic containers are made using the chemical bisphenol A (BPA). Since the 1950s, BPA has been used to produce the plastics found in water bottles, baby bottles, toys, and the linings of food and beverage cans.¹

Bisphenol A (BPA) has been surrounded by controversy for a long time. Past studies have shown that, in the United States, BPA appears in the blood and urine of 95% of people tested. Studies in mice have shown that BPA is a widespread endocrine-disruptor.
Exposure to unborn fetuses is of particular concern although it has been noted that there are many differences between mice and humans and that our bodies can process and discard (before reaching the fetus) much more BPA than previously thought.² However, since BPA is found in water bottles from which we drink, baggies holding our sandwiches, plastic containers in which we store leftovers, insulated lunch bags, plastic surrounding a piece of cheese, etc etc, one has to assume that these toxins add up fast! And in a child? I think we all know the answer.

Now on to the water bottles!

Most of us are aware that pre-filled water bottles that are available anywhere and everywhere are becoming a major problem. Not only are they filling our landfills, but they are made with petroleum (oil), which is a pollutant. They also leach a significant amount of toxic chemicals (such as BPA) when left in the sun, a hot car, refilled or microwaved.

Are refillable plastic water bottles any better?

Generally, if you look at the bottom of any plastic water bottle it will be a #1 plastic. These plastic’s are also made with BPA and leach at toxic rates if left in the sunlight, a hot car, or are re-used. The one-time-use water bottle such as Aquafina or Dasani are the same #1 plastic as the sturdier looking plastic water bottles that are sold as re-usable water bottles, or are given away as freebies from the bank, your local sports team, or at birthday parties. The current “better choices” are polypropylene (#5 pp), high-density polyethylene (#2 hdpe), and low-density polyethylene (#4 LDPE).

Sippy cups

I mention these, as most of our small children have a sippy or two. These are generally made out of #5 plastic and are relatively safe. However, it is important to note that liquid should not be left in them for long periods of time. Generally, using a new sippy, with new liquid in it every day is a good rule of thumb. If water has sat overnight in a sippy, it’s a good idea to dump it and get a new one out of the cupboard with fresh water/milk/juice. Because I wash my sippy cups in the dishwasher (top rack only) I try to replace them every 6 months to a year. Anything that’s been through the dishwasher many times, chewed on, or is damaged in any way is worth replacing frequently. These also should not be left in the sun, a hot car or microwaved.

Kleen Kanteen does offer a small stainless steel water bottle with a sippy cup lid. Very cool!

Nalgene

A high quality water bottle, touted as a “safe” plastic, and made in the USA, Nalgene is one of the better plastic options out there. Nalgene has phased out BPA from its polycarbonate bottles and is giving consumers the choice between various materials. For side by side comparisons on the water bottles they do or will offer visit Nalgene

Aluminum

I generally do not recommend aluminum water bottles. Just like soda cans or a can of beans, in order to be food grade, aluminum must be coated with plastic. Aluminum on it’s own is not safe to drink out of as it leaches into food. Unfortunately that plastic coating contains BPA. In fact it is where we are most exposed to BPA. Most people think its via plastic water bottles but in fact it is in our soda and non-perishable food cans where high levels of BPA are leached and thus consumed.

Sigg is one brand of aluminum water bottle that does not contain BPA. However, I personally do not care for their narrow necks (too hard to clean) and as stated before, don’t want anything to do with plastic if I don’t have to so I still prefer and recommend stainless steel.

Corn Resin Bottle

“This unique product combines chlorine free and litter free living. It is made from 100% United States corn and will degrade in just 80 days in a commercial compost.
It contains a water filter that is carbon based and removes chlorine and organic contaminants from regular municipal tap water.”

New Wave Enviro claims that you can “Refill this bottle up to 90 times for fresh water on the go.” I’ve yet to try this one out, but it sounds pretty inventive. Be sure to let us know if you’ve tried this water bottle and your thoughts on it!

Stainless Steel

This is possibly the very best choice out there. The major problem is cost. Because there are more and more companies making food-safe stainless steel water bottles, prices have gone down considerably in the past year. Even Costco has been selling them in packs of two for about $10 per bottle. I personally own and like Kleen Kanteen because they have wide necks and are easier to clean. I purchased mine online at Reusable Bags and highly recommend checking them out. They have competitive prices, reasonable shipping rates and tons of choices.

REI is a bit pricey but a good place to test which kind of bottle you might prefer. Amazon.com is always an excellent resource. I like to read comments about the various bottles available and then search online for the best price. Many people have recommended Overstock.com as an online place to get good deals.

Glass

There are many websites selling all sorts of fancy glass bottles. Truth is, glass is a great choice. It is inexpensive, easy to clean, can be recycled and you can tell if the children have left you any “presents” when sneaking a sip from your water bottle. Yes, small children probably shouldn’t be entrusted with glass. However, for an inexpensive water bottle that you don’t have to worry about losing or leaving in the car this is a great option. I can’t think of a better excuse to buy an iced tea or pre-packaged frappuccino! Re-use the bottle until it breaks or chips (at which point, you’ll have another excuse to buy a treat). There is no chance of leaching any chemicals and you can leave it in the sun or hot car without worry.

Whatever your choice, plastic, glass , stainless steel, corn, we’d like to hear what you’re using and why.

Sources:
fn1. Dr.Weil
Environmental Health Perspectives
Nalgene
Bisphenol-A organization
fn2. European Food Safety Authority

New Wave Enviro
Trusted MD Blog
Klean Kanteen
PCC Natural Market