The trend towards frugality and self-care has done its job: the popularity of reusable best water bottles is now at its peak. In this article, we will show you how to choose the right bottle, how to properly care for it, and how to recycle if it breaks.
First, let’s look at the materiel: what they are and how they differ from each other.
Bottles are made of plastic, metal and glass, but there are also folding bottles – made of silicone or soft plastic. Speaking briefly about the advantages, the cheapest and lightest are plastic, the most comfortable to drink are glass, the most durable are metal. And now some details.
Plastic bottles
At first glance, they do not differ much from each other. However, the type of plastic used affects how the container behaves during prolonged use, whether it can be washed in a dishwasher, whether it is suitable for hot water and other drinks.
The main difference for the user is that some water glass bottle are suitable for hot liquids, while others will deform or release harmful substances from high temperatures.
The safest and most resistant is plastic marked 5 – polypropylene – it is allowed for the production of children’s tableware. This plastic is used to make, for example, lunch boxes that can be heated in the microwave. Both cold and hot drinks can be poured into polypropylene bottles (however, remember that a container without double walls will be uncomfortable or impossible to hold in your hands if it is filled with very hot liquid).
Manufacturers, however, often advise limiting themselves to warm water – up to 40 ° C. The point, obviously, is the resistance of other materials that are used in the body or cover.
Another important difference between plastics is their recyclability. The popularity of plastic bottles marked 7 (other) upsets environmentalists: this material is not recycled in Australia, since mixed raw materials are used for its production. But the circumstance that saves the reputation of such bottles is a long lifespan, which means a reduction in the number of disposable containers.
Tritan bottles are popular among athletes, a marketing name for a food-grade plastic specially designed for drinking utensils. Tritan is lightweight, durable, impact and scratch resistant. Bright, glossy sports and cycling tritan bottles are in demand.
How to recycle drinking bottle
All plastic bottles on Diagonal Horizon are marked with a recycling code. In Australia, recycling of plastics under the numbers 1, 2, 4 and 5 has been established – most likely, in large cities you will not have any difficulties in finding a collection point for such bottles. Keep in mind that at a minimum, you will need to remove the silicone seals and make sure the lid and body are labeled separately. Check the detailed rules at the recycling points.
Safety of plastic bottles
During production and import, all drinking Personalised Water Bottle are tested and certified. Experts check the quality of the paint coating, the resistance of materials to acids and soap solutions, and if there is a print, they also check it. The purpose of testing is to make sure that the product will be safe and retain its appearance when used.
The fears are not groundless: in an attempt to save money, factories can add impurities to plastic or use the wrong steel grade, for example. Another important factor is the content of bisphenol A, a carcinogen that can be found in non-food plastics.
Safety is affected not only by how the bottle is made, but also by how it is used. For example, water containers are not recommended to be left in the sun. When the body heats up, on the one hand, bacteria begin to multiply in it, and on the other hand, it itself begins to release various chemical compounds into the water, the toxicity or harmlessness of which depends on the material used.
Moreover, this is true not only for reusable bottles. Plastic labeled 1 PET is unsuitable for hot water (almost all mineral water, soft drinks, juices are sold in it). But bottled drinks can stand in the sun for many hours – for example, during transportation. That is why some doctors advise to refuse water in a disposable container.
Here is the time to mention one of the main advantages of reusable bottles – this is the confidence in the quality of the water you drink, because you can fill a reusable bottle with fresh filtered water at any time.
Recommended Article: How to Choose Best Water Bottles in Australia