Bottled water is everywhere in our society but it has really only been around for a few decades. Many people can even remember a time without water bottles. But with water bottles everywhere from business meetings to soccer games and with concerns over tap water (as in Flint, Michigan), it is understandably hard to avoid bottled water.
Plastic water bottles are one of the most unnecessary and wasteful products on the market. And yet, millions of bottles of water are sold each year. Energy is spent creating the plastic bottles, pumping and transporting the water, only to have the water consumed in a few minutes and the bottle recycled (at best) and thrown in the landfill or ecosystem (at worst). Corporations selling bottled water pay very little to extract water and charge exorbitant prices to consumers. The water extraction is often controversial in local communities who express concern as seen recently in Michigan.
Several years ago I swore off bottled water. I was tired of seeing the environmental impact of the millions of plastic water bottles. I also found that bottled water was not safer than tap water! In fact, regulatory agencies test municipal tap water more frequently than bottled water and the bottled water industry has even fought against setting limits for chemicals like phthalates in plastic bottles.
It was an easy decision to make but not as easy to implement!
The biggest barrier that I have experienced in ending bottled water use forever is convenience.
We know that we can always buy bottled water wherever we go (schools, movie theaters, etc.). So we don’t have to remember our refillable bottles each time. Luckily, more and more people are saying “no” to bottled water and it’s easier than ever to kick the habit!
Are you ready to avoid bottled water for good?
There are a ton of amazing reusable water bottles on the market now! You can get ones made of stainless steel, glass, vacuum insulated, or with a straw and in hundreds of colors or patterns imaginable.
Here are some of my favorites:
Klean Kanteen: These bottles are made of stainless steel and they have a ton of different sizes and colors including small bottles geared towards kids. I have a small 18 oz bottle with a stainless steel and bamboo lid that fits perfectly in my purse. My boyfriend also has a giant 64 oz bottle that works great on long work days.
Hydro Flask: This company has amazing vacuum insulated bottles to keep beverages cold or hot for hours. I have their 24 oz bottle which is a great versatile size and a must for anyone who likes ice-cold water.
Liberty Bottleworks: This is an awesome company that manufactures their water bottles in the U.S. (right here in Washington) made from recycled materials. They have independent artists create art for their bottles so there are always amazing new designs.
A note on plastic: I don’t use plastic water bottles at all – even if they are reusable and BPA free. At the end of its life, plastic is usually downcycled into something of inferior quality (unlike steel and aluminum). Also, being a fossil fuel based material, I would rather avoid all plastic where I can. There are also other additives in plastic that can leach into water (BPS, phthalates, etc.). I just stick with durable metal or glass!
With all the reusable water bottles out there, many public places like malls, universities, airports, etc. now have water bottle refilling stations. You can also ask nicely and most restaurants or cafes will fill it for you.
With all of the amazing options out there — why do we still use bottled water?
The biggest barrier?
So many people forget to bring their water bottle from home!
That is the one reason I keep hearing from people who still buy bottled water. Make it a habit to bring your water bottle everywhere and you’ll save money and the environment!
Top Tips:
- Get a water bottle that you absolutely love and will want to carry with you all the time. Consider it an accessory (and necessity)!
- Make a home for your bottle. When I was in school, my water bottle was always in my backpack. Now I have a smaller water bottle that fits perfectly in my purse and I know it’s always there. You can leave your water bottle in the fridge, in your car, or in a spot on the way out your door but make sure it is in a convenient home.
- Refill your water bottle at home and always leave the house with it full. If you are out and about with an empty water bottle, find a refilling station or take it to a Starbucks — they are usually really nice about refilling it!
- Put a reminder near your door or in your car so you never leave home without it. Get my super handy reminder list by signing up for my email newsletter.
What if you forget your water bottle at home? Here’s how to avoid bottled water even if you forget:
- Drink from a water fountain
- Fill your reusable coffee mug from your morning coffee with water.
- Get an actual glass of water from a restaurant, cafe, bar, or eatery.
- Last resort: use a compostable or paper cup for water, buy a glass bottle of water (it can at least be recycled), or buy a new reusable water bottle and fill it (and then keep it with you all the time!).
Since implementing these tips, I never leave home without a water bottle. And I have not bought bottled water in over 5 years!
Once you make it a habit to always bring your water bottle with you, you’ll never be left thirsty trying to resist buying bottled water!
Have you given up bottled water? How did you do it? What is the most challenging part? I want to hear from you!