A sustainable water bottle is a great solution to reduce waste and make sure you always have drinking water with you. Choosing the right bottle is also a consideration when deciding to buy a sustainable water bottle. This is not always so quick and easy, as there is a wide range of water bottles to choose from, from design and material to the practicalities of using the bottle.
This article will help you find the right water bottle for you, based on your lifestyle and daily habits.
Why choose a sustainable water bottle?
Firstly, it is a more environmentally friendly way to reduce waste in your daily life. The raw materials used to produce one sustainable bottle are smaller and more sustainable than those used to produce plastic bottles.
Every time you refill your sustainable water bottle, you are saving the environment from another plastic bottle you could have used.
Secondly, a sustainable water bottle costs much less in the long run than plastic water bottles that are bought every day. It is more cost-effective to buy one quality water bottle and pay more for it than to drink water from plastic bottles and let the amount of money you spend grow every day.
Thirdly, the tap water available to all of us at home is just as healthy as drinking water bought in a shop.
What to consider before choosing a bottle
Before you go to the shop to buy a sustainable water bottle, it is a good idea to gather information and find out in advance which bottle is right for you. Below are some useful factors to consider when choosing a water bottle.
What is the bottle for?
Knowing what your bottle will be used for will help you make the right choice. Water bottles can be for everyday use or for special occasions such as sports, running, travelling, cycling, etc.
Based on the functionality of the bottle, you will also be able to figure out which bottle is the right choice for your lifestyle.
Flexible and rigid bottles
Water bottles are also produced in a flexible form for different needs. For space-saving applications, such as travel cases and bags, a bottle that can be folded would be useful. This way it is easy to take with you, takes up little space and can be folded back into its original shape at any time. Such bottles are particularly useful for multi-day hikes.
However, there are also many advantages to conventional bottles – bottles that do not change shape and are not designed to do so. A rigid bottle is much more comfortable to drink from because it does not change shape.
And they are often useful as other functional tools. When you need to improvise, a rigid water bottle can also serve as a water-proof can, a dough roll and sometimes even a hammer.
Quick access to water
The purpose of a water bottle is to carry drinking water and quench your thirst – so it is particularly important to find a bottle that makes access to water as easy as possible. The opening of the bottle, whether it has a screw cap or a quick-release cap, plays a key role.
Whether the opening is wide or narrow – if you need to access water on the move, for example during a marathon, a narrower, straw-like opening would be more convenient.
There are now a variety of designs that are functional and convenient for different situations – so you can drink on the move.
Hot tea or a refreshing drink?
If you’re looking for a bottle that keeps the temperature of your drink, then you definitely need a thermo bottle. They come in different varieties. But on average they can keep a drink hot for up to 6 hours and keep a drink cold for up to 24 hours. This is a great solution to help you stay warm on chilly winter walks and hikes. Same with warm weather. Thermo bottles will make sure you always have refreshing juice, ice cold water or a healthy smoothie with you.
Note that thermo bottles are often more expensive, heavier and more massive. So if you are not particularly concerned about maintaining the temperature of your drink or only plan to use the bottle to refill water, it is definitely a better idea to save money, space and weight and buy a normal water bottle.
What material should I choose for my bottle?
By now, you’ve probably made a rough choice about what you need the bottle for and what it might look like. Choosing the right bottle material is one of the key factors.
The most widely used sustainable bottle materials are plastic, metal and glass – with different variations. For each material there is a list of advantages and disadvantages, which can be found below.
Plastic water bottles
Choosing a sustainable plastic bottle is definitely better than buying plastic water bottles every day. Plastic also varies in quality and, while it is not the most sustainable material, it has several advantages.
Plastic bottles give manufacturers the opportunity to express themselves, as the material can be used to create a bottle that is both flexible and rigid, coloured and clear. The plastic bottle will also certainly be cheaper in terms of price.
Advantages: lightweight, more affordable, endless design possibilities, transparent, water freezable.
Disadvantages: not very durable material, non-recyclable, potential health hazards from BPA.
Metal water bottles
Sustainable metal bottles are durable. Both in terms of the material in the long term and in terms of impact resistance. Metal is more likely to bend than to dissolve when damaged. When choosing a metal bottle, it is also important to think about a durable cap.
Advantages: reliable material, durable, no health hazard, lighter than glass, can also be used as a cooking vessel, dishwasher safe.
Disadvantages: heavier than plastic, possible metallic taste, can be dented.
Glass water bottles
Glass bottles offer the best water drinking experience. Something about the glass gives it that pleasant feeling that makes water taste fresher and better. However, like any other material, glass has its drawbacks.
Advantages: no health risks, tasteless water, transparency allows you to keep track of the amount of water you consume, dishwasher safe.
Disadvantages: heaviest material, brittle, not suitable for extreme temperatures such as boiling water or freezing.
In the light of the above information – may you find a suitable water bottle!