Alternatives to plastic are growing and with good reason. Switching to a sustainable lifestyle will not only benefit the planet but your health as well. Reusable water bottles are stylish and functional, but more than anything else, they are an effective solution for reducing plastic waste. Here are seven reasons why you should switch your plastic bottle with an eco-friendy alternative.

The Benefits of Reusable Water Bottles

1. Incredible Durability

A top-notch eco friendly water bottle is a long-lasting choice unlike the low-quality plastic counterpart. It can be made from a range of sturdy materials, from silicone and copper to stainless steel and glass, that hold against wear and tear and can last you for years. Their long lifespan is what makes them an ideal choice if you want to significantly cut down on the waste.

2. Environmentally-Friendly

The plastic in disposable water bottles is made from chemicals toxic to the earth and the oceans that end up negatively impacting the animals and plants. Also, let’s not forget the fact that every single year, billions and billions of plastic bottles end up in landfills around the globe. Plastic is known to be one of the biggest contributors to increasing carbon dioxide emissions.

The problem with PET plastic bottles is that they’re made from a material that takes a whopping 450 years to decompose. More often than not, half of the plastic bottles end up in the oceans which is a leading cause of death in sea animals.

But there is more to the problem. The plastic used to make water bottles comes from fossil fuels. The main component in most plastic bottles – PET (polyethylene terephthalate) is made from petroleum hydrocarbons. This means that the mass production of plastic bottles is only adding to the carbon footprint, leading to increased greenhouse effects.

Therefore, by switching to reusable bottles, you’re contributing to saving the environment. If you feel like you want to leap to a more sustainable life, it’s about time to buy your first eco friendly bottle.

3. Safe for Your Health

Many know that plastic bottles aren’t good for their health, but don’t know the exact reason for that. BPA is a chemical contained in hard plastic bottles linked to being disruptive to the hormonal system in our bodies. But that’s not the only negative effect BPA has on your body.

Higher levels of it have also been linked to cardiovascular diseases, and increased blood pressure, and it’s believed to affect children’s behaviour and the brain development of fetuses. Some research shows that daily exposure to high levels of BPA (bisphenol A) may be linked to cancer in humans.

Also, the microplastic in oceans ends up being consumed by fish and other sea animals. When you eat fish, that microplastic ends up in your body and digestive system, causing many health issues.

Although it’s very unlikely to completely avoid exposure to plastic, you can start by changing your drinking habits. Reusable bottles are BPA-free plastic and a much healthier option to stay hydrated.

4. Cost-Effective

Yes, plastic bottles are cheaper than eco-friendly water bottles. When you compare the tag price between them, it makes sense to go for the cheaper one, right? Well, maybe not. Although you are paying less at the moment, plastic bottles break down pretty fast and after a short time, you end up buying a new plastic bottle.

Do you see where this is going? If you factor in all the times you have purchased plastic water bottles over the years, that’s a big chunk of money. By investing in eco-friendly water bottles you cut down on unnecessary expenses and save more money in the long run.

5. Practical

If you spend a lot of time outdoors, then you know that staying hydrated is very important. The reusable bottles are a portable and incredibly convenient option for a sip on the go. They make a great hack for a smart trip. With such a wide range of bottles, it’s pretty much guaranteed that you can find sleek designs that can fit any bag.

6. Maintain the Drinks’ Temperature Longer

Thanks to the good insulation, you can sip on cold water for many hours unlike with plastic bottles. But reusable bottles are not only for water, you can use them to store any other cold or hot drink of your preference. The purpose of the insulation is to maintain the temperature of your drink, whether it’s cold or hot.

Many people have busy lives and are always on the go and to say that this is an incredibly convenient option for busy people makes a lot of sense.

7. Drink with Style

Yes, you can sip on your water and look stylish whether you’re in the gym, travelling or out for a hike. The selection of water bottles is endless, there is everything for everyone. Different materials, shapes, designs, colours, and sizes – everyone can find a bottle to fit their style.

Alternatives to Disposable Plastic Bottles

Glass Water Bottles

Glass has been around a lot longer even than plastic and it has more of a natural feel to it. Many people find that glass does not leave a residual taste in the water like plastic does.

The only downside of glass is that it’s prone to breakage. However, there are also some glass bottles resistant to breakage, meaning they are less likely to shatter to pieces if they fall. But most manufacturers and retailers often sell glass bottles in a silicone sleeve designed to protect the glass from breaking even if it falls. If you’re looking for a pure drinking experience, then glass is a great option.

Stainless Steel Water Bottles

If you’re looking for a well-insulated sustainable alternative, this is easily the best option. Stainless steel is resistant to corrosion, so you don’t need to worry about your water sitting in the bottle for many hours. The sturdy material is resistant to wear and tear and is ideal for everyday use.

There is such a wide range of stainless steel bottles to choose from. Bottles with straw lids and regular lids, different colours and sizes, bottles for kids with cute prints and designs, and the list goes on. Most importantly, stainless steel water bottles are leach-proof so rest assured you’re completely safe while sipping on your water.

Ceramic Water Bottles

While not as prevalent as glass and stainless steel, ceramic has been around long enough and is another great alternative to plastic bottles. Ceramic is sturdy enough to keep your water cold longer and provides the same quality as glass bottles.

Although ceramic is more prone to breakage, like glass, thanks to the latest technology ceramic bottles are designed to withstand wear and tear and are less likely to shatter.

Silicone Water Bottles

Nowadays there are also pure all-silicone water bottles that you can find and they offer some unique benefits. Due to their nature, silicone bottles are very lightweight and collapsible, so you can easily fold and pack them without taking up much space. The advantages of silicone bottles make them ideal for hiking, travelling, and if you’re always on the go.

Copper Water Bottles

Copper is a relatively newer material used in water bottles. Copper water bottles have a cool and sleek design, looking very aesthetically pleasing. There are also recycled copper bottles free from BPA, phthalate and PVC with some cool and unique patterns. Copper is a 100% recyclable material, so if you’re looking for zero-waste products, then copper is the way to go. It’s worth noting, however, that you shouldn’t store citrus juices in copper bottles and remember to use them only for drinking pure water.

Plant-Based Water Bottles

Did you know that some plant-based bottles are edible? It’s wild, right? Well, although you may not want to eat them, it’s safe to know that you can drink water without worrying about ingesting harmful chemicals. Also, they are 100% biodegradable.

It’s important to know that your water bottles are safe for you and your family. And today, more than ever, there are hundreds, if not thousands of water bottles to choose from.

So, if you want to create healthy drinking habits and be part of the solution for plastic reduction, you’ve got some strong reasons to consider buying reusable bottles.