With plastic pollution becoming an increasingly hot topic, it’s no wonder that eco-conscious consumers are seeking alternatives to the ubiquitous plastic water bottle. Fortunately, there are a number of options that are both sustainable and stylish. From glass to plant-based cartons, we’ve got a roundup of some of the best products on the market for those who want to make a difference.
The most popular (and usually the cheapest) alternative to plastic bottles are reusable plastic ones. They come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, and can be easily folded up to store in a glove compartment or desk drawer until they’re needed. The key with these is to make sure that you buy one that has not been manufactured using BPA (Bisphenol A). Look for the bottle recycling information on the bottom – 3 or 7 will mean it’s made with recycled plastic and is BPA free, while a plastic-free insignia means the same thing.
Glass bottles are another great option, although they are more expensive than plastic ones. However, they do have many benefits including that they’re BPA free and completely recyclable. Plus, they’re a lot more durable than plastic bottles and come in tons of designs to suit your style.
Ceramic bottles are another good option for those who value aesthetics over durability. These are also BPA free and can be reused over and over again, without compromising the quality of the water inside. They’re also dishwasher safe, and can be frozen or microwaved. Lastly, they can be a great option for those who are sensitive to the taste of plastic water bottles.
There are also a variety of branded water bottles that use a different type of plastic called PHA (Polyhydroxyalcanoate). These are a bit more pricey than traditional plastic, but they do offer the advantage that they can be fully composted once you’ve finished with them. In fact, the company Cove has worked with a waste handler in California to confirm that their bottles do break down in real life composting systems.
Plant-based bottles are a new addition to the sustainable options for bottled water, and are gaining popularity as a way of cutting down on the number of disposable plastic water bottles that end up in landfills or polluting our waters. These are produced from raw bio-sourced materials, so you can pop the whole bottle, cap included, into your garden or green waste bin to be broken down naturally.
Another alternative is boxed water, which has been growing in popularity, largely due to effective marketing. This is a water bottle that is actually a composite product, and contains paper, plastic, aluminium, and sometimes other materials as well. So, while it’s a step in the right direction, it is still not as environmentally friendly as some of the other products on this list. Hopefully, with further research and innovation, we’ll eventually be able to replace these hybrid bottles entirely with other sustainable and more environmentally friendly options.