April 06, 2022
We're all guilty, but the consequences can be disastrous for your health.
Most of us don't hesitate to refill our single-use water bottles. After all, it's all for personal hydration! And there's nothing wrong with a simple half gallon water bottle with sleeve, right?
Wrong! According to experts, disposable water bottles may harm your body more than they would do you good. Why? Bisphenol A (commonly known as BPA), a chemical used in the production of plastics, is to blame for your water problems.
This dangerous chemical can leach into the water and quickly grow dangerous bacteria in the bottle's cracks—one of the reasons you should avoid straws as well—and the health consequences are severe.
This brings us to the second most important reason you should stop using non-BPA-free plastic bottles: the environment.
BPA's Origins
We've all seen water bottles labeled "BPA-free". So, exactly what is BPA? Why are we worried about it?
Bisphenol A, a member of the bisphenol family, is abbreviated as BPA. It is a key raw material in the production of epoxy-based can linings and polycarbonate bottles and containers. PET bottles commonly contain trace amounts of BPA residue. PET can degrade and generate BPA in long-term storage or reused, aging bottles and containers, then migrate into liquid contents.
As a hormone-like compound, BPA interferes with endocrine functions by competing with normal hormones for receptor binding. As a result, BPA has the potential to inhibit cell proliferation, brain development, and fertility. That is why we do not want it to appear in items that come into contact with food or drink.
Why You Need to Ditch Single-Use Water Bottles for Good?
Single-Use Bottles May Cause Health Issues
When single-use plastic bottles are used repeatedly, many experts agree that they can leach chemicals. Long-term exposure to these chemicals may be harmful to your health.
BPA is one of these chemicals, and it has been linked to hormonal imbalance, fertility issues, certain types of cancer, and metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. According to recent research, several popular bottled water brands have been found to contain significant amounts of microplastics.
That’s why it is best to use reusable water bottles with time markings to keep you safe and hydrated.
Waste Contributes to Global Warming
Single-use Plastic bottles are mostly made of oil, and the oil is extracted from the earth and then converted into a material known as PET, which is then used to make single-use water bottles. This entire process is energy-intensive, and according to one study, each 1.5-liter bottle emits approximately 200g of greenhouse gas.
There are also greenhouse gas emissions from transporting the bottles from their point of manufacture to the point of sale and greenhouse gas released as the bottles slowly decompose. If you're looking for simple ways to reduce your carbon footprint, switching from single-use water bottles to reusable water bottles is a good place to start.
Harms Wildlife
Too often, single-use plastic bottles end up in rivers and oceans, where they degrade and are eaten by sea creatures. There have been numerous reports of seabirds and turtles suffocating or dying from starvation due to plastic-filled stomachs.
Stop using plastic bottles and start refilling an eco-friendly water bottle if you don't want more animals to be added to the list of endangered species.
Disposable Bottles Cost More in the Long Term
Consider how much you spend each month on bottled water. Include bottles purchased while out and about, at work, on vacation, or at the gym. You might be surprised to learn that simply refilling a reusable water bottle can save you up to, if not more than, $30 per month.
Naturally, you must first purchase a reusable water bottle. A high-quality 1-gallon reusable water bottle from the H2O Capsule costs just under $30, so your investment will pay for itself in less than a month.
Alternative
If you need to reuse a water bottle, make sure to wash it properly first. Most water bottles don’t make for easy cleaning, so it can be tricky. But if you must reuse one, it’s best not to skip this step.
Whether you want to reuse water bottles for convenience or to help the environment, you might be better off choosing reusable H2O Capsule products instead.
They’re easy to clean after every use, and you don’t have to worry about bacterial overgrowth or chemicals leaching into your water. On top of that, they're much better for the environment.
Due to these reasons, we recommend you switch from single-use water bottles to reusable H2O Capsule water bottles.