Stainless Steel vs Plastic: What Is The Best Type Of Water Bottle?
If you're looking for a reusable water bottle, then you're already on the right path for a more sustainable lifestyle. But you might be wondering what is the best type of water bottle?
Many people opt for plastic because it's cheap and lightweight, but if you're concerned about environmental pollution and your own health, plastic is not the best solution. For this reason, eco-friendly stainless steel water bottles are becoming more popular. Not only are they better for the environment, but they're also safer to drink from.
Firstly, I should clarify that in this article I'm comparing reusable plastic bottles, which are already an improvement on single-use plastic bottles, to stainless steel bottles. Even though reusable plastic bottles are more sustainable than disposable water bottles, they still pose several environmental and health problems.
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Here are six reasons why stainless steel bottles are better than plastic bottles.
#1 Stainless steel is better for your health
The water you drink from your reusable plastic bottle is not nearly as healthy as you think it is. Plastics are packed full of toxic chemicals which can leach into water over time, particularly if the bottle is filled with hot liquids. The most well known of these toxins is Bisphenol A (BPA). This toxin has been linked to hormone balance and may part of the cause of your 'stubborn belly fat'.
BPA in plastic water bottles is also associated with cancer, metabolic diseases, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and fertility problems. As a result, many plastic bottle manufacturers remove BPA from their products and advertise bottles as BPA free.
That's a slight improvement. However, research shows that other chemicals found in plastic may be just as harmful as BPA.
The best alternative to plastic bottles is a food-grade stainless steel water bottle because it doesn't contain the harmful chemicals that plastic does and it won't leach chemicals, even if you fill it with hot beverages.
Read Also: 7 Reasons To Buy A Reusable Coffee Mug
#2 Plastic is one of the biggest causes of ocean pollution
Exessive plastic consumption pollutes our planet. The results are most visible in waterways that are clogged with food wrappers, packaging, and, of course, plastic bottles. Much of our plastic waste ends up in the oceans, where huge garbage patched have formed offshore. It's often referred to at the plastic soup.
The alarm bells have been ringing for too long, and plastic consumption needs to decrease drastically, or better, disappear completely. Although much of the ocean's plastic pollution comes from single-use plastics, reusable bottles are still a problem. Reusable or not, a plastic bottle will take hundreds of years to breakdown. And, when the bottle does start to degrade, it will leak toxic chemicals into the water.
Comparatively, stainless steel is 100% recyclable. It's also more durable and won't need to be replaced as often as plastic. With proper care, a stainless steel water bottle can last a lifetime.
Also Read: Best Stainless Steel Tumbler Cup
When it comes to the environment, there's no competition. Stainless steel is better than plastic. On the bright side. There is something to be done about plastic pollution and people willing to do it! The Ocean Cleanup initiative has started removing the plastic from the ocean. And it works.
* FLASKE donates 10% to The Ocean Cleanup.
#3 Cold stays cold, hot stays hot
Plastic bottles don't maintain heat. If you freeze it, the ice will melt, and if you fill it with hot coffee, it will be lukewarm before long. On a warm summers day, no one wants to drink water that that's almost as hot as tea. A significant advantage of a stainless steel bottle is that many are made with a double wall that provides thermal insulation. In short, a high-quality stainless steel water bottle will keep your cold drinks cold and your hot drinks hot.
Also Read: Why You Need A FLASKE Tumbler Cup For Your Summer Cocktails
The FLASKE bottle will keep drinks cold for up to 24 hours, even in the sun, and hot drinks hot for up to 12 hours, even when it's freezing outside.
#4 Stainless steel won't ruin your bag
Who hasn't made the mistake of taking a chilled plastic bottle from the fridge and putting in a bag? By the time you get to work or school, your notes and books are soaked with condensation. Even worse, when the plastic bottles leaks, splits or gets squashed in the morning rush. Your laptop and mobile are ruined and the day's off to a bad start.
Compare this scenario to a stainless steel bottle. It's double wall prevents condensation, the durable metal won't split or squash, and a leakproof cap keeps the water inside the container. Exactly where it should be!
#5 Stainless steel bottles save you money
Of course, we can save money by purchasing one reusable bottle instead of disposable water bottles. But how does the price of a reusable plastic bottle compare to a stainless steel bottle?
On average, a good quality reusable plastic bottle will cost between €10 and €20. Compare this to a €29.95 thermoflask from FLASKE. Although a stainless steel bottle costs more initially, a bottle from FLASKE can last a lifetime, whereas a plastic bottle will need replacing at least every few years so you'll end up saving money.
Sustainability is long-term thinking, even when it comes to costs.
Also Read: 10 Coolest FLASKE Reusable Water Bottles to Buy Online
#6 It looks better!
Perhaps the aesthetic design is not the most important reason to choose a stainless steel bottle but it's still worth thinking about. What do you prefer? A stainless steel bottle with a hip design of your choice? Or a transparent bottle that does more harm than good? That question seems easy to answer, right?
*Two examples of FLASKE designs. You'll find several more at our eco-friendly online store.