While they were once reserved for hikers and kids’ lunch boxes, in the last decade, reusable water bottles have evolved into a status symbol. But that doesn’t make them any less important in your zero-waste goals.
In the early 2010s, wellness culture started to grip the mainstream. Tofu, self-care, and yoga became normalized and celebrated (we are, of course, talking about the West here exclusively), and reusable water bottles became a sought-after accessory. While they were once reserved for hikers and kids’ lunch boxes, in the last decade, reusable bottles have evolved into a status symbol — and a booming market. In 2022, the reusable water bottle market was valued at more than $8.9 billion. And it’s not hard to see why reusable water bottles are desirable. After all, they represent, a healthier, more sustainable approach to life.
What are the benefits of using a reusable water bottle?
The most obvious benefit of using a reusable water bottle is that drinking more water is good for you. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that getting enough water every day can help prevent dehydration, which is associated with brain fog and constipation. Staying hydrated helps to keep everything running smoothly, in contrast.
But this benefit isn’t exclusive to a reusable water bottle, of course. After all, it’s nothing that a single-use bottle can’t offer, too. The real merit of a reusable water bottle is the impact it has on the planet, or rather, the impact it doesn’t have.
Every day, around 1.3 billion plastic bottles are used around the world, and when they end up in the trash, or in the rivers and oceans, they don’t biodegrade. Reusable water bottles help to reduce this waste by reducing demand for single-use plastic, which, in turn, also reduces the energy footprint required to produce single-use plastic bottles.
What are reusable water bottles made from?
The growing popularity of reusable water bottles means that there are many different types on the market now — and not all were created equal. Some hard plastic bottles may contain a chemical called bisphenol A (BPA), which, research suggests, could be linked with an increased risk of certain diseases, including cancer. That said, BPA-free plastic water bottles are easy to find.
Many brands also use materials like stainless steel, glass, aluminum, and even bamboo to make reusable water bottles. Each has its own drawbacks and benefits. Glass, for example, is easy to clean and it’s recyclable, but it’s also easily breakable. Stainless steel is more durable, but it can also be heavy, too. To help you figure out which reusable bottle suits you best, see below for some of our top brand recommendations.
The best reusable water bottles
Ocean Bottle
If it’s the environmental benefits of reusable water bottles that appeal to you, Ocean Bottle takes this impact to the next level. Each of its dishwasher-safe, leak-proof bottles is made with recycled stainless steel and helps to stop 1,000 plastic bottles from entering the ocean. And here’s how: for every purchase, Ocean Bottle actually pays for 1,000 ocean-bound plastic bottles to be collected before they end up as marine plastic pollution. The bottles are durable, but if you do break yours, each purchase comes with a 10-year repair and replacement scheme.
Le Creuset
Luxury brand Le Creuset is about more than just cookware. It also offers these aesthetically pleasing, stainless steel insulated bottles, which are available in a wide variety of colors, including Shell Pink and Bamboo Green. The design is durable and efficient, and will even keep your water cold for up to 24 hours.
Tayeka
These double-insulated bottles from Tayeka are BPA-free, leak-proof, and durable. They’re also easy to clean and have no flavor transfer (which means you can sip an iced coffee and then water out of the same bottle without the sneaky lingering flavor). Depending on your individual preference, you can also choose from a spout or straw lid and a number of different colors, too.
Chilly’s
Chilly’s is one of the most popular reusable water bottle brands for a reason. It offers a wide selection of styles, colors, and patterns, all of which are highly efficient, leak-proof, and durable. In fact, the double-walled vacuum insulation will help to keep your water nice and cold for 24 hours straight. Plus, its new Series 2 range water bottles feature antimicrobial technology, which helps to prevent the build-up of bacteria, mold, and fungi.
Monos
Monos blends sustainability and ultra healthy in the Kiyo water bottle that uses UVC technology to purify your drinking water by eradicating up to 99.99 percent of bacteria. This makes it a great take-along to airports and international travel so you can stay hydrated without the risks.
S’wheat
S’wheat also has a pretty big environmental mission. In fact, the Scotland-based brand is striving to “restore the natural environment.” Its reusable bottles are made from entirely plant-based materials, and each purchase supports a tree-planting project around the world. The brand’s bottles are also toxin-free, easy to clean, and lightweight. And don’t worry if you’re not in Scotland, because the brand ships worldwide.
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