Depends on its type and expiration date. It's best to buy a reusable one.
With the arrival of spring, park paths and stadiums have become more accessible to runners. During and after an active run, your body will need water to ward off dehydration. But what is more suitable for this - a disposable or reusable bottle? Do water containers have an expiration date? What dangers lie in plastic? Let's figure it out.
Does the bottle have an expiration date?
You can often see an expiration date on the packaging. But does this mean that the water is spoiling? Yes and no. The water itself doesn't get any worse. After a while, the chemicals from the plastic bottle begin to seep into the water and affect its taste and smell.
For example, the Food and Drug Administration does not require expiration dates on bottled water. But because plastic begins to leach over time, the lifespan of such a product is usually two years from the date of manufacture.
Selecting Your Perfect Glass Water Bottle: Types and Features
Now that you're sold on the benefits of glass water bottle, let's explore the different types available:
Classic Glass Bottles: These simple beauties are perfect for everyday use. They come in various sizes, from handy kid-sized bottles to large ones for long outings.
Glass Bottles with Sleeves: These bottles come with insulating sleeves to keep your drinks cold or hot for extended periods. Perfect for school, sports practice, or picnics.
Glass Infuser Bottles: Feeling fancy? Infuser bottles allow you to add fruits, herbs, or even cucumber slices to your water for a refreshing, natural flavor boost.
Wide-Mouth Glass Bottles: These bottles are wider than traditional ones, making them easier to clean and fill with ice cubes.
Glass Straw Bottles: These bottles come with built-in glass straws, eliminating the need for disposable plastic ones. Great for the eco-conscious adventurer!
Which is better: disposable or reusable bottles?
Besides saving money in the long run, using a reusable bottle is great if you care about the environment. According to the Water Project, US landfills are now overflowing with 2 million tons of discarded water bottles. Only one such product out of five can be processed.
Another concern is that storing water in any container for an extended period poses a potential health risk. Many bottles still contain the chemical BPA, bisphenol-A. Being an endocrine disruptor, it affects the body's hormones. BPA is safe at low concentrations, but its use in infant formula packaging, baby bottles, and sippy cups is prohibited.
Although plastic water bottles are considered disposable, many of us still refill them. When used repeatedly or left in the sun, chemicals leak out of bottles. The heat helps break down the chemical bonds in the plastic, allowing the substances to pass directly into the water.
How to care for a reusable bottle?
To avoid exposure to any chemicals:
・Never reuse a disposable bottle - frequent use will break down the plastic, especially if washed at high temperatures;
・Purchase a BPA-free plastic bottle or Stainless steel travel tumbler;
・Store bottled water in a cool place, away from direct sunlight, household chemistry and solvents.
If you purchased a reusable bottle, here are a few ways to care for it:
・Ideally, wash it every day with warm, soapy water;
・Use a long brush to scrub the sides and bottom;
・Dry the bottle well to prevent bacteria from re-entering;
・Check if it is dishwasher safe. If yes, it will save you the extra cost;
・Do not put carbonated drinks in Stainless steel travel tumbler. This may cause corrosion and damage to the cover.
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