It came to my attention today during a presentation I was making that there are a lot of people who haven't heard the latest on plastics--especially related to water bottles. So, here goes an update--
In America we throw away over 30 million plastic water bottles on a daily basis. Isn't that amazing?!! Most of these bottles are PET (polyethylene terephthalate) #1 bottles which don't cause an immediate health risk--but do degrade and leach harmful chemicals when heated. This could be from sitting in a hot car or purchasing them from a vendor where the bottles have been exposed to the sun.
How many of us reuse these bottles? You buy a pack with the sports top and reuse them over and over until they crack or leak. STOP REUSING THEM! The plastic erodes with repeated use. This means you are ingesting contaminated water.
Get yourself a reusable water bottle. I started off with a Nalgene bottle. Even these are now being pulled from shelves for concern over potential health risks. If you have a Nalgene bottle, make sure to wash it by hand with mild dishwashing soap. Don't put it in the dishwasher where the plastic can wear down.
The best choice for reusable water bottles is to use one made from aluminum or stainless steel. There are some cool designs available from SIGG, Thinksport or Klean Kanteen. By selecting a reusable bottle, you not only make a positive impact on your health--but also a difference by reducing the amount of waste and the energy needed to produce all those plastic bottles!
Drink to your health!





