Alternatives to Disposable Water Bottles
Why Designer Water is Bad for You and Our Planet
Nov 8, 2008
Unless you live in an area where potable tap water is difficult to come by, there is almost no reason to buy bottled water in Canada. Some may argue that bottled water has fewer toxins than regular tap water, but unless the source to your tap is tainted, that bottle of designer water is a waste of money.
Contaminants Found in Bottled Water
According to the results of a two year study by the Washington-based Environmental Working Group (EWG), an average of eight contaminants could be found in bottled water. In Jeff Donn's October 15th Associated Press article, Wal-Mart and Giant Food bottled water had the highest concentration of chlorine by products. One such chemical is trihalomethane, a substance linked to causing liver cancer. If that isn't motivation enough to ban bottled water from your home, consider the plastic they are stored in.
Health Problems can be Caused by Plastic Bottles
Heat, cleaning agents, and even the UV rays of sunlight cause BPA to seep into our drinking water source. BPA has been seen as carcinogenic, and often mimics the body's own hormones, causing long-term health problems.
Health Canada has also published 'Health Risk assessment of Bisphenol A from Food Packaging Applications' in the summer of 2008. It revealed that The National Toxicology Program has some concerns about the effects on the brain, behaviour, and prostate gland in foetuses, infants, and children at current human exposures to bisphenol A.
The Real Cost of Imported Water
Just because your bottled water came from Europe does not mean it is healthier for you, or the planet: Having your water travel by plane, then shipped by trucks or train to your local grocery store takes its toll on the planet's ecology too. The fossil fuels expended to transport it and refrigerate increase our carbon footprint.
Healthier, Attractive Water Bottle Alternatives
There are many reasons to drink water throughout your day. Whether sitting at your desk or working out at the gym, we should be drinking enough water to keep hydrated - but again, it doesn't have to be imported, distilled or mineral water.
If an attractive container is what motivates you to drink your eight glasses a day, we'd recommend the following way of staying stylish while keeping hydrated:
- Thermos
- Stainless steel bottles
- BPA-free, portable water filter bottles
The thermos has the advantages of being reusable and ideal for travel. It's thermal qualities can sustain your drink's hot or cold temperature longer.
The Modern, Reusable Stainless Steel Canteen
The trendy re-usable stainless steel bottles are the chic answer to those who consider a water bottle a fashion accessory. Available in a wide array of colours and patterns, they often come with keychain hooks for dangling off backpacks, or tucking into purses. Stainless steel is lightweight, but will not provide any thermal protection for your drink.
If you are truly paranoid about your drinking water, or if you are going camping in an area with non-potable water, another option is the portable water filter. It's not advisable to use the squeezable BPA-laden Brita water bottles as there is also the added waste of the disposable filter.
Mountain Equipment Co-op's MSR MiniWorks™ EX Water Filter is effective against protozoa and 0.2 micron or larger bacteria. The MSR Miniworks™ has the advantage of reducing concentrations of iodine and chlorine.
Eight Glasses of Tap Water is the Ecological Choice
While there are concerns about the quality of drinking water in Canada, the overall take is that it's still safer - and less expensive - to pour yourself a container full of tap water and take it with you, than to buy a bottle when on the run.
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