Health By Nature…Where Clean Meets Green!

In our rushed and hurried society, bottled water has become a major product of      convenience.  It is easy and quick to buy a case of bottled water to grab on our way out the  door, or to run in and buy a bottle at a convenience store or at the gas station.  But did you   ever stop and think about the implications of using bottled water regularly?

FIrst, there is an environmental impact.  Significant energy is used to produce, manufacture, and transport bottled water, which in turn uses nonrenewable energy sources.  In addition, about 80% of water bottles end up in landfills, and those bottles that get recycled still require energy  in the recycling process.

Economically, bottled water can put quite a dent in the pocketbook.  Think about the cost of fetching a glass of water from the tap, and then compare it to the cost of a bottle of water, which is often overpriced municipal water.

There are different sources of bottled water.  Spring, mineral, sparkling, purified, and drinking are some of the common varieties.  But surprisingly, water from the tap can be purer and healthier than the bottled variety.

For starters, the plastics used to make many bottles of water contain phthalates, which is why these bottles are meant for one-time use–never wash and reuse them, as the plastic is prone to break down and leach phthalates.  The resin used in the bottle is indicated within the triangle recycle symbol at the bottom. #7 is not recommended, as it may leach BPA (bisphenol A), which is identified as a hormone disruptor.

Using a reusable water bottle and filling it with purified water from the tap is a much better choice over bottled water for environmental, financial, and health reasons.  There are various home water filtration products, from affordable carbon-filter pitchers to mid-range under-counter filtration systems.  Filters can also remove a common contaminant called cryptosporidium, which often gets past municipal water treatments as well as bottled water processing.

When selecting a reusable bottle, there are a number of factors to consider: material safety, weight, mouthpiece/lid, and size.  Aluminum bottles like the Swiss made SIGG have no taste compromise, are lightweight, and have a sturdy construction.  Stainless steel bottles like those made by Klean Kanteen are a bit heavier and sometimes add a slight metallic taste to water.  Plastic bottles should be selected carefully to ensure they are phthalate- and BPA-free.  Popular Nalgene water bottles are phasing out their products containing BPA.  Camelbak uses a BPA/phthalate-free polymer for their bottles.  You’ll also want to consider use; a bottle you  take in the car or to the office will probably be different from one used for biking or exercise.

So resolve to break the bottled water habit.  Make the small investment of some sort of home filtration system and a good travel bottle, and you’ll be making a significant investment in your planet, your health, and your bank account.