Plastic water bottles have their benefits. They are very convenient and allow you to transport water safely from place to place. However, there are disadvantages to using these containers. Chemicals from plastic can leech into the liquid stored inside the vessel. Plastic containers also have hidden environmental costs, which can lead to the disuse and disrepair of public systems. If you are uncomfortable using a plastic drinking container for any of these reasons, consider acquiring a reusable, stainless steel vessel.
Leeching Chemicals
A study conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health found that drinking from plastic bottles increased the level of bisphenol A (BPA) in the subject's urine. This chemical has been linked to cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The chemical moves from the plastic bottle into the liquid. Heating the plastic has been shown to cause higher levels of chemical transmission.
Waste
According to LighterFootstep.com, a resource that promotes Green lifestyles, plastic water bottles create more than 1.5 million tons of waste per year. While many of these plastic water bottles can be recycled, some do find their way to a landfill. Plastics take a very long time to biodegrade. LighterFootstep.com also points out that a large number of plastic bottles that don't make it to the recycling plant end up in water, where it presents a danger to the aquatic ecosystem.
Production
Plastic requires petroleum to produce, and LighterFootstep.com points out that plastic requires up to 47 million barrels of oil a year to produce. The plastic also requires transportation on trucks and ships. The production that goes into a plastic water bottle adds to the user's carbon footprint, even if it is not evident when you purchase the container from a local store.
Cost to the System
Bottled water is not healthier than the water that consumers can get through their taps. The water delivery system in the United States is well-regulated, which ensures a quality product. With a great deal of money going to plastic bottles of water, LighterFootstep.com points out that if this money were directed to the public delivery system, even greater improvements to quality and delivery could be made.
Reuse Issues
A bottle of water that you purchase at the store may be convenient at the moment, but it does not encourage reuse. These plastic bottles are more difficult to sanitize than a stainless steel water vessel or cup. This discourages reuse and adds to the amount of waste that you produce.
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