Everyone knows that plastic disposable water bottles are problematic. They’re bad for the planet, contain toxins (including BPA), and cost more in the long run than reusable bottles. There are many options out there for more sustainable hydration, from BPA-free plastic bottles to stainless steel or glass water bottles. However, not all reusable water bottles are necessarily good. Here are a few reasons why stainless steel just can’t compare to glass water bottles.
Several studies have found that stainless steel water bottles are not as safe as previously thought.
- Metal water bottles may leach BPA (source)
- Many “stainless steel” water bottles are actually made from aluminum, which is linked to Alzheimer’s. Bottles made from this material generally also have a plastic liner that can contain BPA or other chemicals (source).
- Stainless steel bottles can leach iron, chromium and nickel into alkaline and acidic beverages (source)
In addition, the manufacturing process for stainless steel bottles is unsustainable. Making the product requires the processing of nickel and chromium ores, resulting in ten times more pollution than ordinary steel. The ore extraction to create the material involves energy-intensive heating that releases carcinogens, particulates and toxic material into the air, soil and water. Producing that 300-gram stainless steel bottle requires seven times as much fossil fuel, releases 14 times more greenhouse gases, demands the extraction of hundreds of times more metal resources, and causes hundreds of times more toxic risk to people and ecosystems than making a 32-gram plastic bottle (source). Obviously, the cost of one metal water bottle that can be reused indefinitely is much lower than the cost of billions of discarded plastic bottles. However, the best alternative for your health and the environment is glass.
There’s a reason why spirits and wine are bottled in glass: purity of flavor. Glass is non-permeable and won’t absorb color, odor or taste. Glass is the natural choice for better tasting beverages. Here are the other benefits of glass water bottles:
- Made from naturally abundant materials, like sand, limestone and soda ash
- Durable – will not degrade over time
- Won’t leach chemicals
- Can be used for liquids other than water without affecting the material or absorbing tastes and odors
- Dishwasher-safe
- Glass is 100 percent recyclable and can be recycled endlessly without loss in quality or purity. An estimated 80 percent of recovered glass containers are made into new glass bottles.
- A glass container can go from a recycling bin to a store shelf in as little as 30 days.
- Suitable for hot or cold beverages
The biggest drawback to glass, of course, is its fragility. Because glass is so easy to break, many gyms, hiking trails, athletic facilities, and other venues restrict the use of glass bottles. This is what makes Glasstic so different from other glass water bottles. Glasstic incorporates a plastic shell that contains the glass container in its interior. If you drop it and the glass breaks inside, all of the glass will remain contained inside the shell. This makes disposing of any broken glass much easier, plus the glass insert is replaceable! For this reason, you can take a Glasstic bottle anywhere.
When you compare glass to stainless steel, it’s easy to see which one comes out on top in terms of safety, sustainability and functionality.
Want a chance to win a Glasstic bottle to see the difference yourself? Visit our giveaways page to sign up!