An alternative to plastic water bottles

Worldwide we drink 30 billion bottles of water every single year. That equals to 2.7 million TONS of plastic, enough to go around the world over 150 times! 80% of these bottles end up in the garbage or landfill sites. Buried water bottles take up to 1000 years to biodegrade. Its time to make a change!

Plastic water bottles have been in the press quite a bit lately for many reasons. After a four year study, the Natural Resources Defence Council (NRDC) found plenty of bacteria and chemicals in bottled water. As there are currently no regulations in place for bottled water it's difficult to say what is really in your water.

A 1997 United Nations report concluded that bottled water has no nutritional advantage over tap water, yet many people think otherwise.

There is also the danger of leaching plastic chemicals into your water.

The following plastics are considered the worst in terms of leaching. If you are in doubt, check the bottom of your plastic bottle and look for the little triangle. There is almost always a number embossed or printed in the middle.

* #1 PET/PETE (polyethylene terephthalate): Made for one time use, these bottles should be avoided since they more than likely leach the heavy metal antimony and the hormone disrupting chemical BPA. Don't reuse these bottles and don't purchase if they are over six months old.

* #3 PVC (polyvinyl chloride): Known to leach two toxic chemicals, DEHP (di-2-ehtylhexyl phthalate) and bispehonal-A that are both known endocrine and hormone disruptors, this is the most common plastic used in water bottles, baby bottles and cooking oil.

* #6 PS (polystyrene): Known to leach styrene, a carcinogen that causes headaches, fatigue, dizziness, confusion, drowsiness, this plastic is most commonly used in disposable coffee cups and take out containers.

* #7 PC/PLA: Polycarbonate: Since this plastic is made with BPA, it's going to leach and is probably the worst plastic to use. Unfortunately it's found in baby bottles, reusable water bottles, 5-gallon jugs (used for the office water cooler) and food-storage containers.


If it is a #2 HDPE (high density polyethylene), a #4 LDPE (low density polyethylene), or a #5 PP (polypropylene), your bottle is fine. The type of plastic bottle in which water is usually sold is usually a #1, and is only recommended for one time use. Do not refill it. Better to use a reusable water bottle, and fill it with your own filtered water from home and keep these single-use bottles out of the landfill.

Klean Kanteen is among one of the various alternatives to bottled water. My daughter loves the children's sized kanteen and we bring the larger one with us on outings. There are insulator totes such as NY tote which are great for keeping drinks cold. They also prevent the bottles from"sweating" in hot weather. I like how I can clip the NY tote on the handle of my stroller while out for a walk. They are excellent!

Mom Knows Best is a new found favorite of mine and they are Canadian! Their goal is to provide safe and natural products for your kids and family. Take a look at their products including Bornfree BPA free baby bottles, stainless steel bottles and containers, wooden, toxic free toys, certified organic cotton mattress and sheets and many more.

Use coupon Cdnbabies at the checkout to receive 15% off over orders $100!