Consumers are moving away from single-use plastic containers to reduce landfill waste and keep plastics out of our waterways. Reusable water bottles are a huge part of this equation because people are encouraged to stay hydrated yet stay away from single-use plastic water bottles. While reusable water bottles are an improvement over single-use plastic bottles, not all water bottles are created equal. At the end of their useful life, some are easier to recycle than others and some are made of recycled material. Below are some helpful facts when considering the circular economy of reusable water bottles, that is how to reduce waste and pollution and keep resources in circulation for as long as possible.
Environmental Impact of Single-Use Water Bottles
Many municipalities have restricted or are considering restrictions on single-use water bottles. Among their negative environmental impacts, one of the most critical is the resulting solid waste. According to the product review website Ecolife.com, Americans toss out 35 billion single-use plastic water bottles every year. Of those thrown out, about 78 percent are not recycled, and are instead sent to landfills.
Recycling disposable plastic bottles is important, but unlike glass and metals, plastic can’t be endlessly recycled. Some bottles that escape the trash stream end up in our waterways and oceans endangering wildlife. Consumer awareness about the environmental problems posed by single-use plastic bottles has propelled the sale of reusable water bottles.
Factors to Consider in Choosing a Reusable Water Bottle
When choosing a container to carry your to-go beverage there are four factors to consider, according to an Ecolife.com bottle review earlier this year. First and foremost, your bottle should be reusable, but it should also be recyclable and made of environmentally friendly materials. You should also consider whether the maker of your water bottle has third party certifications that demonstrate commitment to a cleaner environment, with groups such as B Corp. or 1% For the Planet, among others. In this way, they are contributing to the circular economy.
The good news is that virtually all reusable water bottles can be recycled. Below is a list of common water bottles and tips for how to recycle them
- Metal – Recycling reusable metal bottles will depend on what the bottle is made of. Most metal bottles are made from aluminum, stainless steel and a smaller number are made from copper. While all these metals are fully recyclable, not all are accepted in your curbside collection bin.
- Aluminum: The most easily recycled bottle is aluminum. Aluminum is what most food and beverage cans are made of, so they generally are accepted in residential recycling pickups. One way to tell a bottle is aluminum is to test it with a magnet. If the magnet is not at all attracted to the metal, and it is relatively lightweight, it is most likely aluminum.
- Stainless steel: Insulated stainless steel bottles are also very popular, but they often can’t be accepted in curbside recycling programs. That is because stainless steel can be very hard to crush and therefore causes problems with some collection trucks that crush metal as it is collected. Check your local recycling program to see if it collects stainless steel. If not, it can be taken to a scrap metal recycling facility. Most stainless steels are also not magnetic, although some alloys may be weakly attracted to a strong magnet.
- Copper: This metal is also easily recyclable but must be taken to a recycling center or scrap metal recycling facility in most municipalities. A good strategy is to save your stainless steel and copper items and take them to a scrap yard which will pay you for your metal.
- Glass – Glass water bottles are fully recyclable and are collected curbside in almost all recycling programs.
- Plastic – If choosing a plastic bottle, make sure to pick one that is recyclable and BPA-free. If a water bottle is made from plastic, it will have a number 1 through 7 in a recycling triangle on the bottom. Many municipalities accept most of these plastic bottles in their curbside recycling bin. One exception is number 6, which is polystyrene foam. To confirm you can put your bottle in the curbside bin, do an internet search for your recycling guidelines. Some plastic water bottle companies, like Nalgene, manufacture their bottles from material made from recycled plastic. Nalgene says their bottles are made from 50 percent plastic waste.
- Silicone – Reusable water bottles made from silicone are not as common or popular. They are not accepted in many recycling programs, but there are private companies that are starting to recycle silicone, like Eco USA. Some companies that manufacture silicone bottles are allowing customers to return them at the end of their useful life to be recycled. Check the internet for companies and send-back programs that will recycle silicone.
Companies Giving Back
Some bottle manufacturers work with third-party programs to contribute to protecting the environment. Brands like the UK-based Ocean Bottle donate funds for plastic trash collection from waterways. Some participate in 1% for the Planet, a program through which companies donate one percent of their sales to environmental initiatives.
Extending the Life of Reusable Water Bottles
Another principle of the circular economy is to extend the lifespan of products through reuse. There are several ways a water bottle can be repurposed as an alternative to recycling it.
Below are options for repurposing a reusable water bottle.
- Use like an ice pack for food and drinks on the go. Fill the bottle, freeze, and place it in your cooler to keep snacks and beverages cold.
- Mix drink and food mixes without a spoon. For powdered drinks like lemonade or iced tea, place the powder in the water bottle, fill with water, close the lid and shake. When camping, place a dried food mix like soup in the bottle, add water, shake, pour into a pan and heat.
- Water plants around your house and yard.
- Refill pet bowls.
- Fill with spare change and use it as a bank.
- A metal water bottle makes a great rolling pin.
- Use as a container to carry dry snacks like nuts or trail mix.
- Use as a vase. Fill with water and fresh flowers and display either inside or on outdoor furniture.
Finally, if your reusable water bottle is in fine shape to be used for many more drinks, donate it to charity. It will give another thirsty person the opportunity to take water on the go in an environmentally friendly way.
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