Purely H2O: 7 alternatives to bottled water

Bottled water is an expensive habit. Not only on your pocket book, but on the enviroment as well. This includes the use of over 47 million gallons of oil in production, and the impact of the discarded containers sitting in our landfills. This environmental impact that can’t simply be offset by recycling each and every bottle. Instead, I’ve compiled a list of seven alternatives to one of the greatest marketing scams in recent history.

1) Give your tap water a try

While quite the scare has been stirred up about the potential risks of tap water, a 2008 study by the Environmental Working Group found the exact same contaminants in each bottled water brand tested. This is unsurprising since most bottled water is simply filtered tap water. Spring water can also be contaminated since filtering the water too extensively removes the minerals that give it its unique taste. According to webMD’s article on bottled water nearly every municipal water supply in the United States is deemed safe to drink. For those still concerned with the safety of their water, consider installing a reverse osmosis filtration system.

2) Reusable dishwasher safe water bottles

While reusable plastic bottles are still better than disposable ones, and while nearly all water bottled produced after 2010 no longer contain BPA, other chemicals may seep into the water contained. Plus these bottles are still made from petrol, the use of which, GreenSanity is committed to discouraging. Also, while it may seem convenient, reusing disposable plastic bottles (those made with plastic #1) can be quite unhealthy. Not only is there risk of plastic and chemicals getting into the water, it is also very difficult to clean bacteria out of the plastic. Instead, the best option is stainless steel. They are completely safe, non-corrosive, and therefore require no special lining, and durable. One drawback is they are normally not dishwasher safe, so consider that while shopping around. Avoid aluminium bottles, for while they may look the same, the corrosive nature of aluminum requires an internal lining that makes them non-recyclable, may contain BPA, and can become compromised allowing the material to corrode.

3) Refilling stations

Public buildings and businesses can install water bottle refilling stations around the premises in place of water coolers and bottled water vending machines. These contain water filtration systems that provide the same clean, better tasting water of bottled alternatives without the waste. Places worried about the extra real estate taken up by these units can opt for stations built into drinking fountains.

4) Brita filter:

Not all that different from the filtering processes used by Dasani and Aquafina, Brita filters are a viable option for those wanting better tasting water without all the plastic. According to their website, one Brita filter can replace three-hundred bottles of water. For those missing the portability of a bottle, one can also purchase reusable bottles with built in filters, providing portable, better tasting water throughout your day.

5) Carbonator

Whether used in a cocktail, or simply drank plain, the slightly bitter, always bubbly sparkling water, is something we simply cannot get out of our taps. Buying water in a bottle seems like the only alternative. The good news is, for those who only use it on occasion, many brands like Voss and perrier, while more expensive, come in glass bottles which, at least is more sustainable than petroleum based plastics. Even better still, those who consume a lot of carbonated water should consider a carbonation machine. The compressed canisters are reusable, and can produce around sixty liters of carbonated water.

6) Flavored powders

For those fond of an extra splash of flavor in their water, powders such as the ones offered by Crystal Light and Arizona Tea give you the same options for your reusable bottle. Even the to-go packs have a considerably smaller carbon footprint than a 16.5 ounce bottle of Aquafina, and for home use, most companies offer larger containers that eliminate the individual packaging.

7) Glass and biodegradable plastics

Even with all these options, there are still some scenarios where disposable single use bottles of water are simply the best option. For example, when hosting guest speakers at schools or seminars, it is customary to provide them with complimentary bottles of water for use during their speeches. While one could offer a reusable bottle that will later be cleaned and reused for the next speaker, this gesture seems less considerate and may put off some speakers who may not be as appreciative of your sustainable efforts. Giving each speaker their own reusable bottle to take with them is also inadvisable, for the environmental cost to make each bottle is actually higher than a disposable plastic bottle, and after a more popular speaker’s third or fourth gig, each additional bottle may end up in a landfill right next to the disposable ones.

Instead, of Aquafina, purchase water bottled in glass. Not only is this better for the environment, but it has a more premium feel that the speaker should appreciate. Another, less common alternative is bottles made from biodegradable plastics made from fermented corn. This alternative is currently less common, but in the UK, Belu Water is committed to producing bottled water with zero carbon footprint. Among other ways to accomplish this method, the company produces water bottles in both glass and biodegradable plastic.

By: Stephen Taber