Is it ok to reuse Water Bottles?

IamJen

Thanks for posting the Snopes link. I thought the jury was still out, but there's some good info there. We reuse ours (drinking from one now) for a bit before recycling them. I'd like to just not get them altogether, but so often, we're without a water bottle and are well, thirsty.

Does anyone have recommendations for good quality reusable bottles?

buxtonrabbitgreen

I reuse a bottle for when I am cycling. This is the only time I drink water. I object to buying another bottle every time, but have also been a little concerned about the chemicals. I too wondered if it was just a ploy to get us to buy more water. What about the plastic bottles made to specifically fit to the bike. Do they become dangerous with repeated use. If not I may get one. Does anyone know?

frivolous_fay

I'm guessing one of the main concerns is the possible buildup of bacteria in the bottle.

I recall there was a post on this board a while back about a child who drank from a water bottle that had been in the car, and tasted funny... they then came down with raging V&D.

mk_wotsit

Another one here who has been re-using water bottles for years - I use them til they're knackered too!
It seems to taste even better if you put them in the fridge.
.......chemical breakdown my a**e!!! :rolleyes:

Violetta_2

frivolous_fay wrote: »

I'm guessing one of the main concerns is the possible buildup of bacteria in the bottle.

I recall there was a post on this board a while back about a child who drank from a water bottle that had been in the car, and tasted funny... they then came down with raging V&D.

Could be true remember seeing a programme not sure if it was How Clean is Your House but something similar anyway they took a swab of a bottle (1 of the reusable types) and found Ecoli:eek: . But that could happen with any drinking vessel if it's not cleaned properly and it is quite fiddly to clean the sports type lid's.
Seems the consensus is it's ok to use them again (a few times anyway) before they are put in the recycle bin.

morg_monster

When we flew Air Canada last year, with the meal they gave a small (250ml) bottle of water. It looked similar to normal bottles but was made out of harder than normal plastic so you can put them in the dishwasher to clean them, or pour boiling water in to sterilise (thats what I do - normal bottles just warp!). I keep one in my handbag all the time and months later its still going strong. It is also recyclable as a normal bottle would be. Wish I could find one here!

shaaark

I reuse mine until they disintegrate

thriftmonster

I understand you can get stainless steel water bottles if you're concerned about the chemicals

hannoja

I agree with Fay. I think it's more from a 'bacteria' point of view.. I heard something along those lines on the TV recently. It made me think and I put about half a teaspoon of Milton in the 2L Ribena bottle I've been re-using lately: it says on the Milton bottle that that makes water safe, so I thought it'd be worth a shot: if you sterilise baby bottles with it, it must be pretty harmless... I'll let you know if I drop dead!! :rotfl:

Anyway, having said all that, like others here, I've been re-using plastic bottles for years and it's never made me ill (as far as I'm aware.. :think: ).

I find the 'chemicals' point of view rather a tenacious one, since you can buy re-usable water bottles in stores.. are they made of such different plastic..? *shrugs*

I'd say sterilise them regularly to be completely safe..

hartcjhart

we re-use our bottles all the time in Spain,just rinse them out and pop down to the local Fuente(water fountain)and fill them up:beer: