You might have heard about the recent SIGG water bottle drama -- it turns out that bottles made before August 2008 were lined with a water-based epoxy liner that contained trace amounts of BPA. Since then, the aluminum bottles have used a new liner that is BPA-free.
Oops. I kinda feel like I was duped.
That being said, SIGG water bottles have regularly been tested, and despite the small amount of BPA said to be in the liner, tests haven't detected it.
But . . . this case of misinformation shouldn't keep you from ditching the flimsy Costco bottles of water for a new, BPA-free container. Here's why:
1. Bottled water water costs money. Tap water is essentially free. The cost of a reusable water bottle is well worth it in the long run -- and even in the short run. Also consider the fact that many bottled water companies are basically filling up their bottles with tap water. Which Chicago has lots of -- and it's been said to be pretty darn good too.
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2. There are actually fewer regulations regarding bottled water than tap, according to The New York Times. And there are also many claims out there that plastic bottles leach small amounts of chemicals such as antimony.
3. Plastic is made from oil -- non-renewable resource -- and 17.6 million barrels are required each year in the U.S. for the production of bottles, according to Take Back the Tap ( http://takebackthetap.org/
learn-more/environment).
4. And, because water bottles aren't recycled as often as they should be, the majority -- 86 percent -- end up in the trash, and therefore the landfills.
5. On a more positive note, reusable water bottles are sturdy, keep water colder and--of course--they're fashionable! There are so many cute, or manly, bottles out there that you might even want one for work!
6. Did I mention that tap water is virtually free? Well, let me remind you: Instead of spending money on bottled water, why don't you save it for something more important, like a trip or food or a Nintendo Wii?
