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I’ll admit it, I’m definitely guilty of reusing plastic water bottles. Not sure if it’s because I’m sometimes too lazy to get a new bottle, or subconsciously enjoy saving the environment, but I am 100% someone who reuses plastic water bottles. I’m currently drinking out of a three-day-old Smart Water bottle right now! Oops…
There have been so many people and articles claiming the health risks of drinking out of old water bottles, but everyone’s going green, too – so what should we do?! We’ve done some research to settle this debate once and for all.
Experts have pointed out that constant reuse can lead to wear and tear of the plastic lining of water bottles, leading to thinning and cracks. The problem is that bacteria can harbor in these cracks, posing possible health risks to drinkers. The Huffington Post examined several research studies, and concluded that bacteria can arise from the plastic itself, but also from backwash, as well as just the hands of drinkers, themselves! Scientists also explained how popping your favorite plastic water bottle in the dishwasher will just bring out more chemicals from the plastic… yikes!
So, if you’re set on reusing your plastic bottles, they recommend using a polypropylene bottle, which is typically a white plastic. If not, it might be time to ditch the plastic once and for all, and invest in a real reusable water bottle. Check out S’well Water Bottles or Tthese cute printed ones! I guess it’s time for me to throw this Smart Water bottle to the recycling bin…
Make sure to check out How Often You Should Wash Your Reusable Water Bottles and How To Drink More Water
[Photo: Shutterstock]
