We all know disposable water bottles are terrible for the environment, and we're being encouraged to invest in an eco water bottle to save money and cut down on our usage of single-use plastic.
But what about stainless steel water bottles? Are they better for the environment than glass or plastic bottles? And is drinking from stainless steel harmful to our health?
I prefer to drink out of glass water bottles. But I’m clumsy and have been known to break one or two. So, maybe stainless steel is a better option for me?
In this article, I’ll look at the pros and cons of drinking from stainless steel water bottles and see if they’re as eco-friendly and harmless as many people think.
Contents
Let’s start by looking at what stainless steel water bottles are made from.
Stainless steel is an alloy that consists primarily of iron but also contains a small percentage of chromium, nickel, and other ingredients. It’s considered to be corrosion-resistant when it has at least 11% chromium.
18/8 (also known as 304 grade or #304) stainless steel contains 18% chromium and 8% nickel (with less than 0.8% carbon and at least 50% iron). It’s one of the highest grades you can buy.
This type of stainless steel is used a lot in food processing equipment because it doesn’t react with food or other items it comes into contact with.
It’s a safe choice for water bottles because it doesn’t need lining and will not leach chemicals or flavor into your water.
So, what exactly are you putting into your body if you’re drinking from a stainless steel water bottle? Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of using them.
Some metal water bottles are actually aluminum bottles and not stainless steel. This is not ideal for several reasons:
Many people prefer to drink bottled water because they think it’s purer than tap water. However, this isn’t always the case.
Some bottled water companies use a municipal drinking water supply (the same as what comes to your home).
It’s far better to drink filtered tap water than bottled water if you can afford a filtration system for your home.
This way, you’re not wasting money on bottled water, and you won’t be left with a disposable plastic bottle adding to the global plastic waste problem.
There’s no definitive answer to this question, as both materials have pros and cons. However, for most people, stainless steel water bottles are probably the best choice.
They are durable, easy to keep clean, and you don’t need to worry about chemicals leaching into your water.
That being said, if you prefer to drink out of glass bottles, there is no harm as long as you take care not to drop them and break them! Both glass and stainless steel are much better than single-use plastic bottles.
I wouldn’t recommend it. Freezing your water bottle could cause the stainless steel to contract and expand. This might lead to cracks in the bottle over time.
Also, if the bottle is full when freezing, it might force the top off and make a mess as the water expands.
Yes. The same applies to mugs as water bottles. 18/8 stainless steel is safe to drink from.
However, be careful with hot drinks. When camping, I once burned my lip on a hot cup of coffee in a stainless steel mug.
Ensure that the lid is screwed on tightly and that there are no cracks in the bottle. If it’s still leaking, you might need a new lid.
Yes, 18/8 stainless steel bottles are safe for hot liquids such as coffee. However, a single skin will lead to the drink going cold quickly.
To keep beverages at their optimum temperature, you should consider a double-walled bottle.
Arguments exist on all sides of the stainless steel vs. plastic vs. glass water bottle debate.
One of the main concerns is that stainless steel water bottles contain small amounts of nickel and chromium, which could potentially be harmful to your health.
However, many feel that these concerns are overblown. In fact, during my extensive research for this article, I could not find a single reported case of toxic poisoning from stainless steel water bottles.
Another concern about stainless steel water bottles is that they may contribute to the depletion of natural resources like groundwater and fossil fuels.
However, some stainless steel bottles have less environmental impact over their lifetime than glass or plastic versions due to their long lifespan and ease of recycling.
The choice is ultimately yours. If you’re concerned about health and environmental issues, sticking with stainless steel water bottles may be the safer option.
Whatever water bottle you use, remember to wash and disinfect it regularly to prevent a build-up of bacteria and mold.
So, to get back to the initial question…no, drinking from stainless steel bottles is not harmful, providing:
Where do you stand on reusable water bottles? Do you prefer a stainless steel bottle? Or do you prefer glass or plastic for your reusable water bottle? Drop me a line and let me know.
