Water bottle
A water bottle is a container that is used to hold water, liquids or
other beverages for consumption. The use of a water bottle allows an
individual to drink and transport a beverage from one place to
another.
A water bottle is usually made of plastic, glass, or metal. Water
bottles are available in different shapes, colors, and sizes. In the past,
water bottles were sometimes made of wood, bark, or animal skins
such as leather, hide and sheepskin. Water bottles can be either
disposable or reusable. Reusable water bottles can also be used for
Multi-use HDPE water bottles
liquids such as juice, iced tea, alcoholic beverages, or soft drinks.
Reusable water bottles reduce plastic waste and contribute to saving
the environment. Easily portable, water bottles make for convenient
use. Water bottles often list nutrition facts.
Contents
Types
Single-use plastic
Reusable plastic
Metal
Glass
Filtering
Wirelessly connected
Hydration reservoirs
Popularity
Consequences
Health
Environment
Water Dispenser with large plastic
See also bottles (demijohn or carboy)
References
External links
Types
Single-use plastic
Sales of single-use, pre-filled plastic water bottles have increased almost
every single year for more than a decade. In 2011, greater than
US$11 billion was spent on bottled water products in the United States
alone.[1] In 2017, The US spent $11.5 billion on bottled waters. The
International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) states that people are
increasingly relying on water bottles for convenience and portability.
In some countries with low-quality tap water, citizens also use bottled water
(including in family-size containers kept in the home) for health reasons. For
example, as of 2010, Mexico – notorious for its questionable municipal
water supplies – had an average 8 percent increase per year in bottled water
purchases, and consumed approximately 13 percent of the world's total of
bottled water.[2] Mexican citizens drink more bottled water than those of any
other country do, an average of 61.8 gallons per person each year – more A one gallon PETE water
[2] bottle with attached package
than twice the rate of US per capita consumption. The increase in the use
handle
of single-use personal plastic water bottles has contributed markedly to the
country's litter problem, though the increase in the popularity of bottled
water has come with a decrease in the growth rate of consumption of soft
drinks[2] (which pose health risks in excessive quantities, as well as the same littering problem).
Reusable plastic
Multi-use water bottles can be made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene
(LDPE), copolyester, or polypropylene. All offer the advantage of being durable, lightweight, dishwasher-
safe, and BPA-free. The main difference between each type of water bottle is the flexibility of the material.
Copolyester and polypropylene offer the greatest rigidity; HDPE retains some flexibility; LDPE (most
commonly associated with collapsible, squeeze bottles) is highly flexible.
Metal
Metal water bottles are growing in popularity. Made primarily from
stainless steel or aluminium (aluminum), they are durable, retain less
odor and taste from previous contents than most plastic bottles, but
can sometime impart a metallic taste. Metal bottles thus often
contain a resin or epoxy liner to protect contents from taste and odor
transfer or corrosion.[3] Although most liners are now BPA-free,
older and less expensive models can contain BPA. Glass liners may
also be used .
It is not recommended to fill aluminium bottles with acidic liquids
Metal water bottles
(e.g. orange juice), as this could cause aluminium to leach into the
contents of the bottle.[4] Depending on the type of source material
and manufacturing process behind a stainless steel bottle, trace
amounts of minerals can leach into contents from this type of bottle as well.[5] Stainless steel bottles that do
not contain a liner have been known to transfer a rusty taste and odor to contents. Bottles made with food-
grade stainless steel (grade 304, also known as 18/8) do not transfer taste or odor.
Metal (especially steel) water bottles can be heavier than their plastic counterparts. Single-walled metal
bottles readily transfer temperature of contents to external surfaces, which makes them unsuitable for use
with unusually hot or cold liquids. Double-walled metal bottles are insulated to keep cold liquids cold and
hot liquids hot, without the external surface being too hot or too cold. Because double-walled bottles have
more metal in them, they are more expensive. They are typically vacuum-insulated, but some may have a
solid or gel insulation between the metal walls.
Glass
Glass flasks have been used since ancient times, though were not
common until the Early Modern period when consistent, bulk
manufacturing of glass products became easier. Because they are
completely recyclable, are BPA-free, and do not retain and transfer
taste or odor, glass water bottles are becoming a popular choice
again for many consumers concerned about their health.
Glass bottles are heavier than plastic, stainless steel, or aluminium,
and are easier to damage or completely break. Like metal, they also
have a high level of temperature transfer, so they are not ideal for
Glass water bottle with protective
very hot or cold liquids.[6] Some types of vacuum-insulated flasks
silicone sleeve
use an inner layer of glass (which is easy to clean), and an outer
layer of metal or plastic which helps shield the glass from breakage.
Such bottles may still break if dropped, and thus some brands are
triple-layer, with the glass inside two layers of plastic; this is a common configuration for large flasks
intended for coffee or other liquids that need to be insulated.
Filtering
This type of bottle is often BPA-Free and more commonly uses
carbon (activated charcoal) filtration. UV light can also be used to
purify water. UV filtration bottles are popular and convenient for
those who are traveling to areas where water quality may be
harmful, or where bottled water is not readily available. UV is
effective against all water-borne pathogens.[7]
Carbon filtration bottles will eliminate some organic chemicals and
improve the taste and odor of water. Carbon filtration will not
eliminate pathogens, metals or nitrates from water.[8] Carbon filters
Carbon filtering water bottle.
must be changed regularly to maintain effectiveness.
Wirelessly connected
Connected devices collect data related to a person's water intake. The data is transmitted to a smartphone,
which enables tracking of an individual's water intake and alerts the user when they are not properly
hydrated. These devices are a result of recent technology advancements which fall in the broader category of
the Internet of Things. Devices that monitor and collect data related to one's personal health are also part of
the quantified self movement. While several concepts have been introduced, none are currently available
commercially.
Hydration reservoirs
Hydration reservoirs, also known as hydration bladders, are large-volume,
flexible bags typically carried in a backpack system. Users access water via
a sipping tube. This system allows the user to remain engaged in activity
without having to stop and unscrew a water bottle.[9] Such reservoirs also
permit the carrying of a larger water supply (thus a longer hike), as they
have both more capacity and better integration into the carrying equipment
than an external water bottle or canteen attached to the pack or belt.
Popularity
Due to growing concern over the environmental impact and cost of
disposable plastic water bottles, more people are choosing to fill multi-use
water bottles. However, the popularity and availability of disposable plastic Hydration reservoir
water bottles continues to rise. In 2007, Americans consumed 50 billion
single-serve bottles of water. Since 2001, the sale of single-serve bottled
water has fluctuated by 70 percent, and this trend is continuing.[10] In 2016, a trend among Americans called
"water bottle flipping" attracted media attention. This trend has since died out and other trends are taking its
place.[11]
Consequences
Health
Chemicals used for making some types of bottles have been shown to be detrimental to the health of
humans. Inhalation of chemicals used in the manufacture of plastics is a hazard for the factory workers who
handle the material. In many developing countries, plastic waste is burned rather than recycled or deposited
in landfills. Rural residents of developing countries who burn plastic as a disposal method are not protected
from the chemical inhalation hazards associated with this practice. Inhalation of the pollutants produced
from burning plastics have been shown to result in poor health outcomes.[12] It is important to dispose of
water that has been stored in PET bottles beyond the expiration date because harmful chemicals may leach
from the plastic.[13]
Bottle manufacturing relies on fossil fuels and natural resources. Some manufacturing processes release
toxic chemicals into the air and water supply that can adversely affect nervous systems, blood, kidneys,
immune systems, and can cause cancer and birth defects.[13] Most disposable water bottles are made from
petroleum derived polyethylene terephthalate (PET). While PET is considered less toxic than many other
types of plastic, the Berkeley Ecology Center found that manufacturing PET generates toxic emissions in the
form of nickel, ethylbenzene, ethylene oxide and benzene at levels 100 times higher than those created to
make the same amount of glass.[14]
Environment
Water bottles made of glass, aluminium and steel are the most readily recyclable. HDPE and LDPE bottles
can be recycled as well.
Because the manufacturing and transportation of disposable water bottles requires petroleum, a non-
renewable resource, the single-serve bottled water industry has come under pressure from concerned
consumers. The Pacific Institute calculates that it required about 17 million barrels of oil to make the
disposable plastic bottles for single-serve water that Americans consumed in 2006. To sustain the
consumptive use of products relying on plastic components and level
of manufactured demand for plastic water bottles,[15] the end result
is shortages of fossil fuels. Furthermore, it means not only a shortage
of the raw materials to make plastics, but also a shortage of the
energy required to fuel their production.[16]
In recent years, the single-serve bottled water industry has responded
to consumer concern about the environmental impact of disposable
water bottles by significantly reducing the amount of plastic used in
bottles.[17] The reduced plastic content also results in a lower weight Label on disposable water bottle
product that uses less energy to transport. Other bottle highlighting positive environmental
manufacturing companies are experimenting with alternative attributes.
materials such as corn starch to make new bottles that are more
readily biodegradable.
The lowest impact water bottles are those made of glass or metal. They are not made from petroleum and are
easily recyclable. By choosing to continuously fill any multi-use water bottle, the consumer keeps
disposable bottles out of the waste stream and minimizes environmental impact.
See also
Reuse of water bottles
Beverage can
Bottled water
Carboy
Edible water bottle
Low plastic water bottle
Plastic pollution
Sipper water bottle, a water dispenser for pets
Refill (scheme)
Water canister
References
1. "Statistics | IBWA | Bottled Water" (https://www.bottledwater.org/economics/industry-statistics).
www.bottledwater.org.
2. Johnson, Tim (May 27, 2010). "In Mexico, fear of tap water fuels bottled-water boom" (https://w
ww.mcclatchydc.com/news/nation-world/world/article24583945.html). McClatchy DC.
Retrieved December 8, 2010.
3. Cooper, James E. (2011). "Assessment of bisphenol A released from reusable plastic,
aluminum and stainless steel water bottles" (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC32
10908). Chemosphere. 85 (4): 943–947. Bibcode:2011Chmsp..85..943C (https://ui.adsabs.har
vard.edu/abs/2011Chmsp..85..943C). doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2011.06.060 (https://doi.org/
10.1016%2Fj.chemosphere.2011.06.060). PMC 3210908 (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/ar
ticles/PMC3210908). PMID 21741673 (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21741673).
4. Veríssimo, Marta I.S. (2006). "Leaching of aluminum from cooking pans and food containers".
Sensors and Actuators. B, Chemical. 118 (1–2): 192–197. doi:10.1016/j.snb.2006.04.061 (http
s://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.snb.2006.04.061).
5. Krachler, Michael (2009). "Trace and ultratrace metals in bottled waters: survey of sources
worldwide and comparison with refillable metal bottles". The Science of the Total Environment.
407 (3): 1089–96. Bibcode:2009ScTEn.407.1089K (https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2009Sc
TEn.407.1089K). doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2008.10.014 (https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.scitotenv.20
08.10.014). PMID 18990431 (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18990431).
6. "Glass Water Bottles: BPA Free Water Bottles" (http://gogreentravelgreen.com/green-environm
entally-friendly-products-travel-gear/glass-water-bottles-bpa-fre-water-bottles/). Retrieved
March 30, 2012.
7. Hijnen, W.A.M. (2006). "Inactivation credit of UV radiation for viruses, bacteria and protozoan
oocysts in water: A review". Water Research. 40 (1): 3–22. doi:10.1016/j.watres.2005.10.030
(https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.watres.2005.10.030). PMID 16386286 (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.n
ih.gov/16386286).
8. "Tap water, bottled water, filtered water, which to choose" (http://www.foodsafety.wisc.edu/cons
umer/fact_sheets/waterbottles.pdf) (PDF). Retrieved March 29, 2012.
9. George, Steve (June 30, 1997). "Bottle or bladder?". Backpacker. Vol. 25 no. 5. p. 58.
10. "Confronting Challenges: Bottled Water" (http://www.bottledwater.org/public/2008%20Market%
20Report%20Findings%20reported%20in%20April%202009.pdf) (PDF). Retrieved
2016-05-29.
11. Arnett, Dugan; Rao, Sonia (2016-09-30). "Bottle flipping becomes the rage with middle
schoolers" (https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2016/09/29/bottle-flipping-becames-rage-with-
middle-schoolers/1INRaYEj9dQILseR5cgVUK/story.html). BostonGlobe.com. Retrieved
2016-10-09.
12. "Viral Warning: Don't Drink Bottled Water Left in Car" (http://urbanlegends.about.com/od/medic
al/a/bottled-water.htm).
13. Halden, Rolf U. (2010). "Plastics and Health Risks". Annual Review of Public Health. 31: 179–
94. doi:10.1146/annurev.publhealth.012809.103714 (https://doi.org/10.1146%2Fannurev.publh
ealth.012809.103714). PMID 20070188 (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20070188).
14. Howard, Brian (2003). "Message in a Bottle". E: The Environmental Magazine. 14 (5): 26.
15. "The Water Project" (https://thewaterproject.org/bottled-water/bottled_water_wasteful).
Retrieved 2016-05-29.
16. Cormier, Zoe. Plastic Unfantastic. This Magazine, Mar–Apr. 2008 18+. General OneFile.
Accessed, Feb 24, 2012.
17. Carl Bialik (December 14, 2007). "Water Bottles Slim Down" (https://blogs.wsj.com/numbersgu
y/water-bottles-slim-down-238/). The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved April 20, 2012.
External links
Blog post about thread types used on different bottles and compatibility (https://cnocoutdoors.c
om/blogs/blog/lets-talk-about-threads)
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Water_bottle&oldid=955906660"
This page was last edited on 10 May 2020, at 13:08 (UTC).
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply. By using this
site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia
Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization.
