Is it OK to reuse plastic water bottles?

How to recycle plastic bottles for sale

Many people reuse plastic water bottles over and over again, either in order not to participate in the already excessive consumption of plastic or to save money on the purchase of bottles.

If you want to reuse bottles, it is best to use those made of metal or glass. With these materials we will not have the problems that plastic does produce. There is also another type of bottle made of a material that is less heavy than glass and is also non-toxic. This is squeasy, a collapsible bottle made of polypropylene.

Some water bottling companies warn on their labels that the bottle should not be refilled but, in this case, the reason is different. The warning is made so that we do not add another type of liquid that is toxic and, later on, we mistake it for water and drink it.

Above all, we should never trust a bottle that we have not filled ourselves. In addition, it should be protected from sunlight, preserved from aggressive odors and kept in a cool, dry place, and our hands should be cleaned before refilling.

Use of plastic bottles

Plastic bottles are made from plastic polymers, which make the container durable and lightweight, such as polypropylene, copolyester and polyethylene terephthalate (PET).  However, their main drawback arises when exposed to high temperatures, as these polymers tend to detach and release into water more easily.

If you want to know more about the different types of plastic that exist and learn which ones are recyclable, you can visit our article, types of plastics, in which we talk in detail about this topic.

How many times can a plastic water bottle be refilled?

Failure to dispose of these containers once the original contents have been consumed can, as many studies have shown, be quite harmful. And the greatest risk is not related to the proliferation of bacteria.

The release of these chemicals is even more dangerous when the plastic is exposed to high temperatures. The dangers include, in particular, changes in the hormonal balance, leading to sterility, immune system disorders, polycystic ovaries and even some types of cancer, such as breast cancer.

Even if none of the above two cases occur, drinking from the same bottle for days or even weeks is not hygienic because of the amount of germs that accumulate from the environment itself, especially if consumed directly from it, so maintaining this environment makes it much easier for the proliferation of certain diseases.

The labels on plastic bottles, especially water bottles, usually warn that they are disposable containers. So, before ignoring them, it is better to take these indications into account.

Glass bottles can be reused

Its high quality and controlled water makes it a very interesting option for those who want to help the environment, without giving up the quality, safety and benefits of bottled spring water.

More recently, it has become clear that BPA binds with high affinity to the estrogen-associated receptor (ERR-γ), which may be related to its known ability to function as an endocrine disruptor.”

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