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Water Bottle Warning

Submitted by Silver Hoofs on Sun, 2005-12-04 22:50.

Is refilling plastic water bottles safe? Reusing plastic water bottles seems harmless and cheap. As a college student, I try to economize as much as possible. Buying a new water bottle instead of refilling an old one seems like a waste to me. However, you might be exposed to bacteria.

Germs from your saliva thrive in room-temperature water where they multiply at a shockingly fast rate. These germs can cause common colds, flu, or diarrhea, according to Charles Gerba (PhD and co-author of The Germ Freak’s Guide to Outwitting Colds and Flu). Just to be safe, he wouldn’t suggest drinking water from a plastic bottle after its been sitting out at room-temperature for more than 48 hours. According to the American Plastics Council , plastic water bottles are safe to be reused ONLY if they are sent through a dishwasher or properly cleaned with hot water and soap. Washing the bottle is a must in between uses. In addition, the Council suggests buying a new bottle after 5-10 washings. The plastic can start to breakdown and become less sturdy after going through the dishwasher too many times.

The Environmental Protection Agency stated Americans produce approximately 14.4 tons of plastic waste each year. On the up side, recycling programs are becoming increasingly popular in the US and about 30% of the plastic was recycled. The motto “reduce, reuse, recycle” sticks in my head from environmental awareness groups, such as the BMC Greens. In my opinion, reusing water bottles is alright, as long as you’re safe about it and clean them properly between uses. Be sure to recycle afterwards!

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Reusing commercial H2O bottles isn't a good idea

Submitted by Annushka on Mon, 2005-12-05 18:07.

The water bottles you buy in the store are not meant to be reusable. They are made out of a thinner plastic compared to a sturdy thermos bottle. The nalgene bottles are meant for long term use and cost a little over $12 (at least in the BMC bookstore) and can be put in a dishwasher, etc. The problem with the commercial disposable bottles is that after a few reuses, you start drinking plastic. The bottle actually starts to disintegrate.
*Be environmentally friendly- Use a specially designed sport bottle (you can find them at EMS or other sports stores) or a Nalgene bottle. If you do use the disposable bottles, RECYCLE them! Let us be safe and reuse them in different ways!

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nkmbj

Submitted by Apathy on Tue, 2005-12-06 01:09.

I dont see how "a few reuses" has anything to do woth it. if it has anything to do with time, why wouldnt they be decaying all the time? So it is unsafe to drink a 6 month old bottle of water?

Never Regret the Biggest Mistake of Your Life

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Conflict of Interest

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 2005-12-06 09:59.

The American Plastics Council has a conflict of interest here. An email hoax is going around about this as well and Plastics Myth Buster has a reply posted.

In addition, scientific studies were done in Australia and those can be viewed at PACIAP .

Basically, good hygiene is a must for ANY container. Not just plastic. And, the bacteria issue comes into play once ANY container is unsealed for the first time.

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The best solution may be...

Submitted by Anyone 4 Tennis on Mon, 2005-12-05 19:46.

I think that reusing water bottles is a common thing for everyone. However, I think it may be a little more popular among college students. I, too reuse water bottles. But it is important to remember that the water bottles that are put in the dishwasher are nalgenes, or something of a similar consistency. In my opinion, you are probably just better off buying a nalgene or some type of sturdy water bottle like it. Becuase, it is not worth risking your health of reusing a water bottle (ie poland spring, aquafina) over and over again. If you are a constant water drinker, it might just be the healthier, and in the end more economic solution for you.

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the thing about nalgenes

Submitted by Ritzy Charly on Tue, 2005-12-06 11:33.

the thing about nalgenes though--is they get so absolutally disgusting... and they can not really be properly washed here..
and the sides get slimy

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Why can't they be washed?

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 2005-12-06 16:08.

Why can't they be washed?

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Dishwashers

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 2005-12-06 16:47.

Well the water temperature in the bathroom restrooms is not as high as that of a dishwasher. The recommendation is that it be cleaned in a dishwasher. No dishwashers in the bathrooms here!

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What are you doing to your

Submitted by Judge Hatchet on Wed, 2005-12-07 02:32.

What are you doing to your Nalgene. I hardly ever wash mine and it is never "slimy."
The real deal here is that there are billions of germs that we are exposed to on a daily basis. The water bottles might get germy if reused, but what about all the other germs out there in the world. Has anyone ever been in the Bryn Mawr kitchens? Pretty much the only time they get serious about cleaning up is when they receive a warning call from one of the other dining halls saying that the health inspector is coming. Otherwise, things get pretty dirty.
If we go around thinking about every little germ entering our bodies, we porbably wouldn't even be able to live our lives. In this case, ignorance is bliss, and I'm going to keep drinking water out of my plastic water bottle that I've had since customs week.

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What's Nalgene? Why should

Submitted by Roscoe (not verified) on Wed, 2005-12-07 11:21.

What's Nalgene? Why should it be "slimy"?

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Hot Water

Submitted by Abstract Water on Wed, 2005-12-07 12:07.

If the water in the bathrooms isn't hot enough you can always put it in the microwave, or an electric teakettle.

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Hold on

Submitted by Twinkie on Thu, 2005-12-08 04:10.

Wait, do you mean.. you put PLASTIC water bottles in the microwave or an electric teakettle to get it washed...? I am little bit confused here.

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The Slime on the Water Bottle is...

Submitted by How I learned t... on Fri, 2005-12-09 00:39.

The slimy situation has happened to a couple of people in my hall. What usually happens is that they don’t rinse their water bottles every time they refill them. They basically just add water to them with out washing them or at least rinsing the top of the bottle, where the mouth piece is. And since they don’t do this their saliva builds up and they close their water bottles, and the germs and bacteria start to infest it. Eventually leave it long enough and you will get a bad smell at the mouth piece of the water bottle. The way to keep it basically clean is just to run it in some hot water and rinse out the mouth piece, before you refill it. At least this way you don’t get the slime out and the bad smell.

~Knowledge Speaks but, Wisdom Listens~

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