The Best And Worst Plastic Water Bottle Alternatives To Try

Water: it's what powers our bodies. If, like tons of people, you are forever chasing your daily hydration goals, there's a high chance that you have chugged many a plastic water bottle. Bottled water is cheap, portable, and abundantly available. There are seemingly countless popular brands of bottled water, of which most folks have a preference.

However, there is growing concern about plastic bottles leaching harmful chemicals like microplastics and bisphenol A (BPA) into our bodies — especially if the bottled water is allowed to expire, which is, believe it or not, an actual thing. Additionally, more and more people are dismayed by the waste associated with single-use plastics, which may or may not end up in landfills instead of recycling bins.

Luckily, we live in an age where there are multiple alternatives to plastic water bottles. All these options will wet your whistle and stave off thirst, but, like bottled water, they come with their own sets of advantages and disadvantages. 

Glass water bottles are probably the most readily-available alternative to plastic. Brands like Perrier, San Pellegrino, and Acqua Panna sit right next to the Dasani and Smart Water on your grocer's shelf, and you've definitely heard of them before. Water sipped from glass bottles generally tastes amazing, especially when cold, and is able to achieve that "crisp" purity prized by discerning water fans. This is because glass is not porous. That eliminates the risk of leaching chemicals, and ensures that the water inside it stays unadulterated. Easy to clean thoroughly, glass will not hold onto the taste of other drinks, making it endlessly reusable. 

On the downside, glass has a huge con: it can shatter. You are not likely to be able to casually toss a glass bottle of water in your gym bag, both because of the risk of breakage, and also because glass is heavy. Portability is definitely an issue. Additionally, glass is considerably more expensive than plastic.

Water sipped out of cartons instead of bottles? It's more likely than you might think. Boxed water is making a dent in the market, thanks in large part to the eponymous brand Boxed Water, which is based in Michigan. With the slogan "Boxed Water is Better," the company is spreading the gospel of water cartons: They have a lower carbon footprint than other materials, they can be packed more efficiently because of their shape, and the cartons are refillable from your own tap.

There are a few major cons to boxed water, however. Cartons may not be recyclable, thanks to the fact that they are composed of mixed materials, including plastic. If you are avoiding plastic, the cardboard or paper cartons of boxed water may not be a safe way to hide from it completely. To be fully recyclable, boxed water cartons have to be broken down to their individual components, which many consumers may not take the time to do, if they even realize that it's necessary in the first place. On top of that, consumer reviews are seriously mixed on whether boxed water tastes like cardboard.

Aluminum water cans are a newer option on store shelves, thanks to brands like Poland Spring, Dasani, Liquid Death, and Just Water all offering canned products. Anyone who has drunk soda or beer can tell you that drinking from a can is pretty darn satisfying, and that the metal conducts coldness well, leading to a truly refreshing sip. Cans are also completely recyclable, which is a major advantage to those concerned about single-use plastics. Furthermore, cans are lightweight and space-efficient: They fit perfectly in the cupholder of your car, bike, or treadmill, and they stack easily in your fridge, making it effortless to grab one on your way out the door. Unlike plastic water bottles, cans can go almost indefinitely without expiring. 

On the other hand, creating new aluminum cans — even from recycled materials — is a resource-intensive process that is not great for the Earth. Cans can only be used once, since they can't be resealed, meaning that they are always single-use. Moreover, the Center for Environmental Health found in 2017 that, of 252 aluminum cans it purchased in 11 states, 38% contained BPA in can linings.

On paper, BPA-free plastic bottles seem like the best of both worlds: all the conveniences of traditional bottled water, but without the addition of microplastics and chemicals. You can even keep up with the viral hack of using an empty water bottle to separate an egg, if that kind of thing appeals to you. Fewer harmful toxins are released into the environment during the production of these bottles, which can still be reused endlessly, just like regular plastic.

Of course, you are probably noticing a theme here: BPA-free has its cons, too. In the process of keeping BPAs out of plastic, manufacturers sometimes fail to disclose that their bottles contain other bisphenols, like bisphenol F (BPF) or bisphenol S (BPS). Both of these are known endocrine disruptors, in the same vein as BPAs. Also, at the end of the day, plastic is still porous. Anything contaminating, it could possibly end up in your drink. "BPA-free" might provide only a false sense of security if you are concerned about plastic chemicals.

By now, you've realized an uncomfortable truth: no vessel for drinking water is without its downsides. Unless you are sipping water in your cupped hands straight from the pristine melted runoff of an untouched glacier, any container for drinking is going to come with minuses. This is a frustrating fact, as it's human nature to search for perfect solutions. It seems, though, that one doesn't exist for replacing plastic water bottles. What's a conscientious consumer to do?

Perhaps, the best compromise when it comes to water drinking is a similar approach to all choices in life: picking the least-bad solution. What factors matter most to you when choosing water? Do you care most about recycling? About the potential risks of plastics? About taste? Your individual priorities will inform your decision.