Plastic bottles are extremely popular nowadays for their convenience and perceived purity, as depicted by efficient marketing strategies. But according to the Natural Resources Defense Council, consumers need to not assume that mineral water is safe. Recycling plastic beverage bottles is not advised, as it increases the likelihood of pollutants due to the introduction of bacteria and the possible leaching of plastic substances into the water.
Typical Kinds Of Plastic Drinking BottlesPolyethylene terephthalate or (ANIMAL plastics) are most frequently utilized for non reusable plastic water bottles.
High-density polyethylene, or HDPE (No. 2); low-density polyethylene, or LDPE (No. 4); and polypropylene (No. 5) are also used for drinking containers, though less frequently. PVC (No. 3) and styrene (No. 6) are in some cases used for food and drink containers but are generally considered unsafe for this purpose. No. 7 plastics are a mix of various plastics and normally consist of bisphenol A (BPA), which is under much scrutiny for its prospective health risks.
Bacteria ConcernsAll plastic bottles, when reused, are subjected to high levels of bacteria due to contact with hands and mouths, creating moist conditions that encourage bacteria growth.
Water bottles can be washed with warm soapy water and allowed to dry before being reused. But the process of washing and agitation has been shown to damage the structure of the bottle, causing release of chemical compounds
Leaching ConcernsPET and BPA plastics are the most common types of containers for water and other drinks. Both PET plastics and BPA plastics have been shown to leach over time.
PET plastics tend to leach when exposed to realistic though extreme conditions, such as exposure to sunlight, heat and storage time It has been shown that exposure to BPA can interfere with reproductive development in animals. It has also been linked with cardiovascular disease and diabetes in humans.
Safe Alternatives to Reusing Plastic BottlesStainless steel bottles are considered the safest alternative to plastic bottles. They are durable and do not leach. Aluminium bottles may also be considered. Glass is another safe alternative but less practical due to its breakable nature.