Nalgene bottles, a staple among college students and athletic enthusiasts for their durability and ease of use, are just one more product jumping on the reusable bandwagon.
After a number of concerns due to the use of a chemical called Bisphenol-A (BPA) in the manufacture of the plastic bottles, Nalgene has taken some turn towards a more environmentally-friendly product. BPA is actually used in many types of cans and packaging for a number of foods, but recently scientists have concluded that BPA has the potential to lead to cancer, hamper fertility, and increases hyperactivity in children. Since BPA mimics the effects of estrogen, it has the potential to disrupt or inhibit brain and reproductive development in the fetus.
What is most upsetting about BPA is it the fact that it so easily transfers from the container it is used in, to the product that it packages. In fact, about 95% of people tested in the US have been shown to have trace amounts of BPA in their urine. With statistics like this, there is an especially high risk concerning infant and baby formulas, or any food that an expectant mother might ingest.
But thankfully Nalgene has responded to this concern by releasing a new line of BPA-free bottles called “Nalgene Choice”. Made of alternative substances including high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), these bottles first allow you to pick the type of plastic used based on impact and odor resistance, clarity, temperature range, and microwavability. Other ways to choose include by color, use, size and recycle code.
But Nalgene has not stopped there, in conjunction with both Brita Filters and their “Choice” campaign, they have also begun a campaign called “Refill Not Landfill” in order to promote the use of reusable water bottles and reduce waste caused by disposable water bottles. Their site also includes a “Filter for Good” pledge promoting the use of filtration systems in conjunction with reusable water bottles in order to reduce waste and keep the quality of water high.
Consumers can now rejoice at Nalgene’s durability and reusability, while feeling better about their environmental stance as well.
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welll… a very good move by the company owing to the increased concerns over the plastic bottles…I am sure other manugacturers will follow their steps and also use alternative to BPA…
What we like to do with our water bottles is freeze a portion of water in the bottom of the bottle and then fill with filtered water; hey presto, bottled ice water! If the Nalgene can stand up to that, I’m ready to buy.
about time too, I heard about this research a while ago I’m glad it’s finally public knowledge. It isn’t safe to re-use most plastic bottles you have to very careful. every plastic container has a number in a circle on it if it’s any lower than 5 don’t re-use it is the rule to go by.
Nancy why is that (”don’t re-use if number is less than 5”) the rule to go buy? Most plastics don’t use BPA, for example HDPE (plastic number 2) does not use BPA. I’m not saying you should re-use it, I’m asking why you shouldn’t because I re-use HDPE (milk) and PETE (alcohol) plastic bottles and haven’t had anything bad happen.
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