INFORMATION SHEET
#2 Polyethylene Plastic
SEPTEMBER 2011
Aluminum
Stainless Steel
Bamboo & Glass
For businesses selecting reusable bottle material for promotional merchandise
Choosing a reusable water bottle
RECOMMENDATIONS
Selecting the right reusable water bottle for your company and purpose can be difficult given the variety of factors to consider - cost, health, environmental impact - and the potential risk of a material suddenly having negative press associated with it, illustrated by the recent health concerns with the plastic additive BPA. This information sheet is intended to provide a starting point and is followed by frequently asked questions.
SELLING AS COMPANY MERCHANDISE STAINLESS STEEL The safest health option. Lasts a long time so you will get the biggest and longest bang for your merchandising dollar.
Remember - whatever material you choose, all reusable bottles offer a more sustainable alternative to single use, throw away bottles and by giving and/or selling them to your customers, you are all together joining the leagues of people taking steps every day to create a world more in balance with its resource use.
GIVING AWAY AS A PROMO PLASTIC #2 The cheapest option for a simple give away. The bottle will not last for a long time, but is 100% recyclable in almost all recycling programs. Allows a sustainable message with low cost. KEEPING THE BEST COMPANY PLASTIC #5 Needs to be investigated. If Preserve could make a water bottle then consider joining the Gimme 5 program along with Whole Foods, Brita, Tom’s of Maine and Stonyfield Yogurt. COOLEST NEW THING BAMBOO & GLASS More expensive, but sustainable with a huge cool factor. BEAUTIFUL WASTE
Plastic #2, #4, #5
Stainless Steel
Good
Good
✓The ‘healthy’ plastics. Not known to leach. ✓Lightweight and inexpensive. ✓#2 is the most common plastic in use. Widely accepted in all recycling programs.
✓Safe. No known health issues. Stainless steel is a non-reactive metal so it does not require a lining. ✓Lightweight. ✓Keeps drinks cool and tasting great. ✓Widely & cost effectively recycled. ✓More durable than plastic or aluminum ✓Dishwasher safe, but needs a wide neck to dry properly.
Bad ๏Hard to remove odors and stains over time. ๏Does not have long term durability and tends to leak when not held upright. ๏ Does not hold up well in the dishwasher. ๏#4 is not widely accepted for recycling. #5 is accepted through special ‘Gimme 5’ programs.
Bad ๏More expensive than plastic initially, but more cost effective over the long term.
Aluminum
Bamboo & Glass
Good
Good
✓Lightweight, durable. ✓Keeps drinks cooler than plastic.
Bad ๏Necks are often narrow, making cleaning and drying difficult. ๏Not dishwasher safe ๏Must be lined with enamel or epoxy to prevent acidic liquids from reacting with the aluminum = can be a problem with long term use and certain lining can NOT be recycled.
✓100% recyclable, ✓Glass is the preferred material for drinking. ✓Easily cleaned.
Bad ๏Has just come to market so lacking a track record. ๏Heavier than other options.
๏Only one size available at 17oz which is a little smaller than many reusable bottles. www.beautifulwaste.com
INFORMATION SHEET
SEPTEMBER 2011
Q&A Considerations when selecting a reusable water bottle What about #3, #6 and #7 plastic? Are they bad? What is Bisphenol A (BPA) There are many scientific studies detailing the toxic chemicals that can leach into drinks through #3, #6, and #7 plastic. Moreover, none of these plastics are widely accepted in recycling programs. Plastic #3 (PVC) leaches phthalates which have been shown to cause developmental and reproductive damage. PVC is being phased out of many consumer products because of the recognized health issues. Plastic #6 (polystyrene) leaches styrene which can cause nervous system effects and liver damage. Plastic #7 is a catch all number for all ‘other’ plastics. A common reusable bottle material is polycarbonate, labeled under #7 and also used for items such as cds and computer shells. Polycarbonate has been shown to leach Bisphenol A (BPA), a hormone disruptor that mimics estrogen. Controversially, scientific experts have reached differing conclusions about the safety of BPA. While agreeing that it does in fact leach into drinks at low levels, they disagree on whether these levels can adversely effect human heath. Regardless of how the science progresses, the perception that BPA is bad has been cemented into consumer consciousness. Consequently, BPA-free polycarbonate, such as Eastman’s Tritan Plastic, has quickly come to market. Although claimed to be BPA-free, caution should be taken when ordering a large stock of this material as it is under study as to whether it leaches other harmful substances. Polycarbonate has been banned by the Canadian government and is being re-reviewed by the USEPA. What difference does using recycled material make? For example, if recycled #5 polypropylene plastic was used, what would the savings be using Life Cycle Assessment? • At least 54% less water than virgin polypropylene • At least 64% less greenhouse gases (in CO2 equivalents) • At least 75% less oil than virgin polypropylene • At least 48% less coal than virgin polypropylene
BEAUTIFUL WASTE
• At least 77% less natural gas than virgin polypropylene • At least 46% less electricity than virgin polypropylene Is drinking out of plastic safe? Plastic is a wonderful material when one is on the go. It is lightweight and does not break if dropped. However, plastic has only been widely used in consumer products for about 60 years so its long term effects have only been studied for that long! Stay with the healthy plastics #2, #4, #5 that are not known to leach. Some #7 plastic is safe to drink from but the individual product requires more research on the part of the consumer as this number does not refer to a specific material, but rather an ‘other’ category. Who is Preserve and what is the Gimme 5 program? Preserve is the leading producer of performance-driven and stylish 100% recycled household products. Preserve turns yogurt cups into toothbrushes and take-out containers into cutting boards. The company is powered by the recycling efforts of individuals and companies via its Preserve Gimme 5 program. This program accepts #5 plastics that many municipalities do not currently recycle-such as yogurt cups and other common household containers. All recycling and manufacturing is done in the USA. Preserve empowers people to make everyday choices that are better for the earth while offering real solutions without compromise. Preserve products can be found at forward-thinking retailers like Whole Foods Market, Target, and a variety of grocery and natural food stores. What kind of plastic bottles are other companies using? Which are the best? The Good Housekeeping Research Institute tested 32 reusable, BPA-free water bottles to find options that are spillproof, easy to use, durable, stylish, and easy to clean. See them all at:http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/product-testing/reviewstests/green-products/best-reusable-water-bottles
www.beautifulwaste.com