“I’ll tell you what me scares me is plastic….Why does my water have to be in a bloody plastic bottle? The landfill and the ocean. And I don’t know, I’m just terrified with the proliferation of plastic.

–Helen Mirren, British Actress

Over 480 billion plastic bottles are sold worldwide. It is one of the common items we are using to pollute our oceans that we have become addicted to the convenience. Here are five reasons why to change to a reusable bottle and how to do it:

Reason #1: Reduce the Amount of Waste Going into Our Landfills and Oceans

A majority of plastic bottles do not get properly recycled and most of the time they will end up in our landfills and oceans. If every person on the planet only drank from plastic water bottles, it would be over 1,382 bottles per person, equivalent to over 10 trillion plastic bottles each year. Every person that eliminates their plastic water bottle consumption leads to less plastic and a cleaner environment.

Reason #2: The Payback for a Reusable Container Beats Thousands of Plastic Water Bottle

Many people can be hesitant about getting a reusable bottle because of the upfront cost people have to pay. However, as I learned at Zion National Park, you can refill a reusable water, “with tap water for 10 years, 5 months, and 21 days before it would cost as much as one quart of bottled water.” If that isn’t convincing money savings, using plastic bottles for one year would cost you over $2000 a year, or $21,708 in that same time period. Save money and the planet. ❤

Reason #3: The Water Quality Within Tap Water is The Same, Sometimes Better Quality Than Bottled Water

There’s a misconception that bottled water is safer than tap. Studies have found tap water is about the same and sometimes better quality than bottled water. That’s because drinking water that is provided through public water systems is regulated, while bottled water is not and they could be pulling the water source from anywhere they wanted to. Studies also found most of the time people could not tell the difference from tap and bottled water. Look up what the water quality is like in your area or install a filter system in your home to ensure the safety of your tap water.

Reason #4: You Care About Your Health

Because of our plastic consumption, we have already been consuming plastics, unintentionally. A study found that humans could be consuming 39,000 to 52,000 micro-plastic particles a year, and possibly inhaling over 74,000 particles. Another study found over 90% of bottle companies had plastic fibers coming off their bottles people could consume. If we do not want to continue consuming plastic, we need to reduce our plastic use so we can consume more of natural foods, plastic free.

Reason #5: You Care About the Planet! ❤

Passion does fuel change. If you don’t want the world to be overwhelmed with plastic for future generations, get yourself in the habit to make the world a better place. ❤

Tips to Get You in The Habit of Using a Reusable Bottle:

• Have at least two water bottles or containers available. Have more reusable bottles around so if you ever get lazy and do not want to wash your bottle, you have another one ready to go. You can place a bottle in your car, in your bag, or in your office space so you always have one on hand at all times.
• Set a reminder on your phone to grab your bottle. If you are forgetful or trying to start the habit, it can remind you on your way out.
• Personalize it. Getting a bottle with a nice design or putting on stickers makes your bottle like a fashion statement. You will be enticed to show off your bottle and you always know which one is yours.
• It doesn’t need to be an official water bottle. Many people have used other containers including glass jars to put water in. Use what is convenient for you.
• If you are traveling or going to events, make sure your water bottle is empty before entering. Some places will not allow you to take in a bottle with water in it for security reasons. If you bring the container, you can fill it up after passing through airport security or event check in. An event should not be an excuse to use a plastic bottle!

Exceptions When to Use Plastic Bottles:

• Natural Disasters
• Poor Water Quality in the area
• Medical Epidemic

List of Bottle Ideas Depending on Your Preference:

Glass: Simply use a mason jar or glass jar after use, Package Free Shop, and here’s a mass search too

Ceramic: EarthinUSA, mass search

Stainless Steel: Package Free Shop with different sizes, Hydro Flask, Tervis, mass search,

Collapsible Bottles: Que, mass search

Durable Plastic: Tervis, Brita , mass search