Are Plastic Drink Bottles Safe To Reuse For Drinking Water?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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If you happen across a water bottle marked with a “2,”

you can reuse it as long as it's washed well and not cracked or otherwise damaged

. This type of plastic is a low risk for chemical leaching. Concerns with type-7 .

How long can you use a reusable plastic water bottle?

If you decide to use reusable plastic bottles, plan to replace them every

two to three years

, or if you notice signs of wear. Depending on the reusable water bottle, you might be able to recycle it when you are done with it.

Why You Should Never refill a plastic water bottle?

It's best to reuse plastic water bottles sparingly and wash them thoroughly because

germs spread so quickly

. Additionally, wear and tear on the bottle from reuse can create cracks and scratches in the surface where more bacteria can grow.

Which plastic bottle is safe for reuse?

Plastic bottles are not the only reusable containers available to consumers. Safer choices include bottles crafted from

HDPE (plastic #2), low-density polyethylene (LDPE, or plastic #4), or polypropylene (PP, or plastic #5)

.

How often should I replace my reusable water bottle?

If you decide to use reusable plastic bottles, plan to replace them

every two to three years

, or if you notice signs of wear. Depending on the reusable water bottle, you might be able to recycle it when you are done with it.

Is drinking from plastic bottles harmful?

Drinking from disposable a plastic bottle

may lead to chemical leaching and toxicity

. Chemical leaching occurs when heat causes the toxic chemicals from the plastic to be released into the water.

How often should you change your reusable water bottle?

“Plastic water bottles can start to break down after continued use and need to be replaced

about once a year

,” Leanne Stapf, chief operating officer at The Cleaning Authority, told POPSUGAR.

What happens when you refill plastic water bottles?

Two things can happen as you reuse plastic bottles over and over:

They can leach chemicals, and bacteria can grow in them

. It turns out chemical leaching happens in such small amounts that we don't have to worry about that.

Which plastic is safe for drinking water?


HDPE

has a higher density as opposed to the previous one. It is used for milk jugs, household cleaner containers, juice bottles, shampoo bottles, cereal box liners, and more. Similarly, to what was mentioned earlier, this plastic is considered safe to use and be in contact with food and beverages.

How do you know if a plastic bottle is reusable?


Checking the plastic number designation printed on the bottle

is the only way to know if it is safe to reuse or not. Generally, plastics made from number 2, 4, and 5 plastics are safe to reuse and bottles made from 1, 3, 6, and 7 are not safe to reuse.

What is the healthiest water bottle to use?

  • Klean Kanteen Insulated Water Bottle. …
  • Crazy Cap Water Bottle Purifier. …
  • Hydro Flask Wide Mouth Water Bottle. …
  • pH Hydrate Glass Alkaline Water Bottle. …
  • LifeStraw Integrated Filter Straw Bottle. …
  • Love Bottle Recycled Glass Bottle. …
  • Brita Stainless Steel Water Filter Bottle.

How long can you use a BPA free bottle?

BPA free plastic water bottles can only last

up to 2 years

. The lifespan of BPA free water bottles can depend on the materials used to make them. Stainless steel water bottles, like the Hydro Cell bottle, are naturally durable and safe to use. They are able to withstand low to high impact fall without breaking.

How long can you keep bottled water?

Thankfully, bottled water has a generous expiration date compared to other types of foods.

Unopened bottled water can last up to two years

. Opened water bottles, however, can last a few weeks. Pure tap water usually expires after six months from the time it gets packaged.

Can you get sick from drinking old bottled water?


It's highly unlikely old water will make you ill

However, even smelly bottles are likely just encrusted with saliva, mouth bacteria, or even some mildew or mold, and there's likely nothing to worry about.

How often should you wash your plastic water bottle?

All the experts agree that you should wash your water

once a day everyday

to keep your bottle relatively clean. However, there are other things that you can do to improve the cleanliness of your reusable water bottle. Use soap and water. This one seems obvious but it cannot be understated.

When should you replace plastic bottles?

Bottles, in general, should be replaced

every 4 to 6 months

. When it is time to replace your baby's bottles it is time to assess if your baby is ready to move up a nipple size. The nipples of your baby bottles should be replaced every 1 to 2 months even if they do not show signs of damage.

Are BPA-free bottles safe?

The “BPA-free” labels on plastic bottles serve as a reassurance that the product is safe to drink out of. But new research adds onto growing evidence that

BPA-free alternatives may not be as safe as consumers think

. Researchers found that in mice, BPA replacements caused decreased sperm counts and less-viable eggs.

Rebecca Patel
Author
Rebecca Patel
Rebecca is a beauty and style expert with over 10 years of experience in the industry. She is a licensed esthetician and has worked with top brands in the beauty industry. Rebecca is passionate about helping people feel confident and beautiful in their own skin, and she uses her expertise to create informative and helpful content that educates readers on the latest trends and techniques in the beauty world.