I love the word ‘dodgy’- it reminds me of London, innit mate! But that’s beside the point :D. If you open up my kitchen cabinet, you’ll see that I’m Tupperware-crazy. I must have 10 different containers to choose from when packing my lunch for work (I like variety). As for water bottles, I’ve unintentionally developed a mini collection: 250 ml, 350 ml, 490 ml, 700 ml- take your pick! There’s actually some logic behind it and no, not that I’m some crazy lady who thrives on plastic (how Sindhi would that be ;))
I used to be a sucker for reusing disposable water bottles mainly because it was convenient. I won’t even lie that it had anything to do with recycling. Conceptually, it’s a great reason but the environment never really popped in my head. I probably used the same Evian bottle for 3 weeks running, either leaving it by my bedside or in my handbag (considering the amount of water I drink daily, that’s A LOT of reusing :oops:). I slowly weaned myself off this habit when my friend (what up, Ayesh :)) started telling me the dangers in what I was doing. It’s scary to think how harmful the mere act of drinking water can be!
Given the plastic used to make disposable water bottles, they are solely designed for single use. Over time, bacteria builds up in the bottle (more so when left in warm rooms/cars) which can cause illness in whoever continues to drink from the bottle. The normal wear and tear from repeated use of these bottles also causes chemicals to leak out of the tiny cracks and crevices that develop over time and leach into the water, some of which are cancer-causing.
Instead purchase a bottle which is specifically designed for multiple uses. If buying a plastic bottle, look for numbers 2, 4, or 5 on the bottom. These imply that the plastic used is fine for reuse, whereas 1 confirms that the bottle is for one-time use. Aluminum and stainless steel water bottles are also safe options. Your health is worth the investment, and apparently so is the environment ;)!
Consider this my PSA for the day (Public Service Announcement) 😆