Is my water bottle safe? With all the recent negative press about Polycarbonate plastic water bottles, that may be a question you have been asking yourself lately. The bad news is that there is no definite answer as to whether your bottle is safe; some Polycarbonate bottles are safer than others. The good news is that there are a great many safe options to stay hydrated, healthy and happy.

First the bad news. There are many different types of plastic that are used to make plastic water bottles. The best way to determine the type of plastic used in your water bottle is to look at the resin code that is located in the recycling symbol on the bottom of the bottle. The resin code is used by recyclers to help determine how to recycle that particular bottle.

Looking at some of the resin codes on the bottom of your bottle; let’s start with number 1. Number 1 may also have the letters PET under the recycling symbol, which stands for Polyethylene Terephthalate. Typical #1 bottles contain soft drinks, sports drinks and fruit juices. Number 1 bottles are meant to be recycled and not reused. High Density Polyethylene, or HDPE, is the type plastic found in #2 bottles. The bottles are stiffer then #1 bottle, which makes a #2 bottle reusable.

The bottle that has been in question lately has the #7 in the recycling triangle. Some #7 bottles also have the word OTHER or no number at all. The American Chemistry Council states, ”Use of this code indicates that a package is made with a resin other then numbers 1 thru 6, or is made of more than one resin and used in a multi layer combination.” Some of these #7 bottles contain a chemical called Bisphenol-A or BPA. A study in 1998 found that BPA, a chemical that mimics the hormone estrogen, can leach from the Polycarbonate bottles. Studies with rats and mice exposed to BPA show a change in tissue that resembles early stage breast cancer. While bottle manufacturers have multiple studies of their own that dispute these findings, they are making changes to their products to satisfy consumer demands.

Now the good news, and there is more good news then bad. In response to consumer demand, CamelBak, manufacturer of personal hydration systems, announced in April that it is converting its entire line of Polycarbonate reusable water bottles to a new material that is 100% free of Bisphenol-A. CamelBak agrees that there is a great degree of conflicting information about the safety of BPA, but consumer demand was enough to find an alternative. The result is the CamelBak Better Bottle that is BPA free. “Consumers have been asking for a BPA free alternative with durability, clarity and vibrant color of Polycarbonate bottles,” said Sally McCoy, CamelBak CEO. “We’re happy to be the first company to give consumers an entire line of BPA-free bottles.” After 3rd party testing of the new CamelBak Better Bottle it was found that no harmful chemicals leach into the food or beverage inside the bottle. The bottle meets all the Food and Drug Administration food safety standards.

Another choice in water bottles is the Swiss-made Sigg Bottle. Made with Swiss quality since 1908 in Frauenfeld Switzerland, the Sigg Bottle is a lined aluminum bottle. The liner is taste and smell neutral and has 0% leaching. The Sigg Bottle is resistant to fruit juice acids and energy drinks and is guaranteed watertight. The internal coating fulfills the Food and Drug Administration food safety standards, and will not peel off even if the bottle is dented on the outside. The 100% recyclable bottle comes in a multitude of colors and styles. To meet the increasing demand for their bottles, Sigg has hired new workers and is working around the clock to fill orders. Sigg is also a member of 1% For the Planet; this is an organization in which member companies contribute 1% of their profits to environmental causes.

The final choice in healthy bottles is Klean Kanteen. Klean Kanteens are made from food grade stainless steel, which is easy to clean, toxin free and non-leaching. Klean Kanteen advertises their product as an alternative to plastic. Klean Kanteens are lightweight, with a 12 ounce capacity bottle weighing only 4 ounces. The bottles are made from a sanitary grade of stainless steel with low nickel content, a material of choice among food processing, dairy and brewing industries. Klean Kanteen states that their products are made “responsibly” in China, and are tested for lead paint and other hazardous substances when they come into the United States. Now you know the good and the bad about your water bottles, what can you do with your old #7 bottles? Mast General Store has begun a program to recycle your unwanted #7 water bottles. Simply bring your unwanted bottles to any of the 9 Mast General Store locations, and receive a $2.00 off coupon to purchase a new water bottle. Mast General Store will take the unwanted bottles to Advanced Polymer Recycling in Knoxville, TN. to be recycled. The program will last until the end of the summer. Mast General Store is making it easy to stay hydrated, healthy and happy when you Take It Outside this summer.