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Doug Smock

Stainless vs. Plastic Water Bottles: The Debate Begins

April 20, 2009

The word is in: An article in yesterday’s New York Times declares that stainless steel is better than plastic bottles for the environment–if one stainless bottle takes the place of at least 50 plastic bottles. The two writers of the column are developing a software product that conducts lifecycle assessments. They issued their verdict on stainless steel bottles after taking into account the environmental impacts of mining iron ore, chromium, and nickel, transporting them large distances, making the steel, transporting the steel, fabricating the bottles, and so on.

I can’t comment on the quality of the argument because zero data is provided on any of the inputs, and no information at all is provided on the plastic product.Assuming they are correct, however, isn’t this a little strange? Under what circumstances would someone use a stainless steel bottle to drink water? A hike maybe. No, stainless is too heavy. And how does stainless steel get into the recycling stream? Do you take it to a car shredder? What if people re-fill plastic bottles to drink water?

And what about the environmental waste of printing this silliness on half a page of the New York Times and distributing it across North America to a million people?

Posted by Doug Smock on April 20, 2009 | Comments (10)

November 4, 2009

In response to: Stainless vs. Plastic Water Bottles: The Debate Begins
YUANPAI BOTTLES commented:

we are a stainless steel water bottles factory in China, if you want to do bottle businees from China, please contact with us kindly ,thank you very much.quality is high.
FAX:0086-579-87623015
moible: 0086-13750945677

October 16, 2009

In response to: Stainless vs. Plastic Water Bottles: The Debate Begins
Debbie commented:

There are so many reason to use stainless steel bottles over plastic and aluminum bottles. One of the main reasons is to avoid the leaching of BPA into your water. Many scientific studies indicate BPA has the potential to act as an endocrine-disrupter when ingested, and fetuses, infants, and children are most susceptible to develop negative human health effects associated with BPA such as diabetes, heart disease, cancers, infertility, obesity, and neurological disorders. Refilling plastic bottles? Seriously?! They're made for one-time use ONLY; even the water bottle companies disclose that. Aluminum bottles have, guess what, a PLASTIC liner -- SIGG's and Laken's were just found to contain BPA ! Stick to St.Steel bottles. The best on the market is either Klean Kanteen or FOF Bottles.

July 13, 2009

In response to: Stainless vs. Plastic Water Bottles: The Debate Begins
Shirley commented:

Dear Sir/Madam

We know you from internet , as a leading manufacturer of for the stainless steel water bottle in China , we hope we can have chance to introduce ourselves .
We have developed BFA free stainless steel water bottles 。Same quality as Klean Kanteen ,but much cheaper price .Now we have many client in USA , Canada , such as Blue Q ,Pure & Simple Solutions, L.L.C and New Wave Enviro Bottle .If you like we can also provide samples for your checking .
More information, please browse to our website: www.haoyumug.com
Best Regards.
Shirley Wu
Company name: Zhejiang Haoyu Mug Industry Co., Ltd
Address: Fanyan Industrial Area ,Yongkang ,Zhejiang ,China
Tel:0086-579-87512749
Fax:0086-579-87511446
Mob：86-15068090720
skype: haoyumug
MSN: haoyumug@hotmail.com
E-mail:haoyumug@gmail.com
web : www.haoyumug.com

June 22, 2009

In response to: Stainless vs. Plastic Water Bottles: The Debate Begins
Shirley commented:

Dear Sir ,

Glad to contact with you .

Now we ,Haoyu Mug Industry have developed wide mouth stainless steel water bottle is very popular for promotion especially for the Summer promotion ,Also they are well use in traveling and camping for their easy cleaning and put the ice in .The most important they are BFA free .Not like the plastic bottles and aluminium bottles , they will be disappear in the market for they are not good for enviroment and our health .That why we strongly promote our BFA free water bottles to you .Our bottles quality is same as the Klean Kanteen( the best brand for the stainless steel water bottle ) , but our price is much competitive .If you like we can give you the quotation .

More information please browse our web www.haoyumug.com

Best Regards.
Shirley Wu
Company name: Zhejiang Haoyu Mug Industry Co., Ltd
Address: Fanyan Industrial Area , Yongkang ,Zhejiang ,China
Tel:0086-579-87512749
Fax:0086-579-87511446
Mobï¼š86-15068090720
skype: haoyumug
MSN: haoyumug@hotmail.com
E-mail:haoyumug@gmail.com
web : www.haoyumug.com

May 14, 2009

In response to: Stainless vs. Plastic Water Bottles: The Debate Begins
Stuart Yaniger commented:

The use of non-BPA plastics does not guarantee the absence of endocrine disruption activity. BPA is just one possible molecule- health-conscious consumers will want to use plastics that have been specifically tested and certified to be free of endocrine activity, regardless of the source.
A stainless steel bottle is a poor ecological choice- a good plastic bottle will have just as long of a service life and be much less energy-intensive to manufacture and ship.

May 14, 2009

In response to: Stainless vs. Plastic Water Bottles: The Debate Begins
Sukhdev_TCS commented:

Firstly, the US FDA & European Commission's Scientific Committee on Food have assessed the safety of BPA (considered an endocrine disruptor) and concluded that polycarbonate and epoxy resins are safe for food contact applications because the level of exposure to BPA is very low.
Secondly, imagine the energy required for shipping stainless steel bottles with water when compared to plastic bottles (no, I am not even talking about Polycarbonate, I am thinking PET). Do you still think stainless bottles are greener?
Lastly, the fact is less than 1% of the world's oil reserves are used up for producing all the plastic packaging in the world.
Suggestion: why not use bottles made from bio resins like PLA? In fact, many beverage companies are changing over to bio plastics.

April 30, 2009

In response to: Stainless vs. Plastic Water Bottles: The Debate Begins
Ton commented:

For my family, there are no options but to use Stainless Steel Bottles. I certainly do not want to chance "if" there are safety risks with plastic and aluminum. We have been using SUBZERO Stainless Steel Bottles for the past year and have put the safety concern behind us....and feel a little better since we are also helping the green cause.

April 22, 2009

In response to: Stainless vs. Plastic Water Bottles: The Debate Begins
Kersal commented:

The switch to stainless was to avoid BPA leeching see the movie here www.stainlesssteelbottles.ca
Recyclers do pay for stainless steel. However stainless steel bottles will last many many years. Using stainless steel reduces our dependency on oil /petroleum products such as plastic.

April 21, 2009

In response to: Stainless vs. Plastic Water Bottles: The Debate Begins
krystyl_rose commented:

Under what circumstances would someone use a stainless steel water bottle? Many, from car trips (just look at how many use stainless steel for their coffee due to the insulating properties) to casual walking (yes, people DO use them while walking, they aren't THAT heavy). If there was no market for it, there would be none sold.
As for recycling it, there are many places that recycle scrap metal and you could recycle this there. Would they pay you for it? Maybe a nickle, but that is beyond the point anyway. These are meant to not NEED to be recycled as you will use them again and again. If people refill the plastic bottles you get from the store (as I used to) they are exposing themselves to even more leeching of the BPA that was the reason for the switch to stainless in the first place.
I never read the article in question, and I am a far cry from an expert about anything; but there are MANY sources that all agree, when it comes to personal health as well as environmental safety where water bottles are concerned, stainless steel is the better choice.

April 21, 2009

In response to: Stainless vs. Plastic Water Bottles: The Debate Begins
Greg Koski Plastics.com commented:

The NY TImes is very reliable. I know that if it is the source, doubt the story and the authors. Nice one Doug.

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