Alternatives to Poisonous Plastics

by Andrea Millar — May 3, 2008

The substance Bisphenol A (BPA) has been making headlines lately as evidence arises indicating it may alter hormone levels after being consumed. Unfortunately, it's also part of a material that gives some models of plastic water bottle their robust can't-break-em qualities. I speak mainly here of Lexan in Nalgenes, although the chemical is also used in baby bottles. If you're like me and you have five or six of the Nalgene bottles in your life housing various liquids (or just various stages of coffee fermentation), you may be wondering just what sort of alternatives are out there. Naturally, there's no need to despair.

The first alternative to your BPA-infused Nalgene (or simulacrum) may be...another Nalgene. Plastered all over the company's Web site is a press release announcing the phasing out of all bottles containing BPA and emphasizing their BPA-free Everyday line. Although they use careful language to say that they believe their BPA-containing bottles to be safe, they do acknowledge consumer concerns with it. Darn right! (One more thing: you may also be interested to know that Nalgene is also a maker of fine animal lab testing apparatuses used across the world. Yes, I did just say I had five or six of their bottles in heavy rotation...I ain't preachin', I'm just sayin'.)

People are also walking the inert-chemical path with stainless steel water bottles in tow. Here you get much of the durability of Nalgene water bottles with a little more weight--you probably won't notice the difference much. And with cool designs like tinted water bottles from New Wave and eco-product maker Greenfeet, you can certainly maintain the cool factor. They generally run around a perfectly decent 8-20 bucks, making your transition to BPA-free even smoother.

One more option is CamelBak, purveyors of snorkel-style water tanks that you strap on your back. Naturally, there are also CamelBak bottles with the classic clear plastic look, with all the newer models coming out BPA free. They pretty much mirror the Nalgene design...gotta love those easy-carry loops for clips. Good riddance BPA! This summer, with all these options, you can have hydration licked.