Doing so might be harmful to your health.
I used to refill
plastic water bottles like it was my job. That is, until I learned
that the seemingly harmless habit is actually, well … pretty gross.
Germs are among us
Plastic water bottles
aren’t meant to be used more than once. Rather, they’re meant to be recycled
after drinking the original water they contain. A 2007 article in the
journal Practical Gastroenterology noted that
manufacturers of commercial bottled water don’t recommend consumers reuse the
bottles. This is because the plastic on disposable bottles is easily broken
down and thinned, making it easy for bacteria to grow in subtle cracks.
The researchers said
that “bacteria can harbor in the cracks [of disposable bottles], posing a
health risk. Reuse of plastic water bottles can lead to bacterial contamination
unless washed regularly.” And who honestly washes their
plastic water bottles?
Even if you’re
adamant that you do indeed clean your disposable plastic bottles before
refilling them, you still might not be preventing bacteria growth. To properly
rinse your bottle, you’d have to rinse it thoroughly with soap, check to make
sure there’s no thinning or tearing of the plastic, and make
sure the water you’re using to wash it isn’t hot.
That’s because hot
water increases leakage risk of Bisphenol A (commonly
known as BPA), a chemical used to manufacture polycarbonate plastics. BPA
consumption has been linked to a wide range of health issues,
including endocrine disorders and certain types of cancers.
So what should you do?
Of course, if you
refill your disposable plastic bottle every now and then, don’t freak out. It’s
not the end of the world. Just try not to make it a habit. Instead, experts say
that investing in a reusable plastic or stainless steel water bottle is the way
to go when it comes to your hydration and health. You still have to wash that
bad boy, though. Here’s how to
clean it effectively, because I, for one, was definitely not doing
it right.
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