Reduce Plastic with a Purified Solution
Okay. I have a confession. And please don’t hate me as I am working on changing my ways. I am a plastic bottle consumer. Whether I am at the gym or hiking, I tend to prefer plastic bottled water instead of a reusable glass or metal water bottle. One reason is I am struggling to find a solution that doesn’t taste like plastic or metal. However, I understand that plastic bottles tend to be buried in our landfills, which is not helping the environment by any means. So, I am on the hunt for the perfect water bottle.
My most recent water bottle test drive included the purifyou glass water bottles and the Nomader collapsible water bottle. Both products certain have pros and cons and both will help reduce the amount of plastic sent to the trash.
A Versatile Bottle for a NOMADer
Let’s begin with the Nomader Collapsible Water Bottle because the company name is fantastic. This bottle is designed for those of us who are constantly on-the-go (get it – NOMADer). No false advertising here as the water bottle does indeed collapse. You simply roll it up and secure it with a strap that is connected to the water bottle itself.
In addition, the product provides you with the following bang for your buck (about $10 – $20):
- Collapsible for travel
- Comfortable to drink
- Leakproof
- Shatterproof
- Heat safe & freezable
- BPA-free material
- Lifetime Warranty
You can take this bottle everywhere and it packs well in a suitcase. You don’t have to worry about it shattering if your 17-month child happens to get a hold of the bottle and throw it to the ground.
I will admit, there is a notable rubber taste with this water bottle. A quick Google search and you will learn some tricks to (hopefully) get rid of this taste in the long term. The other issue I had was with the screw cap design. Granted, the cap does create an airtight seal to prevent any leaks, it did hinder me during workouts at the gym. If you are running or riding a bike, it is difficult to take a quick sip of water without fumbling with the cap or dropping it to the ground.
Cost ****
Cleaning ***
Portable ****
Taste **
Changing the World One Bottle at a Time
One a recent trip to Spain, I packed a purifyou glass water bottle. I had never used a reusable glass water bottle up until this point because of the obvious fear of dropping it. However, the brains behind this eco-friendly product acknowledged this predicament and wrapped their glass bottles (made from recyclable materials I might add) in colorful high-impact-resistant silicone sleeves.
Some notable features of this product:
- Reusable glass canteen
- BPA-free material
- Heat resistant
- Stainless steel interior cap body
- Stylish and portable
- Insulator silicone sleeve that keeps beverages hot or cold
You get your choice of sizes (32 oz, 22oz, 12 oz) and with every glass canteen purchased, a portion of profits is sent to help build water wells for impoverished communities in Africa (according to purifyou’s website). You are truly saving the world with this water bottle. The small canteen is easy to carry during hikes or sight-seeing tours of Barcelona. The most important compliment I have for this bottle is there is no plastic or metal taste. I will say this is the first time I have come across a water bottle that didn’t have some aftertaste to it.
Now, though the glass is secured in silicone sleeves, there is still the potential the glass could break. And while the bottle is dishwasher safe, cleaning this water bottle is still a challenge. You need to find a brush that can clean the inside of the canteen – a task easier said than done. The cap is also a hindrance during certain activities such as hiking and running.
Cost **
Cleaning **
Portable ***
Taste ****
Staying Hydrated One Drink at a Time
You really can’t go wrong with either bottle. I will say, I prefer purifyou’s canteens simply because there is no aftertaste that has deterred me from using other reusable bottles. I also like that the silicone sleeve acts as an insulator. With the holidays on the horizon, these canteens can also make for the perfect stocking stuffer for family or friends. If you prefer BPA-free silicone reusable bottles, the Nomader is a great cost-effective option as well. Regardless, for every reusable bottle we invest in means fewer plastic bottles that will be sent to the landfill.
