Here in Australia the weather plays its role in deciding what you are carrying on hiking, trekking or an adventure trip. And whatever the weather has to offer on a particular day, one substance that you will need at all times is an adequate supply of liquid to prevent dehydration and fatigue. It is especially important to carry your liquid supplements with you at all timesin the hot dry regions, whether you are trekking orhiking far away from civilisation.
Most of us overlook the importance of selecting the kind of bottles we use for storing water and juices. This should be done very carefully, as making the wrong choice can lead to health hazards and serious illness. This is more so with the plastic water bottles that are used and pitched as sports drinking water bottles. If the plastic water bottle you use is made from Bisphenol A (BPA) material, then you’d better set the alarm bells ringing, because this organic compound material is already banned in Canada and Europe.
Bisphenol A is an endocrine disruptor that has a unique property to mimic hormonal activity, which can lead to negative consequences ranging from obesity to neurological disorders, thyroid diseaseand cancer. Hence, it is imperative that you avoid BPA plastic bottles where you can. One way to identify BPA plastic grade bottles from the usual safe plastic bottles is to check the bottle’s recycle symbol:
– PET plastic is the most common for single-use bottled beverages, because it is inexpensive, lightweight and easy to recycle. It poses low risk of leaching breakdown products.
– HDPE is a versatile plastic with many uses, especially for packaging. It carries low risk of leaching and is readily recyclable into many goods.
– PVC is tough and weathers well, so it is commonly used for piping, siding and similar applications. PVC contains chlorine, so its manufacture can release highly dangerous dioxins. If you must cook with PVC, don’t let the plastic touch food. Also never burn PVC, because it releases toxins.
– LDPE is a flexible plastic with many applications. Historically it has not been accepted through most American kerbside recycling programs, but more and more communities are starting to accept it.
– Polypropylene has a high melting point, and so is often chosen for containers that must accept hot liquid. It is gradually becoming more accepted by recyclers
– Polystyrene can be made into rigid or foam products — in the latter case it is popularly known as the trademark Styrofoam. Evidence suggests polystyrene can leach potential toxins into foods. The material was long on environmentalists’ hit lists for dispersing widely across the landscape, and for being notoriously difficult to recycle. Most places still don’t accept it, though it is gradually gaining traction.
– A wide variety of plastic resins that don’t fit into the previous categories are lumped into number 7. A few are even made from plants (polyactide) and are compostable. Polycarbonate is number 7, and is the hard plastic that has parents worried these days, after studies have shown it leaches potential hormone disruptors.
Bottles with symbols 1,2,4,5 and 6, in all the likelihood, are not made from BPA plastic. However, if you see plastic bottles and sports water bottles with recycle symbols 3 and 7 then it will contain BPA, so it is best to avoid such water bottles. Plastic bottles are not the only water bottles containing BPA plastic material.Aluminium water bottles can also contain plastic on the inner lining of the bottle.
An average user doesn’t often consider these facts and simply purchases such bottles without realizing that they have a ticking time bomb in their hands. And let me enlighten you on one simple fact: the water bottles that have very vibrant colours and are made from hard plastic are in fact made from BPA grade plastic.
Here at EcoStreet we care about your health and all the drinking water bottles offered, whether these are single or double wall insulated stainless steel water bottles, are indeed 100% safe and do not carry any risk associated with BPA plastic.
For us green living is not only about the methods that are in tune with the nature, but is also about the modern day products that are manufactured using the safest and non-hazardous materials. So feel free & safe to choose your next water bottle from our line up of water bottles, which come in various categories for everyday use, adventure trips, sports use and for your children’s’ school water bottle.
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