5 Innovative Ways to Ditch Bottled Water Forever

One of the most critical global issues is the overabundance of plastic waste. Just imagine how much plastic waste one person creates on a daily basis and multiply that amount by everyone. An excess of plastic waste inevitably leads to plastic pollution, especially in less developed countries that have poorer waste management systems.

As a result, oceans around the world have become home to plastic pollution, leading to detrimental effects on aquatic life. Additionally, no one wants to think about all the plastic piling up in landfills and being a part of the problem.

For this reason, it’s time for everyone to discover modern plastic pollution solutions. One of the easiest ways to reduce plastic waste is to stop buying bottled water. In fact, with a bit of knowledge, you’ll learn that it’s not difficult to replicate bottled water companies’ practices inside the comfort of your own home.

#1) Portable Water Filter Bottle

One of the latest innovations in water filtration technology is the water filter bottle. As the name implies, a water filter bottle filters your water as you drink it. It achieves this through a water filter straw built into the bottle.

Currently, there are two main types of water filter bottles: plastic and stainless steel. Clearly, the stainless steel version helps to eliminate plastic waste and plastic production. Additionally, stainless steel bottles help to insulate cold water and prevent sweating on the outside of the bottle.

To change filters, simply unscrew the lid and replace the filter that’s connected to the straw. Overall, the water filter bottle is a great option for everyday use and travel to significantly reduce plastic waste.

#2) Reverse Osmosis System

Did you know that a lot of bottled water starts out as reverse osmosis water? Often times, you’ll find that bottled water is simply reverse osmosis or “RO” water with minerals added for taste. Why pay high dollar for bottled water that you can easily make inside your home?

The key is to choose a reverse osmosis system with remineralization, and this guide is the perfect resource for finding the best system for your home. Now, the key to this type of system that sets its apart from traditional RO systems is the remineralization stage.

Remineralization occurs after the water is filtered by adding calcium, magnesium, and/or potassium to the purified water before it reaches your glass. In the end, you get delicious bottled water quality drinking water at home.

#3) Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Bottles

Over the past few years, vacuum insulated stainless steel bottles have become wildly popular. This type of drinking vessel is the best long-term solution to ditch plastic water bottles. Why? Because it allows you to go anywhere with both hot and cold drinks.

The key is the double-wall design that can keep hot beverages hot and cold beverages cold for  up to twenty-four hours or more. Plus, you get the added benefit of no sweat on the outside of the bottle for cold drinks and no burning heat for hot drinks.

Lastly, it’s wise to use this type of bottle or mug along with your home water filtration system to bring purified water with you on the go. In the end, you almost never have to buy bottled water while going about your day.

#4) LifeStraw

Now for the most portable solution, the LifeStraw. To elaborate, the LifeStraw is a brand of personal water filter that’s perfect for travel, camping, and anywhere you journey off the beaten path. Essentially, this little portable filter packs a ton of filtration power into a tiny package, making it the perfect addition to your carry-on, checked baggage, or hiking pack.

It works similarly to a reverse osmosis system by blocking bacteria, parasites, and other contaminants from entering the filter via microscopic pores that allow water to enter, but not contaminants.

The standard LifeStraw removes a minimum of 99.9999% of waterborne bacteria with its .2-micron pore size. All in all, the LifeStraw is an excellent way to drink natural water and avoid lugging around heavy store-bought plastic water bottles.

#5) Water Distiller

Finally, a water distiller is a solution you may not have thought of before. Of the types of water purification, distillation is right up there or even better than reverse osmosis filtration. When you distill water, you remove everything, leaving you with completely blank purified water.

Modern water distillers are getting more affordable and portable. Typically, a good distiller comes with a glass vessel to capture your purified drinking water. Plus, a quality distiller ensures that your water only comes into contact with stainless steel during the distillation process.

All things considered, a water distiller is a great way to transform tap water into purified water without creating plastic waste. After you make a batch of distilled water, you have the option to bring it with you on the go or store it inside your fridge. The only drawback is that it does take a while to make a gallon of distilled water, while on the other hand, an RO system gives you instant access to purified water.

Conclusion

Now you definitely have some food for thought and all the basic knowledge you need to start your plastic-free journey. The upfront cost of the solutions in this guide will quickly be recuperated when compared to buying bottled water year round.

Plus, you have the advantages of customizing your home water filtration system and choosing your favorite water bottle. Not to mention, the benefit of never having to worry about a sweating water bottle in your car’s cupholder.