Americans purchase almost 50 billion plastic water bottles every year. If you're one of the millions who reach for disposable bottles to stay hydrated, here are five reasons to make the switch to reusable.
Save money
A pack of plastic water bottles at the store can go for deceptively low prices, but those purchases can quickly add up. According to Case Western Reserve University, plastic water bottles can end up costing you $260 a year! Compare that with the one-time cost of a reusable water bottle, which can go for $5-$30.
Avoid microplastics
All plastic products shed tiny, microscopic particles called microplastics, and plastic water bottles are no exception. In water bottles, those microplastics leech into the water itself and are present in your every sip. Researchers have found that those who regularly use plastic water bottles ingest 90,000 more microplastics each year than those who don’t. While research on how microplastics affect humans is still developing, it’s best to limit your exposure to them. Simple switches, like using a reusable plastic-free water bottle, can make a difference.
You can refill your bottle almost everywhere at Pitt
At Pitt, there’s at least one water fountain in each building and residence hall, meaning you can refill your water bottle anywhere you go! Each fountain is cleaned daily and sources its water from the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA). In fact, last year the PWSA reported that their water supply has hit its lowest ever lead levels, “outperforming local, state, and federal standards." Pitt also tests the water regularly to ensure that it meets standards set by the EPA. The University is doing all it can to ensure that clean and safe water is available for students to have anywhere on campus.
Make your bottle your own
Other than just keeping you hydrated, reusable water bottles provide you with a canvas that you can personalize with stickers and art. A water bottle you enjoy seeing and look forward to using can encourage you to keep yourself hydrated. Plus, it’s always nice to have something that feels like you.
Reduce waste
Above all, opting for a reusable water bottle reduces waste. Above all, opting for a reusable water bottle reduces waste. Pitt's Sustainability Plan includes a goal to reduce landfill waste 25% from 2017 levels by 2030, part of our plan to become carbon neutral by 2037. The US uses and disposes almost 50 billion plastic water bottles every year. These bottles end up in our parks, streams, oceans, and our landfills, where they’re incinerated and release chemicals into our atmosphere. Switching to reusable water bottles helps to eliminate waste and helps keep our land cleaner and safer for future generations.
Want to learn more about Pitt's water systems and hydration stations? Join us for a campus water quality town hall on Tuesday, February 17. Learn more here.