I’m still learning: Those of us pushing for ecological stewardship and sustainability should dump bottled water and drink straight from the tap. Push for clean water at the local municipal level, install tap-filters, and solve the problem at the source. Bottled water actually costs upwards of $1.27 per gallon and produces tons and tons of new plastic garbage.
I dunno. I don’t like drinking out of bottles because the vacuum effect of drinking from them causes me to drink less water (mostly because I’m lazy). But you have to admit: there are worse forms for oil to end up in. Plastic bottles in landfills don’t affect the water table even to the extent that compostable material does, and landfills become nice clean parks that can’t be developed. Buried plastic bottles are better for the environment than unrefined petroleum.
Nalgene bottles are available from REI and similar sporting goods stores across the nation. http://www.rei.com
It is a journey, my friend. It’s one that we must constantly check and re-check our progress … and honestly so. I’m convinced that stewardship of our planet is - and is going to continue to be - a huge aspect of serious Christian discipleship. I know our family is in the midst of making serious changes … as we learn and are led by the Holy Spirit.
I’m off to find a permanent bottle like yours! Maybe even an old lookin’ metal canteen! Thanks for the tips.
One of my favorite gifts ever is my green Nalgene water bottle from my wife who found it at Eastern Mountain Sports. Now I have recently read that while they are nearly indestructible some of what goes into the plastic might be the healthiest for long term use. The article I am referencing mentioned that metal canteens likely are the healthiest all around.
All that said, I still love my bottle and plan on using it until I no longer can. I do try my best not to drink water from disposable/recyclable bottles aside from an emergency… It is a hard choice though since often that water is considerably better than this city’s yet it is easy enough to filter it with any number of mass market filter pitchers or ones that go right on the tap. Many choices there.
One more area to try to be faithful. It is quite a journey.