If you haven't purged your household of all polycarbonate (PC), Polypropylene (PP), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC or vinyl) plastic containers by now, please sort through your cupboards and make a full-blown commitment to your health. Bisphenol-A (BPA) has made headlines in the last several years because the monomer, utilized during plastic synthesis, happens to be an endocrine-disruptor which duplicates, blocks or exaggerates hormonal responses. Causing seriously detrimental biological effects, the chemical is responsible for birth defects and various other reproductive issues, Alzeheimer's disease, heart disease, prostate cancer and breast tumors. In addition, plastics are non-renewable, created using fossil fuels, energy intensive to manufacture and they release chemicals not just during their production but also when exposed to food, beverages and heat.
Many of us fail to realize that BPA is used not just in the creation of rigid #7 plastic bottles -- it is also the main ingredient in polycarbonate tableware, polymerized dental sealants, a liner inside of food cans and beverage containers, etc., so the best choice for your health is to rely on natural and inert food & liquid storage materials when at all possible. After this year's SIGG bottle debacle, countless people were seeking a worthy replacement that would enable them to feel at ease about toting their own water. Stainless steel containers became a popular alternative, particularly because brands like Kleen Kanteen are not just phthalate, lead, toxin and BPA-free but also lack any internal epoxy or plastic liner. Aside from metal containers and purportedly BPA-free plastic versions, what other alternatives are there (barring a ceramic cup and a steady hand)?
Believe it or not, a good old fashioned recycled tempered glass bottle -- composed out of melted, solidified finely ground sand, calcium magnesium carbonate, sodium carbonate, sodium sulfate and limestone -- can fit the bill nicely. As long as you're not an uber-klutz afflicted with a chronic case of the dropsies, you can refill a reclaimed glass vessel with a screw top repeatedly until the cows home. If you want a bit of an insurance policy, you can handcraft a recycled sock cozy to ensure that if the whole container reaches the ground during some sort of mishap, the blow will be cushioned somewhat. If you are looking for a more stylish alternative, it's worth considering the $15 artist and illustrator-inhanced offerings at Faucet Face (pictured above). Designed to be thicker than conventional versions, they will stand up to the rigors of heavy lifting and frequent dropping. In addition to bearing cool designs, 5% of the purchase price of each will be donated to charity:water which earmarks 100% of their donors' money straight to fresh water project costs in developing nations. Now that's something worthwhile that I can drink to!
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