Is it bad to reuse plastic soda bottles to store my drinking water?

Question

I have several 20 oz. plastic soda bottles that I fill with water and just keep in my fridge for drinking water when needed. I heard this is bad because chemicals can leach into your water from the bottle. Is this true? and if it is true, when would the leaching begin? Is it after the expiration date that is stated on the bottle?

Answer 1

I have not heard that reason before. However the plastic ridges can hold and maintain bacteria that can become dangerous if you use them repeatedly. i use my single serve plastic bottles 2 or 3 times over and i haven't grown a third eye yet. but after a couple of refills i recycle them and buy a new case.. e- mail me in a year and see if i am still alive for further research. : )

Answer 2

The plastics industry and the bottled waster industry refute the earlier claims of chemicals leaching into water stored in reused bottles.

Plastics will leach into foods under heated conditions, such as microwaving, which is why it is unsafe to microwave foods in reused butter or whipped topping type containers.

Reusing plastic soda bottles should be fine, as long as you are cleaning them well with hot water and dish soap first, and rinsing well. If you are really concerned with bacteria with reuse, you can clean the bottles with a spoonful of bleach added to the hot water and dish soap and then rinse multiple times.

This does cut down on the production of more plastic bottles, which is great for the environment. Have a good day.

Answer 3

Actually the softer plastic of the soda bottles is not intended for long-term use and will begin to degrade. That added to the bacterial concern, and I would avoid the practice. If you want to use a water bottle for an extended period look for a hard plastic or a poly carb bottle, preferrably one that has a wide mouth and is top rack dishwasher safe (a wide mouth allows you to use a brush to clean it, and allows water to spray up into it in the dishwasher). If you are looking for a larger bottle for in the fridge, consider a sun tea glass jug, or check out the link below, and search for product # 6634. Glass has the advantage of being non-porous, and will actually keep the water colder.
Regarding the expiration date on the bottle, that applies to the product it contains.

Answer 4

The only bad part to this is the germs that accumulate on the mouth of the bottle from your lips. The bottles would not leach into the water for water is stored in plastic bottles for long periods of times. As long as you wash the mouth of the bottle periodically, you should be fine.
I too refill my bottles. I like the shape of the Gatorade bottles and reuse them quite frequently!

Answer 5

Yes, it's true. Those bottles were not meant for long term storage and will begin to degrade into your drinking water. The expiration date is a good guideline for you to use.

Answer 6

I think it would be o.k. to do. If it leaked chemicals, then they couldn't sell it in bottles to begin with. I keep telling mom in law to re-use the water bottle for the grandkids. They all want a water and don't drink it all. It's expensive.

Answer 7

Reusing the bottles is great. Just keep them clean (ie. wash them out once in awhile), and just swap them for new ones after a month or so. Small bottles are great for leaving in the car when you're out (esp. in a freezer pack/esky with an ice pack). Stays cold when you return after a day out and driving home.

Answer 8

Yes, I've heard of it recently. It leaches toxins when it is heated.

Answer 9

using your 20oz bottles to put drinking water in is a great idea. i doubt that it hurts anything. we have done that too.

Answer 10

no its not,but all you have to do is dont keep the water inside it for more than three days,i advice change the water if your not using them.