My wife says plastic spring bottles are safe to reuse. Are they?

Question

My wife insists on reusing the plastic spring water bottles for drinking water. The label on the bottles clearly says in bold letters “do not reuse.” Her argument is that if the plastic is not safe to reuse, why do they put the spring water in them in the first place. I remember reading somewhere that, once used, the plastic in these bottles breaks down and gets into the refilled drinking water. I can’t convince my wife that it’s not good to reuse these bottles. Does anyone have an expert opinion on this subject?

Answer 1

While plastic water and soft drink bottles are sold with the intention of single use, then recycling, they can be safely reused if cleaned and handled properly. The keys are to ensure that the bottle is not damaged, has been thoroughly cleaned before each use, and is filled with clean tap water.

The reuse of bottles has recently been discussed as having possible health risks. There are two main concerns. There is a potential for the presence and growth of bacteria in these bottles, but with proper cleaning and handling, this risk can be minimised. Another health concern sometimes mentioned around the reuse of plastic bottles is that the plastic may breakdown and release ’chemicals' into the water. Current research into this topic indicates that these concerns are unfounded.

It is important to note that water or soft drink bottles shouldn't be shared during use - they should be used by one individual only to prevent the spread of germs that can lead to illnesses such as meningococcal disease.

Refilling water bottles can result in contamination of the water with bacteria, for example from the hands or mouth of the person filling or using it. With time and in warm conditions, bacteria can multiply to harmful levels, but safe handling and proper cleaning can help prevent this from happening.

Recent reports have specifically suggested that a common plasticiser, DEHA, can leach from plastic soft drink bottles into the liquids they hold, particularly with reuse. However, the majority of plastic water and soft drink bottles are made with a substance called PET, and do not contain DEHA.

While current research indicates chemicals are not released into water by reuse, many of these bottles are manufactured to be recycled, not reused. Some plastic bottles can warp when exposed to heat in the cleaning process. It is therefore important to ensure that after the bottle has been washed in hot water and left to air dry that it is intact and has not been damaged.
Before filling bottles, wash and dry your hands thoroughly so that you don't contaminated it with bacteria.
Examine the bottle to ensure that it is not damaged.
After use, clean bottles and nozzles with hot, soapy water and make sure the inside of the bottle air dries completely before use.
Use good quality water from a safe source.
Bottles should be used by one individual only. Don't share bottles- saliva can transfer germs that can lead to illnesses such as meningococcal disease. Make sure they are labelled with the person's name for easy identification

Answer 2

This is the age of plastic! Everything comes in plastic, we put our left over food in plastic, wash it and reuse it all the time. I surely can't see anything wrong with them! I agree they say do not reuse because they want everyone to buy more. Bottled water is more about convenience than it is about not drinking tap water! We are all bad at drinking the amount of water we are supposed to so we figure if we have a convenient bottle we will do better and drink it!

Answer 3

The bottles say "do not reuse" so they can sell you more water. You can use the bottles over and over until the plastic starts to break down--probably a couple of months or so. I would say don't use them for other liquids like juice or tea though.

Answer 4

The bottles are perfectly safe to reuse. If you need proof of the scams out there, telling it's dangerous, go check it out on snopes.

For what it's worth, my father is an analytical chemist. He'd know if there was any danger in reusing plastic bottles. He reuses his all the time, until they just don't look nice any more.

Answer 5

I have heard that after continued re-use the plastic starts to break down.

But here is a great solution they make water bottles for continued re-use and you just fill them with your own water. Buying a filter and using it is a lot cheaper in the long run plus it saves on all the resources used to produce, ship, sale, and recycle these plastic bottles from bottled water.

I would suggest checking out different information on bisphenol which is the chemical most are concerned about in the plastic bottles and forming your own opinion as this subject right now is greatly argued. Here are a few place to begin your reading.

http://www.mindfully.org/Plastic/Plasticizers/Baby-Bottle-Danger31mar03.htm

http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/features_julieshealthclub/2007/08/scientists-warn.html



also check this site out for alternative plastic products

http://www.plasticsinfo.org/s_plasticsinfo/sec_level3_collapsed.asp?CID=702&DID=2830

Answer 6

I heard the same as you. Once the bottle is empty and you refill it with regular tap water, the plastic does break down and gets into the water you are drinking. Slowly but surely if you continue refilling the same bottle there won't be any bottle left because you would have drank it all. The plastic and the chemicals in the plastic are not good for your body

Answer 7

Yes.
Refresh contents on frequent basis and keep chilled but not in freezer.
My emergency reserve is 60 gallons in unused plastic and
48 more in 6 gallon blue plastic jerrycans.
Previously lived in Third World. Is that experience?
Feel free to beg if the UN or FEMA drops by.

Answer 8

I just heard on TV that all that bad stuff about refilling bottles is nonsense. However, microwaving in some, non approved plastic, can be harmful. We refill all the time, 'cause we have filtered water from our frig.

Answer 9

plastic bottles can be safe to reuse as long as it is only for a short time.
eventually if you use the bottles for a long time the toxins in the plastic start to leak into the water and contaminate your body

Answer 10

Yes there fine to reuse, the water bottlers rinse them, and give them a shot of ozone gas to kill bacteria, then they refill.

I have worked at a bottler for 12 years.