Yep, drinking plenty of water is one of the best things you can do for your overall health and well being. We happen to think that drinking from a really cute bottle is even better for you! So in our quest to stay healthy and be eco-conscious, most of us have made the switch to stainless steel water bottles. Now it seems like those cute metal bottles are popping up everywhere, that’s great right? Well maybe not. It turns out that some aluminum and stainless steel water bottles may still contain BPA that can be leached into your water- ew! Since not all water bottles are created equally, it’s up to retailers and consumers to educate ourselves about our choices.

According to EWG many aluminum & stainless steel water bottles may still contain BPA thanks to a clear lining that you may not even know is there. Aluminum bottles tend to impart a taste into the water. For that reason the practice of lining the bottles with a clear epoxy based resin has become standard. It’s this chemically based resin that houses the bisphenol A (BPA) we have all been trying so hard to avoid. Though the practice may not be as prevalent with stainless steel water bottles the concern here is quality control. There are literally thousands of overseas plants manufacturing stainless steel water bottles in every shape and size. Some bottles are lined during the manufacturing process, some are not. Thanks to the internet , a company or individual can purchase these bottles with little knowledge and even less control of actual manufacturing processes. In their rush to bring a low priced bottle to their market some companies are (perhaps even unknowingly) still exposing consumers to bottles that contain the harmful BPA lining.

The good news is that your don’t necessarily have to research the lineage of your water bottle before making a purchase. Simply look for well know water bottle companies that are better positioned to control the manufacturing process and test their bottles before making them for sale in the US. We’ve been privileged to learn a lot about this process from our friends at Earthlust Water Bottles. Earthlust bottles are custom designed and manufactured exclusively for them under their own manufacturing specifications. This includes the use of non toxic paint for the graphics which is not only great for us but also better for the local environment where they are manufactured. Once the bottles are stateside they are tested by an independent lab for quality control. The Envirosax water bottles are also tested and certified to be BPA free. Both lines are gorgeous and that’s why we fell in love with them but more importantly we will continue to carry these lines and will only offer bottles that are tested and certified for your peace of mind and safety. Go forth and hydrate… with a really cute bottle.

Want to know more: Ewg: http://www.ewg.org/node/20944?gclid=CIH6-MKvuJ8CFaM45QodLhgb3A Ewg blog: http://www.enviroblog.org/2009/11/why-oh-why-is-there-plastic-in-my-aluminum-water-bottle.html