4 June, 2024

The True Cost of Single-Use Plastic Bottles

In the past 50 years, plastic production has skyrocketed, leading to an overwhelming reliance on disposable plastic bottles. This has sparked significant environmental concerns. Shocking visuals of massive trash islands, littered beaches, and marine animals harmed by plastic ingestion are causing widespread alarm. Consequently, plastic pollution is now a major topic in global environmental discussions.

The statistics are alarming: In 2019 alone, approximately 1.3 billion plastic bottles were purchased daily around the world. If stacked, these bottles could form a structure half the size of the Eiffel Tower every day. Despite their convenience and sometimes superior taste compared to tap water, single-use plastic water bottles often do more harm than good, impacting not just the environment but also personal finances and health.

In response, a global shift is occurring. More individuals are opting for reusable bottles, driven by scientific reports indicating we have about a decade to significantly change our environmental impact to prevent irreversible damage.

An important aspect to consider is the financial benefit of this shift. How much money can one save by switching from single-use to reusable bottles?

Continue reading to see how abandoning single-use plastic bottles not only benefits the environment but also offers substantial savings both immediately and in the future.

Huge Savings When You Switch

Recent studies have unveiled that the average Australian's spending on bottled water significantly exceeds previous estimates. Traditionally pegged at $5 per week, translating to $200 annually, new findings suggest these figures vastly underestimate actual expenditure on single-use plastic water bottles.

This study indicates that an average Australian can save about $1,300 each year by replacing disposable plastic bottles with reusable ones. A key factor in this shift is the durability of alternatives like stainless steel water bottles, which can last up to 12 years. In contrast, reusable plastic bottles typically have a lifespan of five years.

Financially, this translates to potential savings of approximately $15,600 over 12 years when switching to a stainless steel drink bottle. Considering the affordability of these bottles – often priced below $20 and available in various styles and sizes – the savings are even more compelling.

Choosing a cheaper reusable plastic bottle, priced around $10, can lead to savings of over $6,5000 in five years. This is particularly noteworthy considering the short replacement cycle of these bottles.

On a household scale, these savings multiply. For a family of four using reusable stainless steel bottles, the initial investment would be about $100. Over a 12-year period, this could lead to collective savings of a whopping $62,400.

The Hidden Costs

The health benefits of staying hydrated are well-established, but the trend of consuming bottled water, fueled by the fashion and runway events of the early to mid-1980s, has led to a massive surge in plastic bottle sales. These bottles are often marketed as being beneficial for skin and hair, safer than tap water, and a healthier alternative to sugary drinks.

This marketing has profoundly impacted consumer habits. Let's look at the USA as an example. In 2012, the U.S. spent a staggering $11.8 billion on plastic bottled water, a nearly 7% increase from the previous year. Since the early 1990s, the consumption of bottled water has risen by over 300%, with sales increasing by more than 370%. The only dip in this trend occurred during the 2008/2009 recession, but the market quickly rebounded to record highs. Despite the growing popularity of reusable water bottles, the bottled water industry shows no signs of slowing down.

What's particularly striking is the cost implication for consumers. According to Business Insider, the average cost of bottled water in the U.S. is $1.22 per gallon, equating to nearly 300 times the cost of tap water in major cities. In a year, the bottled water industry generated $11.8 billion from 9.7 billion gallons of water, breaking down to around $6 per five gallons. This means bottled water costs about 300 times more than tap water in places like Houston.

The expense is even higher considering that almost two-thirds of all bottled water sales are in 16.9-oz single-use bottles, which raises the cost to approximately $7.50 per gallon. In comparison, this cost is nearly 2000 times that of tap water!

It is a similar cost comparison here in Australia, so why are we paying 2,000 times the cost we need to, just to drink water. It makes no sense.

Health Cost Savings

It's not just about saving $$$. It's also about your health. Using reusable water bottles instead of single-use plastics can make a huge difference when it comes to protecting your health and improving your well-being.

A growing body of research has repeatedly shown that single-use plastic bottles may leach a sizeable amount of a long list of harmful compounds that include Bisphenol-A (BPA), styrene, DiNP (Diisononyl phthalate), antimony, and some phthalates.

If these unsafe levels of these toxic substances make their way into your bloodstream, they can have adverse effects on your health. Let’s take a look at the elephant in the room, BPA, for example. As with most synthetic diphenyl methanes, BPA can be hazardous to your body at levels as low as 2.5 micrograms per kilogram of your body weight.

Studies have linked BPA to an increased risk for thyroid disease, premature deliveries, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, liver disease, and reproductive problems. Needless to say, all of the health complications will cost you big bucks in doctor’s office visits and hospitalizations.

In one particular study from Consumer Reports, investigators found that bottled water sold by some leading brands may contain unsafe levels of arsenic. This is another metallic chemical that you should be worried about when consuming water from single-use plastic bottles.

Long-term intake of arsenic via drinking water can lead to skin lesions and various cancers of the skin, lungs, and other internal organs. Exposure to the element has also been linked to increased risk for diabetes, cognitive disorders, and heart disease. On the other hand, a reusable water bottle can be a godsent for your fitness and health, which can help you save more money on insurance premiums. Stainless steel water bottles, for instance, can help you drink more water and fluids like tea or coffee

The Wrap Up
The transition from single-use plastic water bottles to reusable alternatives encompasses a complex array of benefits, touching upon environmental, financial, and health aspects.

- Environmental and Financial Implications: The excessive use of single-use plastic bottles has led to severe environmental issues, including the proliferation of plastic waste. Financially, the reliance on bottled water represents a significant, often underestimated expense for consumers. Studies indicate that using reusable bottles can lead to substantial savings, both in terms of reduced expenditure on bottled water and the broader environmental costs.

- Health Benefits: Beyond environmental and financial considerations, it is critical for health reasons. Research has shown that chemicals leached from plastic bottles, such as BPA and arsenic, pose serious health risks. These include an increased likelihood of chronic diseases, reproductive issues, and other health complications, which can lead to higher medical costs. In contrast, reusable bottles, especially those made from safer materials like stainless steel, mitigate these risks and promote healthier hydration habits.

- Cultural Shift and Long-Term Impact: The increasing awareness of the detrimental effects of single-use plastics is driving a cultural shift towards more sustainable practices. This change is not only about individual choices but also reflects a broader societal move towards responsible consumption and environmental stewardship.

The advantages of using reusable water bottles extend far beyond just reducing plastic waste. They offer a holistic approach to improving personal health, reducing long-term financial costs, and fostering a sustainable environment. This change, while seemingly small at an individual level, contributes significantly to a larger global effort towards a healthier, more financially prudent, and environmentally responsible world.

The Drink Bottles Team