Hey hey,
I can’t believe I did it, but I purchased quite an expensive water bottle from S’Well. Similar to the S’well Founder’s aim, I want to stop using plastic water bottles. I have been provided 1L to 1.5L water bottles daily at work for the past 3 years, and always drink out of them. Little did I realize at the time I may have been harming my body more than doing it good from keeping hydrated.
A Little 101 on Plastic Bottles
Aside from the absolute waste of plastic us humans go through on the daily and the price we pay to have access to “fresh” Canadian water, it’s most likely we’ve been drinking from low quality plastic bottles. By this I mean they have Bisphenol A (BPA) and pthalates.
“Bisphenol A is just one chemical that’s been in the news — and in many plastic bottles — recently. This compound mimics estrogens (human female hormones) and has been linked to breast and ovarian cancers and childhood developmental problems. It is found in clear, hard polycarbonate plastic commonly used in household and commercial water coolers and some reusable bottles, and it’s just one potentially harmful substance associated with plastic containers.”
“[Pthalates] are commonly used in the U.S. to make plastics such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) more flexible. Phthalates are also endocrine-disrupting chemicals that have been linked to a wide range of developmental and reproductive effects, including reduced sperm count, testicular abnormality and tumors, and gender development issues.”
S’well is about nice, sleek and beautiful looking bottles that’ll keep water cold for 24 hours and hot for 12. What’s nice is that it’s doubled lined stainless steel on the inside so you don’t experience condensation. I decided to go for the 500ml Jade bottle from the Stone Collection. I specifically wanted a bottle like this so it’s nice and grippy, and I’m also hoping the colour doesn’t fade as fast (I’ve read a S’well review where her satin bottle colour was peeling). Also, the Stone Collection offers the beautiful jade colour, which is not so neony, but colourful enough. Plus, as you can see from my website, I really like teal.
The Test
I’ve only used my bottle to keep liquids cool, in various situations (why would I want a 500ml hot drink????)
Out by the pool:
35C
Left it in the sun for a few hours.
I put near to ice cold water in this bottle and left it poolside. When I touched the bottle it was pretty hot, and I couldn’t believe how cold it still was after I left it in the sun for so long! It was definitely welcomed after getting my sun tan on.
In my work bag:
20-23c
In my bag for 24 hours.
I worked a 10 hour shift and just left it in my bag overnight. I checked the water in the morning and though it wasn’t as cold as I originally left it, it was definitely still pleasant to drink. Style wise, its sleekness is definitely useful. I put it in my smaller bag for work, and I’m still able to fit all my essentials.
Working out outside:
26C
Left it in a bag, in humid, cloudy weather for 2 hours.
I was busy testing out a new work out routine (which I will soon post about) in the ravine near my place and left the bottle in a heavy backpack for about an hour. And you guessed it, it was the best water I’ve ever tasted (working out in humidity ain’t that fun).
Overall Opinion
Call me crazy, but I really really like this water bottle. It has proven itself worthy in it’s functionality (keeping me water cool, it’s sleekness). A bonus about this bottle is that you’ll never experience condensation on the outside of the bottle. I know, first world problem, but it’s a bonus! I’ll try testing it out with a hot liquid soon, but with summer here, it may be a while.
Enjoy the summer!
xo, M
Links I referred to:
Lights, Zion. What’s the Problem with Plastic Bottles? One Green Planet. Retrieved http://www.onegreenplanet.org/animalsandnature/whats-the-problem-with-plastic-bottles/.
Suzuki, David & Moola, Faisal. Message in a Bottle. David Suzuki Foundation. Retrieved http://www.davidsuzuki.org/blogs/science-matters/2008/05/message-in-a-bottle/.