It’s no secret that the use of single-use plastics has vastly increased in the last several decades. This is especially true when you consider the statistics following the introduction of water bottles.
Bottling water has been practiced since the 1600s. However, commercial bottled water did not explode in the United States until the late 1970s. Today, bottled water is the most popular commercial beverage in the country and accounts for approximately one-quarter of all commercial beverage consumption.
While it’s great that people are drinking more water than ever, the downside is that it often results in plastic waste. People drink their bottles of water and toss the empty bottles (hopefully) into the trash or recycling bin.
Unfortunately, these bottles aren’t as recyclable as we’ve been led to believe, and even if they were, many of them end up in places other than recycling factories.
The good news is that there are other options available for people attending events and festivals. One of the best options is to use a refillable water bottle, which will allow you to have access to clean water without generating piles of empty water bottles.
Why Use a Refillable Water Bottle?
Refillable water bottles are just as they sound – they are designed to be refilled over and over and reused in place of disposable bottles or cups. They reduce waste while allowing you to consume water on the go because you don’t need to worry about spillage.
Refillable bottles are typically made from durable plastic, aluminum, or glass. Each type has pros and cons that vary based on personal preference and where you intend to use the bottle.
In addition to being more environmentally friendly and convenient, refillable bottles offer a few other benefits. For example:
- Customizable: You can get a water bottle in almost any color, design, or style. You can also use these bottles as marketing tools by screen printing a logo on the bottles.
- Versatile: You should be able to carry an empty water bottle just about anywhere. Some come with hooks or handles that make it easy to attach to a backpack or carry them around with only a finger to hold them.
- Taste: Many people believe water tastes better from refillable bottles than commercial plastic bottles. Of course, this all depends on the source of the water, but as long as the water is fresh and clean when it goes into the bottle, it tends to taste that way when it comes out, especially from glass or metal bottles.
- Quality: Although you might believe bottled water is always clean and healthy, this might not be true. Not all bottled water is created equally, and you might not get the clean product you believe you are when you buy a bottle.
How Are Single-Use Plastics Damaging Our Environment?
If you aren’t convinced that switching to a refillable bottle is the way to meet your hydration needs, maybe learning more about how single-use plastics are damaging our environment will convince you.
Single-use plastics pollute the environment. Most of these bottles end up in landfills and bodies of water, and each bottle takes several hundred years to decompose. Sea life and other wildlife can also get tangled or stuck in single-use plastic bottles and other items.
The manufacturing of these bottles depletes our natural resources. These plastics are made from a non-renewable source of energy. Additionally, the manufacturing and sales process contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.
Microplastic pollution is also a problem. Over time, as these bottles eventually break down, the tiny particles end up in the food chain. Recent studies have shown that most people have some degree of microplastics in their bodies.
In addition to the health risks associated with microplastics, many believe that exposure to BPA and phthalates in plastics is risky. Exposure to these additives affects hormones and might put children at risk of developmental issues.
As if health and climate issues weren’t enough, single-use plastics pose a high economic cost. Cleaning up the waste created by plastic water bottles is expensive. Not to mention plastic litter has a negative impact aesthetically. Nobody wants to walk into a park or swim in a lake littered with old plastic bottles.
How Can a Quench Buggy Water Station Help?
If you’ve decided it’s time to invest in a refillable water bottle, you’re probably wondering how helpful it will be when you’re away from a water fountain. These bottles are great for home, school, or work, where you’re very likely to be within a few feet of a water fountain or faucet at all times.
But what about when you want to use a refillable water bottle outside? Maybe you want to visit an area park, go for a hike, or attend an outdoor festival or other event. For a refillable water bottle to be effective, you’ll need a source from which to fill it.
That’s where Quench Buggy comes in.
Quench Buggy water filling stations are mobile hydration solutions that provide clean, accessible drinking water at outdoor events and public spaces. Our goal is to reduce single-use plastic waste by offering refillable water options and promoting sustainable hydration practices.
Our water stations are available for purchase or rent. They are an excellent opportunity for an event organizer or community authorities to ensure that clean, fresh drinking water is always available when people need it.
If you’d like to know more or are ready to rent or buy a water filling station for your summer event or festival, call us or visit our website.