Plastic Water Bottles: Why You Should Stop Using Poisonous Bottles

Water is an essential part of our lifestyles, with the human body's biology composed mostly of this essential liquid. And lately, North America and Europe have become infatuated with neatly packed water in plastic bottles. Unfortunately, this trend also means that 88 percent of these plastic water bottles end up in the landfill, not recycled like they should be.

There is another problem with plastic water bottles beyond the fact that they are environmentally unfriendly. The United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Organic Analytical Toxicology Branch reports that certain plastics can leach a toxin called Bisphenol A (BPA) into your water (source). The CDC says that Bisphenol A (BPA) can have a hormone-like effect on the human reproductive system, as well as other negative health effects. Even worse, more than 90 percent of Americans have been exposed to toxic Bisphenol A (BPA) through the use of water in plastic water bottles.

So what can you do about plastic water bottles? What changes can you make that is ecologically sound and truly "green" and good for the environment? Combating climate change and helping the earth's environment can start with small changes in your daily lifestyle.

First, when buying bottled water in plastic bottles, keep an eye out for the type of plastic being used in the water bottle. While all plastic should be recycled, some are worse than others. Some plastics have a higher chance of leaching toxic poisons into your drinking water.

What symbols to look for on the bottom of your plastic water bottles:

(Look for these numbers within a triangle, usually on the bottom of your plastic containers)