Greetings, previous posts, & reusable water bottles.

Dear fellow nature enthusiasts and explorers,

     Hello and welcome! It's just one little corner on the web dedicated to exploring the natural world. I hope you have had a chance to breathe some fresh air today. If you haven't, please forsake the reading of this blog and take a break to go outside.

     Just a note: previous to this post all posts were for specific purposes so the structure of posts and topics will have some more variation. For now, here is a a bit of information about reusable water bottles.

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     It isn't hard to see why reusable water bottles are better for the environment than disposable ones, however when choosing to go reusable, the question is raised on which type is best.

http://www.collegefashion.net/uncategorized/special-earth-day-feature-the-truth-about-bottled-water/

(The source of the above image is a great article about bottled water).

     Back in middle school in Green Club we hosted a reusable water bottle sale and sold hundreds of reusable aluminum water bottles. They were durable, they didn't make water taste funny, and a selection of funky decals made it more appealing to a wide audience. A handful of people already had reusable plastic ones, and although it seemed like everyone loved the aluminum ones, reusable plastic bottles have their own benefits.

     One of the greatest benefits of the aluminum ones is that they are durable and will most likely last a very long time, however the metallic taste alone in some is reason enough to pass. I got a deal for an aluminum water bottle that doesn't taste metallic and still in good condition after a number of years, but at regular price they are typically significantly more expensive. Another one that I got for free is in better condition probably because I avoid using it due to the metallic taste of the water, and it may be more of a waste of resources and pollution caused from production.

     If you are planning to go with the metal ones, choose wisely; if it's really cheap, it probably tastes like metal.

     The plastic ones have proven to be especially convenient for trips as they don't weigh as much as the aluminum ones, but they are definitely more breakable and likely to leak. Noe reusable plastic ones are BPA (Bisphenol-A) free, but avoid leaving it in warm environments so that other chemicals in the plastic don't contaminate the water.

     Each has its own benefits and drawbacks. Personally, I prefer a metal one for school because it is more durable and will be used every day (and as long as I make sure I put the cap back on properly I am confident enough that it won't spill all over my books), and the reusable plastic one for day trips and long walks.

     For reusable plastic bottles that have a little crack at the spout, I find tying a cloth around the neck with a rubber band is effective enough in keeping leakage at bay.

     Both have their advantages and weaknesses, and really it depends on what's more important to you. Below is a table listing the pros and cons of each. Feel free to mention points that I have missed in the comments. 

Table 1: Comparing types of reusable water bottles.

	Pros	Cons
Metal (Aluminum /Stainless steel)	- durable* - good for juices - usually a wider selection of designs/styles - may keep contents cooler longer	- sometimes makes the water taste metallic (especially Aluminum) - over time inner coating might start to flake off (especially around the spout)
Reusable Plastic	- lightweight - you can see how much water is left - usually cheaper - wider selection of shapes/forms > some have built-in filters	- it may retain the taste of drinks such as juice - should not be left in warm environments - more breakable - cannot be washed in a dishwasher

*Note: Both may break if put in a freezer with water inside.

What kind of water bottle do you prefer?