Nalgene, a longtime maker of reusable water bottles that have been hugely popular among Northwest hikers, is going to stop making its hard-plastic, polycarbonate bottles because of concerns about BPA.
BPA, also known as bisphenol A, is a manufacturing chemical that mimics the hormone estrogen. BPA can, according to some scientists, leach from bottles into food and water at levels unsafe for human consumption.
“By eliminating containers containing BPA from our consumer product mix, our customers can have confidence that their needs are being met,” Nalgene said a press release.
Nalgene will introduce a new Everyday line, an assortment of bottles manufactured with copolyester, a new-wave plastic that does not contain BPA. “The new Everyday products are already available in stores and will be available through www.nalgene-outdoor.com next month.”
The Food and Drug Administration has said repeatedly that polycarbonate is food safe and that BPA leaching levels are miniscule, far too low to affect human health.
In Canada, however, government officials are considering banning BPA from baby bottles.
I’ve been a fan of Nalgene and other polycarbonate bottles for many years now, but have fallen out of love with them lately because of the BPA issue. My husband and I donated all but our newest bottles to Goodwill, keeping a few newer ones for our backcountry travels.
Most polycarbonate bottles that contain BPA have a No. 7 recycling symbol on the bottom, which makes them easy to spot.
We’ve switched our regular household water bottles to Swiss-made aluminum SIGGs and they have worked out wonderfully, frankly, better than our Nalgenes. Even after months of use and no real washing to speak of on my part (ahem), they still make water taste great.
We couldn’t be happier. Plus, there are all kinds of cool designs to express your personal style.
What have you done in response to the news about BPA and polycarbonate?
Please comment below or write me here.
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