Imagine your disposable plastic water bottle filled a quarter of the way with oil. That's about how much it took to produce just that one bottle. While these bottles are recyclable, last year over 22 billion of them still ended up in the trash, where they'll take hundreds of years to break down.

Reusable water bottles only have to be produced once, and can be used for years. This not only saves resources and landfill space, it also saves you money.

Some materials used to make water bottles are safer than others:

• Single-use plastic water bottles – The plastic most commonly used in single-use bottles (#1 polyethylene terephthalate) is safe for one-time use only. Upon reuse, harmful chemicals from the plastic can leach into your water. This type of plastic is also porous, which makes prime breeding ground for bacteria when reused.
• Reusable polycarbonate water bottles – Researchers are still studying whether #7 polycarbonate, popular in high-quality sports bottles, can also leach chemicals.
• Your Best Choice: Reusable metal water bottles – For the least risk, choose a stainless steel or lined aluminum bottle, like these made by Coleman…

• 16 oz. and 32 oz.
• Stronger and lighter than polycarbonate
• Attach securely to backpacks with looped caps
• Seal tightly with heavy O-ring
• Protect contents with permanent epoxy lining