Re-use?

Q: Is it safe to re-use a disposable plastic water bottle?

By LisaTracy

A: Yes, but only up to a point. The bottles, designed for one-time use, are usually made of polyethylene, a flexible plastic that can be damaged with repeated use and washing. Some preliminary research suggests that this can release potentially harmful chemicals. But the studies have had inconsistent results, and researchers disagree about whether these compounds pose a significant risk.

A better reason not to re-use the bottles over and over is that they can become contaminated with bacteria from your hands or mouth. Bacteria don’t grow easily in water, but can thrive when saliva and food particles are present, especially if the bottle is left at room temperature

If you do refill your water bottle, do so only a few times. Before refilling, wash it in hot, soapy water, as you would anything you drink from—but not in the dishwasher. Wash the cap, too, and inside the narrow neck. Keep a re-used bottle out of heat or sunlight, which may speed degradation and increase bacterial growth.