By: Grace Leone
As students attend classes and go about their day on campus, there is no shortage of water bottles in their hands, in their backpacks, on their desks and even for purchase around campus. Within the past decade, reusable water bottles are one of the most common campus trends, with social media often influencing consumers about popular brands and customization options.
Bellarmine student Lindsey Guilford, a junior arts administration major, said she uses a reusable water bottle from the brand Owala.
Guilford displays her Owala water bottle.
Guilford said: “Well, I don't have to buy a new plastic water bottle every time, and then obviously there's the environmental answer. I'm not throwing away a plastic water bottle every time.”
Prajita Bhetwal, a sophomore design, arts and technology and psychology double major, said she has seven reusable water bottles, and they are appealing to her for many reasons.
“It keeps my water hot or cold for a really long time depending on the brand. [Also] consistency with how I prefer to drink it with a straw, I don't like to drink it without a straw. [Also] then the ability to reuse and recycle my water bottle because of the environment,” Bhetwal said.
Guilford said she also likes the health benefits of a reusable water bottle.
Guilford said, “I drink a lot of water, so I know that's good to keep me healthy, keeping hydrated.”
For Bhetwal, her water bottle plays a big role in her day-to-day activities.
Bhetwal said, “If I don't have my water bottle, I somehow feel more thirsty than I will ever throughout the day, and I just need a thing of water with me 24/7.”
Some students like to personalize their water bottles.
Kate Grayson, a sophomore communication major, customized her bottle with stickers. She said, “I have my dog and my work [as stickers].”
Grayson shows the personalized stickers on her water bottle.
But does the popularity of reusable water bottles, and the opportunity to purchase many of them, do more environmental harm than good?
Reusable water bottles sit for purchase on shelves in the University Bookstore.
Dr. Michele Abee, assistant professor of environmental studies at Bellarmine University, said at the basic level, reusable water bottles help keep plastics out of landfills and recycling facilities.
Abee said, “Not all recycle facilities are created equal, especially when it comes to plastic.”
Abee said not all grades of plastics can be handled at every recycling facility. “There are all these different types of grades where some recycling facilities are more apt or prone to accepting certain recyclable goods than others,” she said.
Guilford said: “I think any sort of like manufacturing at this point is probably like harming the environment. But in terms of the like standard plastic waste and how it hurts like sea creatures and stuff, I think there is definitely still that effect like plastic water bottle wise.”
Abee also said this principle of recycling capability also applies to the mentals used in some reusable water bottles.
“Stanley [water bottles are] mostly made of stainless steel. While stainless steel is recyclable, it depends on the facility and what the facility is capable of taking in,” she said.
Grayson said she can see both sides of the environmental argument.
“Yes and no. I feel like they're good that we're not like wasting as much plastic as typical, but that also means there's also a lot more metal consumption and a lot more being produced. So, I guess yes and no,” she said.
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