As I have written about many times before, I am a water fanatic. I like clean, ultra-purified water and have a four-stage filter (with a .015 micron filter on filter #2) in my apartment.
When I go to work, there is a Poland Spring cooler but I refuse to drink from it. Why?
The water tastes very, very off and is not purified.
So, I bring my own bottles of water to work each day. This may sound crazy to some people but drinking high quality water is essential to staying healthy.
Given that I take so much effort to drink good water, the type of bottle that I use is also of great importance.
I used to drink from a BPA-free plastic bottle. The problem with that is that it is still plastic and is leaching other chemicals into the water.
Then, I switched a stainless-steel bottle. I used that for a while and then realized that the steel was giving the water a weird after-taste.
What I am using now are glass water bottles.
While glass water bottles are heavier and can break (I haven’t broken one yet), I believe that they are the single best water bottle on the market. This is because glass does not leach chemicals into the water and the bottles do not alter the taste.
Why I Think That Glass Water Bottles are the Future
– Last fall when I went to Expo East in Boston, the vendors that sell glass water bottles told me that business was absolutely booming. This was confirmed by their booths being jammed and everyone’s reaction to the products was very, very positive.
– Upon seeing the bottles, several of my friends bought them immediately and now use them religiously. How quickly other people (who are not as fanatical about organic as I am) take to products that I suggest is a good litmus test for me.
My Preferred Glass Water Bottle
Takeya glass water bottles are what I am using these days and recommend.
I like them for the following reasons:
– Provides the best tasting water!!
– No leaching of chemicals from plastic, no steel after-taste
– Silicone jacket provides soft grip & protects the glass bottle
– Dishwasher safe
– Cool design, comes in several different colors and eco-friendly
– BPA-free plastic cap.
Dimensions: 3.5″W x 2.8″D x 10.5″H inches
Capacity: 22 oz./0.65L
Once you start using glass water bottles, you will have a hard time using anything else. I take them everywhere with me and LOVE them.
To purchase a Takeya glass water bottle, click HERE.
Hi Max,
Ran across this post as I am looking for a glass or steel water bottle that contains a filter for tap water and I
have only found one out there, the GrayL purifier bottle, that is a bit of an overkill…
Have you any ideas?
I hesitate to buy a filter for my faucet at home, as I rent and I will be moving in the next three months, not sure
where I am going as of yet.
Thanks!
Molly
Hi Molly,
I would rather have a home solution and carry clean water with me in a glass bottle.
Here are a few good solutions that you could take with you to your next apartment.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BWIX1EQ/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00BWIX1EQ&linkCode=as2&tag=livingmaxwell-20&linkId=73R4I53CREOSO2YV
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002F5732Q/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B002F5732Q&linkCode=as2&tag=livingmaxwell-20&linkId=TSXGKKCOOGPDPM2D
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009DAU1NE/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B009DAU1NE&linkCode=as2&tag=livingmaxwell-20&linkId=5NC4KDYM3D6AMTCY
I think we have the same bottle! But I have to ask, how do you clean yours? Because shortly after I started to use my bottle, it gave off a weird smell that I can’t get rid off. I’m guessing it has to do something with the bottle, because I only put water in it. What do you recommend I do to get rid of the smell?
I just wash it with soap and water.
I had one for a while but could never get the bottom cleaned out like if I had used it for coffee. I put it in the dishwasher and it still didn’t come out clean. I threw it out.
First, thank you for your product suggestion. It’s funny how upon finding out that the plastic we used to carry our water in is deemed more dangerous than the water itself. And, then reading everyone’s responses was like reading the different thought-processes and trial-and-errors I have endured over the last few years (including the mason jar LOL) THIS product is great though. The outer sleeve was the part that SOLD me. At first, I thought, “ya until it builds up condensation and slips right out of my hand…But, by time I finished that thought, you were already explaining the nonslip design. I imagine it would help with breakage, and maybe even a semi-insulator as well.
Nonetheless, when you say your water filtration system is “a custom design” was it a DIY project? Something you read? Something you invented n your own? Have you ever tried a reverse osmosis system? Or, is there something better? Is “your” filtration system something doable for the average -good-at-DIY-project gal?
Thank you for your sharing and idea
I always love reading your blog and I also love these water bottles. Thank you!
Thanks so much, Alison!
Hi Max,
Nice web-site:)
Just wondering if you found out about the Takeya water bottles and if they have tested postive for lead, cadmium etc.
I believe this would be important because china and Japan are known to have BAD Glass that makes people sick. 🙂
IS there a USA made Glass water bottle?
Thank you
Pam
Hi Pam,
I just sent a follow-up email to the CEO. Will keep you posted.
I don’t know about any glass bottles made in the USA. Maybe a good business opportunity!
Live well,
Max
This is only one of MANY articles about cadmium and lead found in glass dishes and stoneware that are imported, mostly from China but dishes from other countries (Japan/Ireland) have also tested postive for lead, cadmium etc.
I am wondering if you have had these water bottles tested for lead or other heavy metals?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/21/cadmium-lead-found-in-dri_n_786615.html
I am currently using glass canning bottles (only made in USA brands) for water with the re-usable glass Tattler lids.
What do you think? I just can’t buy anything made in China or Japan!!!! They have a horrid reputation for toxic consumer goods. However this bottle is neat and tempting (because people do look at me weird carrying around my glass canning bottle! Seriously, I get ReallY weird looks like I am swigging moonshine or something LOL!) but only if it tests negative for toxic metals. I am not going to buy one just to test it but if people who already do own them could test them? It is your health and worth the test IMO 😉 Better safe than sorry and I know it is something your readers will want to know 🙂
Just trying to decrease the toxic load on the body you know? Health is wealth!
Hi Tina,
Thanks for sharing this. I will definitely look into it.
Live well,
Max
My water is nasty looking, smelling, and tasting well water i live out in the country and you say bottled spring water is bad how do i get healthy water. What do i need to get to get healthy water any idea’s. Thanks in advance for your help.
Ray
Hi Ray,
If you have well water, you probably need a reverse osmosis system. I can’t say for sure but that is my guess. It also probably depends on what your TDS reading is (total dissoved solids).
Live well,
MAx
Hello!
Great post! I’ll have to find an organic restaurant in Philly to ask about their water filtration system. Do you have any recommendation on good home water filters? Also I read in the comments that you received a glass water bottle with a filter to review. Is that post up on the site? I stumbled upon your site after googling “glass water bottle with filter”, I’m bound and determined to find one! Thanks so much!
Laura
Hi Laura,
EWG just came out with a water filter guide that may be useful to you. http://www.ewg.org/report/ewgs-water-filter-buying-guide
I never did a review of that product because it is not an optimal solution. The best systems have four filters with a very small micron size.
Hope this helps.
Live well,
Max
Oops, I meant the food stays in contact with the glass.
Another great glass bottle is made by LifeFactory. It’s glass with a silicone sleeve. The top is silicone also I believe. They are sold at Lakewinds Natural Foods in the Minneapolis-St Paul area in Minnesota. I, too, prefer glass. It’s been around forever and always been safe for food storage.
I also use a product called Frego. It’s a glass container in a silicone sleeve that I use for my lunch at work. I can microwave, bake, freeze and refrigerate with this one product. It’s fantastic! The food stays in contact with the food and the silicone allows me to remove it from the microwave without need for hot pads. Absolutely love these! Again, I got them from Lakewinds Natural Food.
Cheers!
Kate
Hi Kate,
Yes, LifeFactory is a good one. Thanks for sharing your experience with it.
Live well,
Max
Thank you for your product info. These products would be ideal for, well just about every part of my daily life. The internet has been great for educating on safe-er products, however, it also has created about 20 phobias I never dreamed of having. Although, it seems I am not alone, as I nearly chuckled reading the comments on this page. (Even though, I genuinely had just as many concerns about each product). it seems nothing is truly “safe” anymore. Is this glass “tested and approved?” Thank you for your product suggestion…I am simultaneously looking at their page!!
Not sure if you’re going to reply to this so late, but I was wondering if you know of anyway to have a filter in a glass water bottle. I want to get a glass water bottle, but the only thing i’m worried about is not having filtered water after I run out of what I put in it initially.
I was considering just dealing with the plastic and getting a water bobble.
http://www.waterbobble.com/
Hi Jean-Luc,
I don’t know this product but the question is how much are these filters really taking out? My guess is pretty little and certainly not the big things such as chlorine, trihelamethane gases, and fluoride.
Maybe it does take out some sediment, I can’t say for sure, but the filter looks tiny. Also, the bottle is plastic, even if it is BPA-free.
Hope this helps.
Live well,
Max
Love the idea of these bottles. Are the lids also glass, and if so, what is used to make them water-tight?
Thank you!
Lori
Hi Lori,
The lids are not glass but some form of plastic. Stay tuned, I will check with the company about this.
Live well,
Max
follow up-
ok ya I think I just figured it out. They use Acraglass in their tea jugs and other products and they appear to be saying this is not used in the water bottles. No worries then!
Hi Jane,
You are correct. Here is an email I got this morning from John Lown, President & CEO of Takeya USA.
“Takeya bottles are made of pure glass. Same glass all glass bottles are made from. AcraGlass is a high temperature acrylic BPA free material that we use to make our tea pitchers. Sometimes people get these products confused.
It states very clearly on our website that our bottles are glass. Glass is glass, there is no substitute for glass.”
If you look at the page for the tea pitchers, you’ll see that they use AcraGlass.
http://www.takeyausa.com/products/tea-makers/tea-maker-24oz.html
If you look at the page for the water bottles, you’ll see that they use glass.
http://www.takeyausa.com/products/glass-water-bottles/classic-glass-water-bottle-22oz.html
I hope this clears up any confusion.
Live well,
Max
Hi Max,
I’m very interested in what information you know about the Takeya water bottle (I own 2 of them). At the moment I feel very deceived about them. They say they’re glass yet on their website they say they’re made of AcraGlass. What’s that? Sounds like something hideously plastic. Why would it not just say glass? Why would there need to be an “Acra” in front of it, if it was not the same glass as other bottles. I’ve heard talk that it’s a form of acrylic plastic and I want nothing to do with plastic bottles, especially if this is some kind of new untested plastic with chemicals they feel they need to keep secret from the public for patent reasons. I don’t trust them at all.
Good advice, thanks. I’m new to your site and like what I see. I too am trying to steer away from even BPA-free plastics, for whatever other chemicals they may be leaching into my food. As for a home water filtration system- is there any particular model or system that you recommend? I want to filter my own water, but I don’t know where to begin.
Thanks!
Hi Adam,
Thanks so much.
I have a custom system. The best bet is to go to your local organic restaurant and see who they use to do their water filtration and call them. The products you can buy at the store will be ok but won’t take everything out. That’s my best advice.
Live well,
Max
I noticed this is the FAQ’s – on takeya usa dot com.
Q. What are the water bottles made of?
A. Glass. The glass water bottles are made of a very high quality glass.
Thanks for the info Jamie.
Live well,
Max
Hi Max,
Love your posts! I am concerned however as I recently learned that the Takeya water bottles are not made from glass but rather acrylic. Myself I use Aquasana water bottles, oddly shaped and slippery little devils but they are absolutely glass. 🙂
Hi Kelly,
This is news to me. I have broken one of Takeya´s bottles and from what I can recall, it absolutely seemed like glass to me. I´ll be seeing the people from Takeya at Expo West in about a week and will take this up with them.
Thanks for your input and for your kind words about my posts.
Live well,
Max
Hello Max,
I have only recently become aware of the dangers of BPA. I also thought that other ‘safe’ plastics will leak other toxins, and it will only be time before we discover what those toxins are. Similarly, metal canisters are often lined with a coating to prevent direct contact, and they contain BPA. (Source: )
I am yet to find a Glass Water bottle with a filter. Is there a compatible one for the Takeya (which is a beautiful bottle)? Are the in-bottle filters effective? Are there any dangers from the Activated Carbon itself leaking toxins? I am just a student, and cannot afford four-stage filters yet, so I was hoping in-bottle filters is better than none.
Regards,
Gareth
Hi Gareth,
I have recently been sent a water bottle with a filter in it and am in the process of reviewing it. I am pretty sure that it is glass but cannot say for certain. Stay tuned for a possible blog post about it. Even if it is decent, the filter is relatively tiny and won’t be able to take out everything. It will be better than nothing, however.
I’m with you – I stay away from all of these BPA-free bottles because there is other plastic in there, much of which we don’t know how toxic it is.
Thanks for your comment.
Live well,
Max
Hey! We agree totally and so we’ve created http://www.strawesome.com to replace those nasty plastic straws!
Cheers!
Daedra Surowiec
Owner & Artist
Strawesome, LLC
Hi Daedra,
Great to see and very cool product you have!!
Live well,
Max
Hi Max,
Love your site, and I’m really impressed by all the thought and research you put into your articles. Like you, I’m trying to avoid the plastic thing, but glass is absolutly forbidden at work – glass doesn’t belong on a pool deck. Do you have an sugestions for an alternative?
Katie
Hi Katie,
Thank you so much for your kind words!!! It is a lot of work but it is important that I get all of this information out to people.
I understand the concern about glass bottles on the pool deck. You could switch to stainless steel bottles or you could keep the glass bottles away from the pool and use paper cups around the pool area. That is my best suggestion.
I hope this helps, and thanks for visiting my site. Your feedback is always welcome and appreciated.
Live well,
Max
Hi Max,
I was looking to invest in a high-grade, extreme water filtration system and you seem to be the expert here.
What kind of system do you use? Is it under-the-counter or for your entire apartment (showers, sinks, etc.)?
Thanks for the great post! Love your website
All the best,
Lily
Hi Lily,
Thanks for your kind words.
I have a custom-made system and it is not available in stores. The best thing to do is to go to a few of your local organic restaurants and find out who they use for their water purification. Most organic restaurants have purified water and spend a good amount of money on purification systems.
That is the best advice I can give you and I hope this helps.
Live well,
Max
I think it’s fabulous that you bring water to work everyday! I can definitely taste the plastic aftertaste from a Poland Spring water cooler. I currently use a stainless steel water bottle but would love glass. I don’t think I can take the plunge yet-I have 3 boys under 10. I am envisioning a lot of shattered glass! Thanks for checking out my post on the dangers of BPA free.
Hi Lori,
Great to meet another glass bottle lover!! I love how you mention BPA in cash register receipts. It is something very important that most people have no idea about. Awesome work!!!
Live well,
Max