Stainless Steel vs Glass Water Bottles: A Complete Guide
Reusable water bottles like glass or stainless steel bottles cut back on plastic use and are a great eco-friendly option. But which is the better option as a whole? We’re here to help you decide on your own which material type you would prefer for your custom water bottles!
Stainless Steel Water Bottles
Benefits
Personalized stainless steel water bottles are insulated, ensuring your beverage stays hot or cold for the entirety of your day. An added bonus, stainless steel is reusable and recyclable. Although, the recycling process does take more time compared to other materials like glass and plastic. Wholesale stainless steel water bottles are very durable and will last for years on end.
Downsides
Stainless steel and glass water bottles are both very durable materials but have a lot of differences to contemplate. Stainless steel bottles will last for years but do tend to scratch and dent fairly easily. Often leading to a dented bottle that won’t stand up straight. Stainless steel bottles are eco-friendly in the sense that they are reusable and recyclable, however, stainless steel production produces greenhouse gas emissions, making it a major contributor to global warming. Stainless steel bottles do tend to have a metallic taste due to the metal content of the bottle, but that usually goes away after the first wash.
Pros
Durable
Keeps drinks cold for 24 hours
Does not rust
Recyclable but takes longer to recycle
Cons
Emits high levels of carbon during production
Tends to have metallic taste
Dents and scratches over time
Glass Water Bottles
Benefits
Glass bottles seem like they would be the less durable option for obvious reasons. News flash, they aren’t. Glass bottles are made with a thick glass that takes quite a bit of force to break. On that note, breaking your personalized glass water bottle is still a possibility. We recommend treating glass bottles just like you would your cell phone. Since glass is still considered a fragile material. An added bonus is that glass doesn’t alter the taste of your beverage like metal-based water bottles do. The main difference between stainless steel and glass is sustainability. Glass is 100% recyclable while stainless steel emits high levels of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere during production.
Downsides
The main disadvantage of custom glass water bottles is that they are more fragile than stainless steel, depending on the type of glass your bottle is made of, of course. Glass bottles are heavier to carry than other material types since they are made with thicker glass, to make up for durability. Lastly, glass bottles are not very insulated, meaning if you put cold or hot water in your bottle, it will return to room temperature. Putting hot liquids in a personalized glass water bottle causes the bottle to heat up too quickly and will more than likely end up burning you.
Pros
100% recyclable
Glass doesn’t retain flavor at all and keeps your water untainted by weird residual flavors
Dishwasher safe
Durable - will not degrade over time
Cons
More fragile
Tends to be more expensive
Shorter life span
How to Clean Your Reusable Water Bottle
Cleaning your reusable bottle is as easy as 1, 2, 3! Most stainless steel and glass bottles are dishwasher safe, however, it always depends on the manufacturer. It is good to always double-check that you are following the manufacturers’ cleaning instructions. This will ensure your bottle stays in tip shop shape! If you prefer cleaning by hand, all you need to do is fill your bottle halfway with warm water and soap, then put the cap on, shake your bottle for about a minute, and your bottle is squeaky clean!
Which is Best For You?
When you buy reusable water bottles you are doing your part to save the Earth and reduce pollution, but which is ultimately better for the planet? Glass is hands down the more eco-friendly water bottle option since it is almost always made with at least partially recycled materials and is 100 percent recyclable. Glass water bottles are always in a continuous cycle of being melted and recycled to make new glass products. Stainless steel production, on the other hand, is a big part of the pollution of our planet. Although it is still recyclable, the recycling process takes longer than glass products do. Sustainability aside, it is best to consider which will work for you long term. Yes, you can keep a custom stainless steel water bottle for years, however, there is no avoiding dents and scratches that may affect the way your bottle stands. Glass bottles can break but most are made with a high-quality glass that can survive falls pretty easily. As you can see there are many things to consider. Now it’s up to you to make an informed decision on reusable water bottles!
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