By Rosie Lu
As Earth Day approaches, the bone-crunching crinkle noises and familiar paper labels of my peers’ disposable water bottles are more notable than ever as catalysts for climate change. Whether it’s Kirkland, Aquafina, Crystal Geyser, or even “premium” options like Smartwater, everyone knows that single-use bottles are clogging oceans and rivers with microplastics and endangering species like turtles in these habitats. But we can just recycle, right?
The unfortunate truth is that, despite these bottles being “recyclable,” most people don’t even care to choose the blue bin, instead using the nearest garbage can for the sake of convenience. But even recycled plastic is detrimental to the environment—the material is “downcycled” into lower-quality products, and that process, in itself, ironically increases pollution and costs.
So, instead of fretting over a lose-lose situation, many families have switched over to reusable water bottles for their substantial benefits—insulation, spill-free design, plus shapes and sizes for every lifestyle. Plus, the ROI stacks up in about a month, with plastic water bottles priced at around $1 each and reusable ones costing around $30.
With so many well-known options on the market, it can be difficult to choose one to invest in. But Owala, specifically the FreeSip, stands out for its special design, which caters to every possible type of water-drinker and eliminates the need to purchase a new one due to some unforeseen problem—leaky lids, inconvenient drinking spouts, or difficulty in cleaning. A combination of a built-in straw and a wide-mouth opening gives the user a choice in hydration—dainty sips, holding the bottle upright, or a hearty chug, tilting it back. The handle that usually swings around uselessly on bottle lids serves a double purpose as an airtight lock, preventing any frustrating leakage. Busy multitaskers can simply unlock and open the lid with one hand—all it takes is the click of a button. Colorways exist in nearly every aesthetic, with different colors for the handle, lid, button, and various design details. Shy Marshmallow for the grayscale lovers, Coastal Mist for beach regulars, Sandy Shores for cutesy pastel looks, and Sagebrush for boho natural tones.
Other product lines include a twist version of the FreeSip, a tumbler with a straw, and a coffee mug. Aside from the perfect color palettes, most of the variations seem pretty similar to their competitors—Stanley, Hydroflask, and other mainstream brands. But my personal favorite, the kids’ tumbler, is the chic, eco-friendly alternative to single-use plastic cafe cups you might see at Starbucks or a boba spot, a perfect container for a morning coffee or matcha. The built-in straw’s opening is engineered to reduce spillage even when the tumbler is flipped upside down.
So if you’re looking to reduce waste and searching for a worthy alternative to your usual Crystal Geyser, hop on the Owala train and start to love hydrating. But don’t fall for the brand’s genius color drop strategy. Collecting Owala colorways would make you no less of a consumerism final boss than Pokémon card lovers and Sonny Angel fanatics. Commit to a bottle you’re sure to love, and hydrating will no longer be an unachievable goal but a daily joy. Saving money, saving the earth, saving the turtles, what’s not to love about reusable water bottles?