Water is a necessity. A nice cold glass of water to quench your thirst on a hot summer afternoon can cure a foul day in an instant. A reusable bottle is crucial to keep that icey water cool for longer. Every few years there is a new trend to mark the water bottle of the season. In the more recent years, it’s moved from Hydro Flasks to Yetis and then to the current path of Stanley tumblers. As businesses flock to create their own version of the new, hot bottle and people continue to buy, the irony of these reusable containers continues to grow.
Reusable bottles, at their core, were made to reduce the number of single-use containers in everyday life. As water bottles have grown and evolved, with better insulation to keep water cool, different forms of lids to sip, drink, and carry, and fun designs to personalize their cup, people easily find a multitude of reasons to buy a bottle and stay hydrated. The bottles just needed to be cleaned on a regular basis. With its origins in good conscience, the current perspective has taken an extreme turn. In the age of digital media, people are constantly attempting to keep up with new trends that sprout across social media platforms. With trends often dictating the latest, hottest new clothes to wear, foods to eat, music to listen to, and bottles to drink.
As trends come and go, new bottles come and go. The bright Hydro Flasks that could be found on the side of most backpacks in 2019—with many teenage owners being labeled “VSCO Girls”—have yet to be seen in the present day. These bottles that are intended to be a one-time purchase and last until they physically cannot go on any longer often end up stowed away, only to be used when there are no better options. This continuous and frankly unsustainable pattern has been adopted by many teens at NAHS and across the country with the newest editions of the Stanley Tumbler found on every corner. This is not meant to shame others for their purchases, people have the right to buy and use their items however they see fit, but to be conscious and aware of their choices as they evaluate what is the best decision for them and their circumstances.
I would be lying if I said I never succumbed to these trends but I try to wear down my bottle as much as possible before making a new purchase. Bottles were never meant to become a decor piece for cupboards. Stanely’s will eventually come and go, leaving an empty side pocket for a new bottle to fill. When the FOMO begins and the money comes around, keep in mind the reusable bottles that have and can continue to serve the same purpose.
