Re-posting closer to the top, as this is an important issue for everybody.

There has been a lot of discussion about the safety of different kinds of plastic water bottles and other containers.

Even though the plastics industry has published a great many disclaimers, and even if I believed all of them, there is still the indisputable fact that water from refillable (even super-clean) plastic water bottles does have a "funny" taste. As a matter of fact all kinds of harmful chemical are used in the production of plastic bottles. Many of them leach out and poison our bodies and billions of bottles get thrown out every day.

Considering that, I few years ago I decided to get a water filter and a few 3/4-liter SIGG aluminium water bottles. They are almost indestructible and coated inside with an impervious - to almost anything coating, which does not leach chemicals. Yes, they are more expensive than plastic, but will also last for decades. Having a dented, but perfectly functional water bottle is a badge of honor of sorts, I guess...

Non-toxic, baked-on inner lining is certified by an independent institute (Nehring, Germany) and exceeds FDA requirements. Water-based, not petroleum (plastic).

Although SIGG is not a sponsor of this website, I am a firm believer in their products.

In addition to the health reasons against using plastic containers, every year about 1.5 million tons of plastic go into manufacturing water bottles for the global market, using processes that release toxics such as nickel, ethyl benzene, ethylene oxide and benzene.

In the U.S. alone 1.5 million barrels of oil are consumed in making the bottles. Add to this the transportation, distribution and...price and you have a perfect reason to stop buying water in those stupid, little, plastic bottles.

With SIGG you get exacting Swiss design, quality and engineering. Seamless construction extruded from a single piece of pure (99.5%) aluminum makes SIGG bottles virtually indestructible.

As plastic degrades through aging and wear & tear of washing, leaching of potentially harmful chemicals increases. Isn't it time to replace your old water bottles?