You can bring your own bottles to our dispenser for filling up, but if you need to purchase bottles, you can find them next to the dispenser at the store, or you can purchase them online.
Due to the concern over the presence of BPA (Bisphenol A) in some plastic bottles, we also stock bottles made from glass, polyethylene, P.E.T., Tritan Petralyte, and stainless steel to provide alternative choices. There is no perfect water container. Each bottle material has its benefits and its limitations. Here are some facts to consider ...
Polycarbonate Bottles
They may leach BPA into the water if exposed to extreme temperatures; but they do not impart any plastic taste or odor to the water. They are strong enough to hold the vacuum created when inverted on a cooler or crock. You won’t get injured if you drop it and it doesn’t add much to the weight of a filled bottle. Polycarbonate bottles can be identified with the recycle number 7 on the bottom of the bottle.
BPA free polycarbonate bottles are made from Tritan Petralyte. They have a recycle number 7 but are also clearly labled as BPA free. This plastic does not impart any taste or odor to the water and it is strong enough to hold its shape when inverted on a cooler or crock. However, it is not as impact resistant as the standard polycarbonate with BPA. These bottles are an excellent alternative but you need to handle them with care to avoid them breaking.
Polyethylene Bottles
They are BPA free, impact resistant and light-weight. But when new, sometimes can impart a plastic taste and odor to the water. We suggest allowing a new bottle to air out with the cap off for a few days before use. When inverted on a crock or cooler, they have been known to collapse due to the vacuum pressure. Polyethylene bottles can be identified with the recycle number 2 on the bottom of the bottle.
P.E.T. Bottles
They are BPA free, light-weight but delicate. They don’t impart a plastic taste or odor to the water. This material tends to scratch easily and it can lose its shape if exposed to high temperatures. Don’t leave these bottles in a hot car, or expose them to boiling water. P.E.T. bottes can be identified with the recycle number 1 on the bottom of the bottle. P.E.T. bottles with thin walls are not very impact resistant - handle them with care.
Glass Bottles
They are BPA free, and don’t impart any taste to the water. They are strong enough to withstand the vacuum pressure when inverted on a cooler or crock. However, they add considerable weight to bottled water and are not at all forgiving if bumped or dropped. Glass can break and can cause serious injury. If you are the first customer in the store in the morning, the water from the dispenser will be very hot from sitting next to the UV lamp over night. If your bottle is very cold (this can happen in the winter), it will shatter when exposed to the hot water. Please be careful when using glass bottles.
Stainless Steel Bottles
They are BPA free and don’t impart any taste to the water. They are costly to make and consequently are only available in smaller sizes.