Plastic has a bad reputation: it is made of petroleum and you find it as litter. Yet it is not necessarily the enemy - it is a convenient packaging material and alternatives are not always better either. What makes us less happy are the harmful substances in plastic such as plasticisers. And that gave us the idea to look for alternatives to plastic drinking cups and lunch boxes. We ended up with stainless steel, or SS. And so we made a list of fine stainless steel drinking bottles and cups from Dutch and Belgian companies with a sustainable mission.
What exactly is stainless steel a material?
Before we praise stainless steel to the skies, it is good to know a little more about this material. Stainless steel is a mixture of different metals, also called an alloy. It consists of iron, chromium, nickel and carbon and is known for its strength and rust resistance. Although stainless steel is reusable and fully recyclable, its production requires a lot of energy and raw materials. Mining metals, such as nickel and chromium, damages natural areas and emits a lot of CO2. In addition, mining and production can release harmful, toxic substances.
Remember: a stainless steel water bottle is something you choose for life
According to research by the Consumers' Association, a stainless steel bottle must be used for more than 36 years to be equivalent to a reusable plastic bottle in terms of environmental impact. For double-walled stainless steel bottles - you know, the ones that keep your drinks hot or cold - this even runs to more than 70 years. This makes one thing clear: if you choose stainless steel, you have to use it a lot and for a long time in order for it to really be a more sustainable choice. A big advantage of stainless steel is that it does not contain harmful substances such as plasticisers, which are present in some plastic products. We previously wrote an article on plasticisers. Moreover, stainless steel does not retain odours and flavours and is resistant to heat, allowing you to enjoy both your ice-cold smoothie and your steaming cup of tea carefree.
The nicest stainless steel drinking bottles and cups
We dove into our kitchen cupboard AND scoured the internet in search of the most beautiful and sustainable stainless steel drinking cups and bottles. These are our favourites! We also tell you what we could find about these companies in terms of sustainability. All examples mentioned are Dutch or Belgian entrepreneurial stories.
Strict rules for drinking cups in Europe
In Europe, strict rules apply to materials that come into contact with food and beverages. The REACH regulation (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) determines which chemicals are allowed, and European Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 sets additional requirements for plastics used for food and drink products. This strictly regulates harmful substances, such as certain plasticisers. Even if European companies have their drinking cups produced outside the EU, they must ensure that they comply with European legislation. Yet there are manufacturers outside Europe that do not have to adhere to such strict standards. Some cheap drinking cups offered through international online shops may therefore not be able to meet European safety standards. Want to be sure you are making a safe choice? Then look out for labels and certifications such as BPA-free or REACH-certified and buy it from a European brand. Let's find out just that for you.
Klean Kanteen stainless steel drinking bottle
This stainless steel drinking bottle is the classic among stainless steel drinking cups and drinking bottles. Extra sustainable: it is made of 90% recycled stainless steel. What makes this bottle so nice? The sports cap! This handy spout - similar to a water bottle - makes it easy to drink while exercising. The cap is made of plastic and silicone, but is BPA-free (of course). Rinse it by hand and it will keep longer, as we now know. Klean Kanteen is a Belgian family company with a sustainable mission. They are a B Corp, which means they meet strict environmental and social responsibility requirements. In addition, they are affiliated to 1% for the Planet, which means they donate 1% of their sales to charities. As icing on the cake, they are also Climate Neutral Certified, which means they offset their carbon emissions. A bottle you will enjoy drinking from!
Mepal Ellipse stainless steel drinking cup
This Ellipse insulated bottle comes from Mepal, a very Dutch company that has been around for more than 70 years and is known for its handy kitchen utensils and kitchen storage devices. Nice detail: these bottles are simply made in the Netherlands! Why do we like them so much? They keep your drink hot or cold for hours and are available in three sizes: 350 ml for the school bag, 500 ml for travelling or while exercising and 900 ml for family outings, holidays or long days away from home. Depending on the content, your drink will stay hot for up to 12 hours or cold for 24 hours. The cap is plastic, but obviously BPA-free. Mepal is B Corp-certified, scoring high on social commitment thanks to their partnership with a sheltered workshop and their local production.
Dopper Steel stainless steel drinking bottle
Dopper, you know, that famous plastic drinking bottle, also comes in stainless steel! The big advantage, besides keeping plasticisers out, is that this thermos bottle - also made of 90% recycled steel - keeps your drinks hot for 9 hours and cold for 24 hours. Handy: the stainless steel bottle also has the clever design where the cap doubles as a cup at the same time. Dopper is a Dutch company with a clear mission: less plastic in the ocean and free drinking water for everyone. They are B Corp- and Cradle to Cradle certified, carbon neutral and also affiliated with 1% for the Planet. Their production process is as transparent and sustainable as possible, although the cap and top are plastic, obviously BPA-free. So keep this out of the dishwasher. This Dopper is also available in different sizes. Personally, we find the golden an eye-catcher!
Stainless steel thermos cup from Brabantia
Enjoy your hot or cold beverage anywhere with the Brabantia Make & Take Coffee Cup To Go. This insulated mug will keep your coffee hot for up to six hours and your iced tea cold for up to eight hours. It comes in different sizes and with lids in various colours. The cap is made of BPA-free plastic and the clever snap-on lid lets you drink easily with one hand. Thanks to the 100% leak-proof closure, you take it with you carefree. Moreover, it fits exactly in the side pocket of your backpack or the cup holder of your car. Why Brabantia fits on the greener list? This Dutch family-run company has been around for more than a hundred years, is a B Corp and produces some of its products Cradle to Cradle-certified. On average, their range consists of 55% recycled materials.
Bambaw stainless steel drinking bottle
Bambaw offers two types of stainless steel drinking bottles: non-insulated and a thermos variant. The insulated bottle keeps drinks hot for up to 12 hours and cold for 24 hours - ideal for travelling. Both versions are available in 350 ml, 500 ml, 750 ml and 1 litre. So plenty of choice! What makes these bottles extra nice is the wide opening, which makes it easy to add ice cubes or fruit and clean them easily. Bambaw is also the only find that is completely plastic-free. The cap is a combination of stainless steel and bamboo, with a silicone ring for a leak-proof seal. Bambaw is a Belgian company founded by two brothers with a clear zero waste mission: less disposable plastic.
Your cutest stainless steel drinking cups?
Hopefully we've helped you get started with these tips! Do you have a favourite stainless steel drinking cup or a cup/bottle made of another sustainable material that you are totally happy with? Let us know about it! You can find the contact buttons below. Ooh, andne... find the list of the cutest stainless steel lunch boxes here, because we figured that out for you.
More sustainable tips from thegreenlist.nl
- Also see: the truth about plastic packaging.
- Also see: ten tips for a plastic diet.
- Also see: This hamam towel from Zeeman is truly circular.
Sources: consumerbond.nl, radar.avrotros.nl, antidote.nl, WHERE IS IT.nl, central government.nl, eumonitor.nl. Photo credit: main image: Tima Miroshnichenko (Pexels), other: the brands mentioned.
