While traveling to Ramblers—or anywhere else—the best thing you can do to protect the environment is to carry your own reusable bottle. It’s easy and more affordable than buying disposable water bottles, and it ensures you always have water on hand in our dry, high-altitude climate. Still not convinced? Read on!

If you’re buying disposable water bottles, you’re contributing to some pretty significant pollution. 

• The entire life cycle of bottled water uses fossil fuels, contributes to global warming, and causes pollution.
• More than 17 million barrels of oil are required to produce enough plastic water bottles to meet America’s annual demand for bottled water. 
• 86% of plastic water bottles used in the United States become garbage or litter.

Should we talk dollars? 

• Bottled water is about 3,000% more expensive per gallon than tap water.
• Tap water: $0.02 per gallon
• Bottled water: $0.64 per gallon

 We have some pretty great water in Utah. Nonetheless, let’s dispel the myth that bottled water is purer than tap water.

• Bottled water generally is no cleaner, safer, or healthier than tap water. In fact, the federal government requires far more rigorous and frequent safety testing and monitoring of municipal drinking water.

Convinced now? If so, how do you best travel with a reusable water bottle?

When you’re at a restaurant, ask the server to fill your bottle. He or she will be happy to do it! Look for water at coffee shops or from soda fountains, which always pour free water. Staying in a vacation home? Try the tap! We bet it’s delicious. Staying in a hotel? Most have great water available from a fountain. Or, you can ask the front desk where they would recommend filling up a bottle. 

Before you know it, you’ll get into the habit of looking for great places to fill your bottle to ensure you have water throughout the day.