At Eldorado , we are huge proponents of staying hydrated and healthy. In order to keep informed on the latest and greatest health advancements, we are constantly conducting research and seeking out information that could affect our product, and most importantly, affect you. We’ve recently received a few questions about our bottle types in regard to BPA. Here’s a quick explanation of what BPA is, as well as the reasoning behind the packaging options we have available.
Bisphenol A (BPA) is an industrial chemical that has been used to harden plastics since the 1960s. It can be found in anything from water bottles and canned food, to dental sealants and medical devices. Recent studies have shown that BPA can be ingested when consuming foods or liquids that have been packaged with BPA. It is also possible to pick up BPA through the air, dust, or water.
In the past 10 years, controversy has arisen as to whether or not BPA can be harmful to our bodies. At this moment, about 90% of us have BPA in our bodies. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, along with other trustworthy groups such as the World Health Organization, have worked tirelessly to conduct extensive research on the chemical but their results are still very much inconclusive. They have, however, released regulatory standards. The FDA maintains that, at the current low levels, BPA does not pose a risk to humans.
At Eldorado Spring Water, we rely on these trusted organizations and our packaging reflects their scientific findings. We currently use 4 different types of bottle packages, each listed below. We welcome you to view them and weigh the pros and cons when determining which product you would like to order.
- Polycarbonate (PC): Plastic code #7. PC is known for its durability and clarity. It has visual appeal and is not as dangerous or likely to break as Glass. Unlike PET, PC is also less likely to have leaks. Its downfalls are the presence of BPA and that it costs more than PET. We still manufacture bottles using PC but be sure to let us know if you would like to receive BPA free bottles and we will note this on your account!
- Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET): Being palstic code #1, this bottle is BPA free, lightweight, and fairly durable. It is also not as dangerous or likely to break as Glass. Its disadvantages are that it’s more prone to leaking water and is not as aesthetically pleasing as PC or Glass. It also contains Phthalates, another plastic additive that has not yet been regulated but continues to be studied. Currently, we have PET bottles available in 5 gallons and our smaller case products-- 1.5 liters, 1.0 liters, 24 ounce and 0.5 liters. And, the 1.0 liters, 24 ounce and 0.5 liters are all made from environmentally friendly 100% Post Consumer Recycled PET (rPET).
- High-density Polyethylene (HDPE): Plastic code #2. Most plastics made with HDPE are BPA free and are the most inexpensive in comparison to other bottle types. They have the highest recycle rates, making them one of the best choices when it comes to the environment. The downfalls are that it is opaque, making HDPE less visually appealing than its competitors. It also has a tendency to impart taste and odor of plastic if stored in warm places. We currently offer HDPE packaging for our 1- gallon jugs.
- Glass: Glass has always been the best choice for water because it does not impart flavor nor does it contain BPA. However, the decline of glass production in the United States has hampered supply and therefore the cost is now extremely high. Additionally, importing glass from other parts of the world poses problems when it comes to varying regulations in its country of origin. We presently purchase our glass bottles from Italy, even though they cost us twice as much as what we would pay for bottles manufactured in China. The most negative consequence of glass occurs when it breaks, as the chards become extremely dangerous. We currently offer glass packaging for our 3-gallon size.
Our Company has been in business for over 30 years. During that time we have had the opportunity to familiarize ourselves with many other companys’ operations. Of all of the other companies we have examined, Eldorado can state, without hesitation, that we commit more resources to our packaging and Quality Control than any other company of similar size—and a greater percentage of resources than even the largest water operations in the country. We know that trust is one of the most important factors when it comes to you selecting a bottled water company and we want to be completely transparent with our views on bottle packaging. We hope that this post has clarified any concerns you may have had and we welcome you to give us a shout if you have any further questions.
Editor's note: This post was originally published in February of 2016 and has been updated since.
