Natural Hydration Council
Natural Hydration Council
You ought to drink more water
Hydration
PET PLASTIC
and
ExErcisE
WATER
BOTTLES
If you are starting to feel inspired to participate in
PET plastic is the main packaging
sporting
it is drinks.
important
to remember
to
materialactivities,
used for soft
In the
UK,
1
keep
well95%
hydrated.
This water
is especially
the case during
almost
of bottled
found on
supermarket
shelvesand
is packaged
in PET
the
summer months
in warm environments,
for
plastic, with
the remainder
being sold
in
example
in hotter
climates, poorly
ventilated
gyms or
glass
or
cans.
sports halls.
This fact sheet looks at why PET is used
for containing
naturally
sourced
Drinking
water before,
during
andwater
after exercise helps
as
well
as
addressing
a
few
common
us to work out more efficiently and for longer, and
misunderstandings about it.
while sports drinks have a role to play, particularly
for elite level endurance athletes, they are often used
This factsheet explains why staying well hydrated
inappropriately by the rest of us as recreational drinks,
PET stands for Polyethylene Terephthalate. It is
which adds unnecessary calorific intake to our diet.
one of the safest plastics for storing soft drinks
and has a number of attributes that make it
perfect for bottled water:
is important for active individuals and how this
3 PET BOT TLES ARE 100% RECYCL ABLE
can be best achieved.
PET bottles are 100%
recyclable and almost all
local authorities in the
100%
UK accept plastic bottles
as part of the household
2
collection
scheme
Recent studies have shown
that for
people. Where
carrying
domass,
not i.e.
out prolonged exercise alocal
2% authorities
loss of body
collect
plastics,
the
bottles
can
be
taken
to
local
1.4kg for a 70kg adult, can result in around aa20%
household waste and recycling centre. They can
decrease in performance levels in temperate climate
also be recycled in recycling bins in town centres
and up to a 40% decrease in hot temperatures3.
and shopping centres.
WHy is Hydration important?
1 PET BOT TLES ARE ROBUST
Physical
cognitive
performance
can suffer when
PET and
is a strong
plastic
which is virtually
we are
poorly hydrated,
especially
in hot,
unbreakable
and does
not shatter
if ithumid
does
happenortowhen
break.
conditions
exercise is prolonged1. Some of
the side-effects
with a poor
hydration
status
This makeslinked
it an excellent
choice
for bottled
water
as it include:
is completely safe for carrying
during
exercise
whilst you are on-the-go or participating in
risk of heat
illness
activities.
▲sporting
3
The latest survey results from Recoup showed
An easy way to monitor changes
that in 2012, over half (58%) of plastic bottles
▲ heart rate
in hydration
status
is to check
thethe household
(mainly PET
or HDPE)
entering
2 PET BOT TLES ARE LIGHT WEIGHT
4
. It should
be
colour
of were
your urine
waste
collected
for recycling.
In
▲ feelings of effort
Bottled water producers are constantly working pale
straw
colour,
anything
darker
comparison, 37% of ridged plastic packaging and
performance
▼to ‘lightweight’
their bottles to ensure the
forfluid
pots,istubs
and trays were collected for
and19%
more
needed.
mentalamount
function of plastic is used and the bottle
▼minimal
recycling during the same period.
is easy
to
carry
when
you
are
out-and-about.
▼ ability to regulate body temperature
In 2013, the Natural Hydration Council (NHC)
1 Zenith International, UK Bottled Water Report, April 2014
development
of headaches,
nausea
▼surveyed
its members
and
found out they have
2 Recoup UK Household Plastics Collection Survey, 2013
3 Recoup UK Household Plastics Collection Survey, 2013
reduced the amount of plastic in their bottles by
2
Source:
from
Maughan
al. (2007)
anAdapted
average
of 12%
sinceet2008.
PET Plastic Water Bottles June 2014
Hydration and Exercise Feb 2013
5 PET BOT TLES ARE TR ANSPARENT
4PET BOT TLES PROTECT THE QUALIT Y
OF NATUR ALLY SOURCED WATER
PET allows for the
content of the bottle to
remain visible, letting
people see the quality
product inside the
container. This is clearly
why it is great for
bottled water!
Over 90% of bottled water sold in this country
4
is either natural mineral or spring water . These
naturally sourced waters are perfectly drinkable
from source, meaning they don’t need any
chemical treatment. The water comes from a
protected underground source and is bottled.
The PET container ensures the water is carefully
safeguarded right up until you drink it.
4 Zenith International, UK Bottled Water Report, April 2014
‘WATER’ LOT OF CONFUSION!
MY TH: DRINKING BOT TLED WATER THAT’S
BEEN LEFT IN A CAR CAN GIVE YOU CANCER
There are a number of misunderstandings about
PET plastic and bottled water. PET is completely
safe and complies with all European and national
legal requirements. Here are some common myths
explained:
Fact: There are no carcinogens in PET plastic.
It is a myth that plastic water bottles left in cars
will leach carcinogens into the water. A health scare
began in 2002 when a Japanese television programme
broadcast a theory that plastic water bottles were
unsafe. These claims have since been discredited by
†
Cancer Research UK .
MY TH: FREEZING PL ASTIC WATER BOT TLES
CAN RELEASE CANCER CAUSING CHEMICALS
INTO THE WATER WHEN IT DEFROSTS
Fact: There are no carcinogens in PET plastic.
Again, this is a health scare which was started by the
Japanese television programme which led to a group
of hoax emails that have been doing the rounds online
and have been discredited by Cancer Research UK.
MY TH: THERE IS BISPHENOL A ( BPA)
IN PL ASTIC WATER BOT TLES
MY TH: PL ASTIC WATER BOT TLES
CAN’T BE RECYCLED
Fact: There is no BPA in PET plastic.
You can check whether a plastic container is BPA free,
as plastic containers are marked with recycle codes.
Any plastics with recycle code 1,2,4,5 or 6 are BPA free.
PET plastic is recycle code 1. Some, but not all, plastics
that are marked with recycle codes 3 or 7 may be made
with BPA.
Fact: PET water bottles are 100% recyclable.
All bottled water found on supermarket shelves can be
recycled. This includes the cap and label. For more information
about plastic bottle recycling visit recyclenow.com
†
Source: www.cancerresearchuk.org/cancer-info/
healthyliving/cancercontroversies/Plasticbottles/
PET Plastic Water Bottles June 2014
‘WATER’ LOT OF CONFUSION!
continued
MY TH: ALL BOT TLED WATER IS JUST TAP
WATER IN A BOT TLE
Fact: Over 90% of bottled water sold in this country is
either natural mineral or spring water*.
Both natural mineral water and spring water must:
• Originate from a natural, protected and specific
underground source
• Be bottled at source
• Be microbiologically safe to drink without
treatment
“Bottled drinking water”, sometimes known as
“Table Water” or “Purified water”, is drinking water
which is bottled and is neither spring water nor
natural mineral water. It can come from a variety of
†
sources, including municipal supplies .
†
Source: The Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water
and Bottled Drinking Water Regulations 2007
ABOUT THE NHC
The Natural Hydration Council is a not for
profit organisation dedicated to researching
the science and communicating the facts about
healthy hydration.
Founded in 2008, the organisation is guided by
a Scientific Panel to help them communicate
how good hydration habits can positively
impact the nation’s health.
Their eight members; Brecon Carreg Natural
Mineral Water, Danone Waters (UK & Ireland)
Ltd, Highland Spring Group, Iceni Waters,
Nestlé Waters UK, Ty Nant, Water Brands
Group and Wenlock Spring, are all producers
of naturally sourced bottled water and
represent approximately 50% of the UK
bottled water industry*.
* Source: Zenith International UK Bottled Water Report, April 2014
Natural Hydration Council
FURTHER INFORMATION
Natural Hydration Council
Natural Hydration
Council
You ought to drink more water
Studio 3, 5–11 Westbourne Grove
London W2 4UA
www.naturalhydrationcouncil.org.uk
If you are starting to feel inspired to participate in
sporting activities, it is important to remember to
keep well hydrated. This is especially the case during
Hydration
and ExErcisE
PET Plastic Water Bottles June 2014