PB Green

I am so on the fence about this: Pottery Barn's reusable water bottles.

First the positive:   They are well aesthetically designed, a fair price point, and it's great that a store like Pottery Barn is doing something green.

Now the negative: The totally knocked off Sigg, the original makers of the reusable water bottle.

What do we think?   Here's another shot of another design that I think is a bit more less effective:

 

Comments

[Laure]

They ABSOLUTELY knocked off the design of Sigg....but aren't many, many products just different versions of some original out there? These are great looking bottles, but I'm a die-hard Sigg fan. Something tells me that perhaps the interior technology of the bottles may not be as high quality as Sigg, so I will stick with what I know functions perfectly. My other concern is what will happen with all the "copycat" brands that will be sure to follow, if they aren't as high quality as Sigg? They will all end up in the landfill as soon as they fail. Something to think about, perhaps.

[Angel FUnk]

They do look like Sigg knockoffs.

My question would be what are the insides coated with? Even Sigg bottles are under fire for not releasing what the insides of their bottles are coated with. If there is a coating inside that might leach chemicals into the water you're drinking it doesn't seem like the safest option.

[Juli]

Not to mention Kleen Kanteen... which is what we use. http://www.kleankanteen.com/

[Jenn]

Agree with Angel FUnk, above-- my issue with Sigg is that "safe" epoxy lining inside. They're not telling customers what it's made of, so I have my doubts that it's any different than the lining of certain food cans, which leach polycarbonates into our food. It's just a hypothesis, but without the facts to back it up, who knows?
http://tinychoices.com/2008/01/22/water-bottles-again/

[jenni s-g]

If the purpose for PB is to get their customers to start thinking about REUSING rather than buying new and throwing away, then I think they've accomplished that goal.

I don't think PB's goal is to get their customers to think about the toxicity of certain plastics and liners inside aluminum bottles.

I give PB big thumbs up for their effort. It's a step in the right direction even if it might not be perfect. At least they're getting a certain message out--being "green" can also be stylish and affordable.

[sarahbellum]

I have no problem with PB knocking off Sigg. And I think their designs are super cute!

What I do have a problem is that the ring where you put your mouth is very rough and I would never want to that ring to touch my mouth. It looks like it would snag on my lips and, to that, I say no thanks!

[Christine]

I actually got a SIGG knock-off once, not realizing it at the time. The ring that creates the seal is not of the same quality as that of the SIGG bottle and after a few months began to leak on me. I bought a SIGG to replace it, but not wanting to throw the old one out I decided to leave it in the car so I always have a water bottle when I drive somewhere. Atleast I learned my lesson and didn't create more trash in the process.

[Kelliqua]

SIGG just put on a smaller/sippy top and knocked off metal Coleman & Thermos bottles.

Flattery is the best form of compliment, right?

[Kelliqua]

WHAT was that last line? Ba ha!

It should say that "Imitation is the best form of flattery" and SIGG should take it as a compliment.

[LJ]

I agree with some of the earlier comments, yes, it does look like a rip-off of a Sigg bottle, which isn't great, but if it gets a new demographic of folks interested in carrying a reusable water bottle that otherwise might not, then I think it is definitely a positive thing!

[Nicky]

But ultimately, PB doesn't want people to decrease buying. That's why they use a trendy design - so it will be out of style eventually and you'll buy a new one. It's just a marketing ploy. Most companies that "go green" do so not out of concern for the environment - they do it because it's trendy and people will buy it.

[Inna]

I've been having a personal debate about which bottle is best. I started with Nalgenes but canned that because of the plastic leaching chemicals into my water. Then I considered SIGG, but it is made of Aluminum which has been linked to Alzheimer's disease.

I have settled on using Kleen Kanteen since it is stainless steel and is not linked to anything that I know of...yet.

[Jessica]

yep, klean kanteen is the best! i wish they would get some more press.

[Thirst4Green]

Another eco-friendly (and wallet friendly!) water bottle is one by Fit & Fresh that I just purchased. It has a filter so I fill it with tap water from home and work and it tastes just like bottled water – only I’m not wasting any plastic. I just found out that this bottle is also BPA free so there’s more of a reason to keep using it!

Check it out! http://fit-fresh.com/products/livpure/

[Gil]

We purchased six of the Pottery Barn bottles and had to stop using them because they emit a foul smell if water has been left in them for more than 24 hours.
That, coupled with the "Made In China" issue gives us cause for concern.

[Tricia]

Same here. I got all three and don't use them. The coffee mugs aren't that great either. The lids smell. I'm thinking of going glass with the water bottles. Any experience with those, anyone?

Why should any of us care about the brand of the bottle? PB or Sigg -- as long as people are using them and not throwing away one time use water bottles. PB is cheaper than the SIGG bottles, which may or may be reflected in the quality of the bottle, but you get what you pay for. However, the cheaper price might encourage people to purchase a reusable bottle.

[Erika]

I found rust spots on the inside of my Pottery Barn water containers after 2 uses. Does aluminum rust? Stainless steel? What is on the inside of these containers???

[VS]

I purchased a PB drinking bottle and, after a couple of weeks, began worrying about what is inside. In my view, being environmentally friendly involves what is good for our bodies on the inside as well as the outside.