Good sleuthing, Umbra, but there's a glaring omission from this post and the one on sippy cups: GLASS!

People could just use glass containers that they've bought drinks in that have the screw-on cap.  I don't know how harmful the cap is, but the glass obviously doesn't leach.

I've used Fuze and Bionaturae bottles for my water, before my roommates accidentally recycled them.

Give glass a try and that way you're not only NOT getting bisphenol-A, but you're also doing one of the 3 Rs: reusing!

I'm generally happy to see any clarification within this whole category of myths we live by. After today's article, though, I was less sure of some things I've learned in the not-so-distant past.

First, I was thrown by the parenthetical, "I should note that Nalgene makes bottles from other, less-yucky types of plastic."  I, and I'm sure many other daily Grist readers, read this to mean that ubiquitous brightly colored bottles aren't bisphenol-A leaching afterall. Only when I followed the link did it appear that they are. I have an ancient #2 Nalgene bottle, but haven't seen one like it in a store for years.

2nd, "The only thing we know for sure about your particular polycarbonate bottle is that you are going to chuck it into the recycling bin and find a new water-carrying device."  This confuses me since as far as I know polycarbonate plastic isn't generally recycled--or more precisely, "downcycled," as nicely clarified in the Nalgene-related link.

In that column, "Nalgene Therapy" 1/10/05, you noted, "I wouldn't seek out #1 for those plastic-necessitating moments -- #2, #4, and #5 are better."  I'm not clear on why this is so. The little "recycling" symbol is deceptive since it classifies type and not recyclability. Many products with a #2, for example yogurt containers, aren't "recyclable" like their milk bottle cousins because hardening agents and/or dyes have been added.

So, here's the question for you, coming from someone who no longer feels so secure in his knowledge of recycling (beyond that it comes in third, after reduce and reuse):  What actually becomes of the millions of tons of #s 1, 2, 4, and 5 we dutifully chuck into "recycle" bins everyday?

I give Glass another Thumbs up.
That's what I use.

But what I think is even more pressing than containers (Cause glass bottles are easy to come by) is the matter of Filters for water.

Do they make ones that aren't platic?

The reason aluminum cans are lined is because the water used in processing usually is fluoridated and will leach aluminum from the can and form aluminum-fluoride complexes. The EPA nominated Aluminum-fluoride to be studied for neurotoxicity and other effects, and in the references for the nomination it was noted about the leaching and forming complexes.
 I use glass as much as possible and enamel or steel is good, but as far as filters go, they will not remove fluorides, only reverse osmosis will and is expensive. I buy Zephyrhills Spring Water that is high in calcium and magnesium that will, in high levels form insoluble complexes with the fluorides. Calcium gluconate is the antidote for fluoride poisoning.

Holy crap, good point TheSSG.  I was actually thinking of buying a new showerhead when I find a new place to live that both adds air to the water (uses less water) as well as filters.  I guess that's something to think about since when was the last time anyone saw any filters for drinking water or shower water that utilizes anything but plastic?

Yikes. I'm gonna Goodsearch and check that out.

If I find anything or not, I'll post again.

Kim

...in regards to non-plastic water filters.