The media has influenced what we consume for as long as it has been around. As trends are ever changing and always in rotation, products go out of style as quickly as they come in. Because of this, people are often found buying things they definitely do not need. The popularity of reusable water bottles has shifted and evolved throughout the years.

The key word to “reusable water bottle” is reusable. Just because a new water bottle or tumbler is trending at least twice a year, it does not mean you need another one every single time. Every Time you get a new water bottle, it is likely you have retired your old one that works just as it should. This is not only wasteful, but also very selfish if you do not use any other of the water bottles you own because you did not need a new one. I am sure the 5 other water bottles sitting in the back of your kitchen cabinet work just as well as the new ones that have been coming out, if not better. 

In recent years, the Stanley Tumbler has captivated and targeted Generation Z through the media. Behind the aesthetically pleasing presentation, these tumblers are heavy, large, and not spill proof.  Freshman Nenock Nebiyu, who prefers using a small 16 ounce water bottle, thinks that the Stanley Tumblers are very unconventional for everyday use.

“I don’t know why people pay so much for a cup that spills and is big and clunky,” Nebiyu said.

I can not stand the fact this generation would rather carry around literal buckets of water that spill every which way you move them. Sure the Stanley tumbler fits in your cup holder, but so does every single water bottle under 25 ounces. Companies know that we as consumers are in an age of overconsumption and are willing to hop on every trending item, so they use it to their advantage. By releasing new colors and styles while labeling them as limited edition or associating products with celebrities, brands such as Stanley, Hydro Flask, and Owala are able to market their water bottles to fit current trends. In addition, these popular metal water bottles range from $30 – $50 which is absolutely absurd for a water bottle.

Water is an everyday necessity for life and making it easy to have on you at all times is the most important thing. Spending $30 – $50 on something to hold water is ridiculous especially if it does not hold every single drop of water poured into it. There are many factors that play a role in the production cost of stainless steel water bottles, but on average they cost anywhere from $2.15 – $3.95 to make. For years, Stanley was comfortable with a $70M yearly revenue, but last year in 2023 that number shot up to $15.781B. 

Freshman Tia Macdonald adores her Hydro Flask water bottle because it is leakproof, only 20 ounces and affordable, making it easy to have water on her at all times.

“I love that it’s always just there when I need it because at the end of the day, all that matters is that I have water when I need it,” Macdonald said. “It’s not that hard to think about because it fits in my backpack and I don’t have to worry about it spilling all over the place.”

As the girl behind you at the water fountain in elementary school has said before, “One, two, that’s enough for you.”  Two water bottles, both airtight, easy to clean, and able to keep your drinks hot/cold, should be all you need. As one is in the dishwasher, you have another on rotation. It is as simple as that to save money and save the environment.