How To Avoid BPA In Drinking Water | Switch Containers, Skip The Heat

Avoiding BPA in drinking water means switching to unlined stainless steel or glass bottles, filtering tap water, and never heating plastic containers.

You probably already know BPA (bisphenol A) is bad news — an endocrine disruptor linked to hormone issues and found in the plastic linings of cans and polycarbonate bottles. The good news? You don’t need a chemistry degree or a full kitchen overhaul to cut your exposure way down, especially from drinking water. The fix is simple: change what you drink from, stop heating plastic, and pay attention to those little recycling numbers on the bottom.

Which Plastic Bottles Leach BPA (And Which Don’t)

Not all plastics are the same. The number inside the recycling triangle tells you what’s in the material. The one to really watch is #7 — polycarbonate plastic, often labeled “PC” — which can leach BPA into water over time, especially when scratched or warm.

• #7 or PC (polycarbonate) — Contains BPA. Avoid for water bottles or food storage.
• #3 (PVC) — May contain other harmful additives; not recommended for drinking water.
• #1 (PET) — No BPA, but can leach phthalates (another endocrine disruptor) when heated or reused. Avoid reusing single-use bottles.
• #2 (HDPE), #4 (LDPE) — Hard plastics, BPA-free, and generally safer for storage.
• #5 (Polypropylene) — The safest common plastic for water bottles and food containers. Does not contain BPA.

If a bottle has no recycling code or lacks a “BPA-free” label and is marked #3 or #7, skip it. Unlined stainless steel or glass are the safest choices for every day—they have zero plastic liner touching your water.

What To Use Instead For Drinking Water

Replace your plastic bottles with these, and you’ve solved the biggest water-sourced BPA problem overnight.

Unlined stainless steel bottles — The gold standard for drinking water on the go. The inside is bare metal; no plastic liner, no epoxy coating, no BPA. Brands like Hydro Flask and Klean Kanteen use food-grade stainless steel throughout.

Glass bottles with a stainless steel or silicone lid — Also BPA-free and chemically inert. Look for a protective silicone sleeve to prevent breaks. Good for home or car use.

BPA-free labeled plastic (only #5) — If you must use plastic, choose polypropylene (#5) and confirm the “BPA-free” label. Even then, never microwave it or run it through the dishwasher heat cycle—heat degrades the plastic and releases chemicals over time.

Avoid any metal water bottle labeled “lined” or “epoxy-lined” — that lining can contain BPA. Unlined stainless steel is what you want.