Juice boxes and water bottles dominate the school cafeteria landscape. However, I don’t think any of us are interested in having them dominate the landscape outdoors where they both become more garbage to be disposed of in landfills or even our rivers and oceans.

Juice boxes are typically made up of six layers of paper (24 percent), polyethylene (70 percent), and aluminum foil (6 percent). Because the layering of paper beverage containers cannot be easily separated, they are not recyclable in many communities.

Additionally, the plastic that makes up most water bottles (polyethylene terephthalate) is likely to leach hormone disrupting phthalates.

Purchase a safe, reusable bottle that can safely be used again and again. Healthy for your kids and much better for the environment.

SIGG Kids Reusable Bottles are perfect for lunches and backpacks. They hold .6 liters (20 ounces) and feature a variety of styles including Hello Kitty, ninjas, and other kid-popular fare.

These reusable bottles are unbreakable, dishwasher safe and resistant to taste transference (meaning milk will not taste like the juice that was in it the day before).

In terms of your kid’s health, the SIGG bottle lining is a water-based, non-toxic, non-plastic micro-thin epoxy coating that is baked into the interior walls and remains flexible and crack resistant for the life of the bottle. Due to the finish of the liner, there is much less chance for bacteria build-up than in a plastic container.

In terms of the planet’s health, you’re using less non-returnable plastic and asceptic packaging, creating less trash that would end up in landfills or even our rivers and oceans.

Another great option is Klean Kanteen’s 18-ounce stainless steel reusable bottle. This bottle has an “electropolished finish that seals the surface and prevents minerals from migrating into the contents.”