Wide Mouth Water Bottle

Name: Wide Mouth Water Bottle
Brand: Nalgene

PFR Grade

Fair — some plastic content or limited transparency

Nalgene is BPA-free but uses Tritan plastic (copolyester) which may leach BPA substitutes. The 'BPA-free' claim does not mean chemical-free. Studies have found estrogenic activity in BPA-free plastics.

PFR Caution

Wide mouth plastic water bottle made from Tritan BPA-free plastic. One of the most popular reusable water bottles.

Score Breakdown

How scores are calculated

Materials (40%): How plastic-free the product is — raw materials, construction, and coatings.

Packaging (20%): Is the product packaged in plastic? Is it recyclable?

Transparency (20%): Does the brand disclose ingredients, sourcing, and manufacturing?

Durability (20%): How long does it last? Longer-lasting products reduce plastic waste over time.

Materials

Packaging

Transparency

Durability

$15See Safer Alternatives in Water

This is a rating of this specific product only — not the company. Other products from this brand may score differently.

Last updated: April 5, 2026

Share:X / Twitter Facebook

High Exposure Risk — Why This Product Category Matters

Tap water in the US contains detectable PFAS in over 45% of systems tested by the USGS. Plastic water bottles leach BPA, BPS, and microplastics — especially when heated. The average American gets a significant portion of their total plastic exposure from drinking water and beverage containers.

Synthetic Plastic Content

100%

synthetic plastic by weight

Why We Rated It This Way

Nalgene's BPA-free Tritan plastic is better than older BPA-containing plastic, but 'BPA-free' is not the same as 'chemical-free.' Studies have found that BPA substitutes like BPS and BPF have similar endocrine-disrupting effects. Glass or stainless steel are safer choices.

Chemical & Health Analysis

Each chemical of concern is broken down below — what it is, where it comes from in this product, what it does to the body, and who is most at risk.

Contains:Tritan copolyester (BPA-free but may contain BPS/BPF)

BPA

Source

BPA substitute chemicals in Tritan plastic

Health Risk

BPA substitutes may have similar estrogenic activity to BPA itself

Who Is Most At RiskEveryone using plastic water bottles daily

Peer-Reviewed Sources

All health claims are based on published, peer-reviewed research from the NIH, WHO, IARC, and peer-reviewed journals. This information is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice.