Summer is officially here, and it is hot! Many couples offer their guests bottled water with the best of intentions: they see it as an effort to keep their guests comfortable. A number of companies, noting this trend, are now offering “personalized” water bottles, on which couples can have their names and wedding date printed. This seems like a clever idea, but unfortunately, the bad far outweighs the good when it comes to bottled water.

Summer is officially here, and it is hot! Many couples offer their guests bottled water with the best of intentions: they see it as an effort to keep their guests comfortable. A number of companies, noting this trend, are now offering “personalized” water bottles, on which couples can have their names and wedding date printed. This seems like a clever idea, but unfortunately, the bad far outweighs the good when it comes to bottled water.

Quick bottled water facts
According to The Container Recycling Institute, the amount of energy it take to make the 8.25 billion gallons of bottled water Americans drink each year could provide enough electricity for 250,000 homes or could fuel 100,000 cars.

Despite our best efforts, 4 out of 5 bottles end up in the landfill. That means if you have 150 guests and use water bottles as favors, then statistically speaking your wedding will contribute 120 more bottles to the landfill in one short day.

 Image: Pierpaolo Follia

Besides its effects on the environment, bottled water can also be potentially harmful to the drinker. In most parts of the country, bottled water is actually less safe than its counterpart from the tap. The FDA regulates tap water, but most bottled water is not subject to this regulation. One study by the Natural Resources Defense Council found that almost one-third of bottled water contains contaminants, including synthetic chemicals, bacteria, and arsenic.

Earth-friendly and guest-conscious alternatives
You can still help your guests stay cool and hydrated by offering them pitchers of water. It is more elegant, more eco-friendly, and less expensive than bottles. Have your caterer add fresh slices of organic lemon, lime, or cucumber for a fresh summer taste and a pop of color to complement your decor.

Image from The Kitchn

Water isn't the only cold drink you can serve, of course. Iced tea and lemonade, attractively offered on a table with a seasonal flower arrangement, are a delicious and refreshing way to help guests beat the heat.

Image: Louis Joy Photography via Grandparents' Garden: A Family Affair

If none of these options suits your celebration and you decide to serve guests bottled water, lessen the impact by choosing brands that use corn-based plastic, like Belu and Biota, or companies that are giving something back, like Ethos (which donates five cents per bottle to charity). Whichever bottles you select, be sure you assign someone to collect and recycle them after the event.