FAQ About SIGG Bottles
Is using a reusable water bottle good for the environment?
Yes, of course, for several reasons:
- Most disposable water bottles (e.g. – Evian, Dasani, Aquafina, etc.) are made of PET plastic. According to the American Recycling Institute, only 14% of these bottles are recycled. Most of the PET bottles end up in litter or trash where they can take up to 1,000 years to biodegrade, filling our landfills and injuring wildlife.
- Americans are currently adding 30 million PET water bottles to our nation's landfills – everyday!
- Even if PET bottles are sent to the recycling center, they are really being "down-cycled", converted to a lower form of plastic, much of which goes unused.
- PET is a petroleum-based plastic. Manufacturing and transporting bottled water (especially from distant countries such as France and Fiji) unnecessarily burns fossil fuels – approximately 1.5 million barrels per year according to the NRD
Does using a reusable water bottle make sense financially?
Yes, dollars and sense! The American EPA [ Environmental Protection Agency] strictly regulates the quality of tap water and according to the NRDC, bottled water is neither purer nor safer than tap water in most communities. In fact, many of the leading bottled water brands (Aquafina, Dasani, etc.) are sourced from municipal tap water. Assuming you drink 1 liter per day, you'd spend $500-$1,000 in bottled water a year. Many SIGG bottles are still being used 10-20 years after they are purchased – so you get good bang for your buck! Consider a home water purification system and a SIGG to save money – and the Earth.
Why should I spend $15-$20 on a SIGG when I could buy a $10 Lexan plastic bottle?
Obviously, it's your call. Many people are satisfied with a Lexan plastic bottle (like a Nalgene). We feel there are some distinct advantages to a SIGG, both in function and in fashion:
- Weight – typically, SIGG bottles are 10-20% lighter-weight than Lexan, allowing you to lighten that load a bit in your backpack.
- Great Taste – SIGGs are truly taste neutral. Lexan brands may claim this but go ahead and put them to the test. Leave your filled plastic bottle out in the sun for a couple hours and see how your water tastes the next day – a bit like plastic we've been told.
- Durability – Check out Backpacker magazine's June 2006 issue where SIGG was put to the test against all the leading water bottle brands. When the smoke from the 100 pound cannon cleared, Backpacker declared SIGG "The World's Toughest Water Bottle”.
- Style – SIGG's have been described as "works of art". For the extra few dollars, why not express yourself?
I have heard stories about the safety of aluminum. Should I be concerned about drinking from an aluminum SIGG bottle?
No, not at all. SIGG bottles have been thoroughly tested both in Europe and in the USA to ensure 0.0% leaching – so absolutely no migration of either the liner or the container into the beverage. Having been in this business for nearly 100 years, you can trust SIGG Switzerland to produce products of the highest quality and safety standards in the world.
"According to the results of our evaluation, use of a SIGG bottle does not add to the beverage any particles and/or components which are harmful to human health."
- Dr. Ulrich Nehring, European Institute Nehring
Is the paint on the SIGG bottles safe?
On October 4th, the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission announced the recall of thousands of aluminum water bottles manufactured in China. The Commission took this action because these Chinese-made water bottles (deceptively branded as “Alpine Design”) contained excessive amounts of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard. Since then, a few consumers have contacted SIGG Switzerland to ensure the safety of SIGG water bottles. I am pleased to report that SIGG Switzerland utilizes only foodgrade, 100% safe paint in the manufacturing of our water bottles.
SIGG bottles absolutely do not contain any of the following harmful ingredients: antimony, arsenic, soluble barium, lead, cadmium, mercury and selenium. The paints used to decorate SIGG products are completely safe and in compliance with ASTM F963-2007. As products like SIGG gain national media attention and increased sales, it's very typical that lower priced, lower quality imitations hit the market. To assure that you are getting the finest quality and safest water bottle on the market, our best advice for consumers is: Look for the SIGG brand name!
Since 1908, SIGG Switzerland has been manufacturing the highest quality water bottles in the world. SIGG and “Swiss Made” are synonymous with superb craftsmanship, world-class design and a never-ending attention to product quality & safety. You can count on SIGG.
Do all metal water bottles use a liner?
Some stainless steel bottles do not require a liner. In the past, there had been some low-priced, low-quality aluminum bottles manufactured in Asia and distributed in Europe and parts of the USA which did not use a quality liner. We recommend you look for the SIGG logo to ensure you are getting the best bottle on the planet, backed by 100 years of Swiss engineering.
What exactly is the SIGG liner made of?
SIGG has perfected the formula of its proprietary inner liner over decades of scientific research and Swiss engineering. The ingredients (like the formula for Coca-Cola) remain secret and unavailable to 3rd parties so as to ensure SIGG retains its competitive advantage. The key of course is that the SIGG liner is FDA approved and independently tested to be taste and scent inert – and resistant to any leaching (0.0%) so 100% safe.
Can dents in the bottle damage the SIGG bottle's inner coating?
No, the SIGG inner coating is highly elastic. Dents cannot crack or chip the internal lining and the SIGG bottle remains perfectly usable. In fact, many hikers and climbers consider the dents in their SIGG to be badges of honor, illustrating their toughness as well as the bottle's.
Can I fill SIGG bottles with apple juice?
Yes. The inner coating has been tested with various drinks, highly acidic fruit juices in particular. The SIGG bottle passes this test with flying colors. Tip: drink apple juice within 12 hours of filling the bottle. Heat and oxygen may initiate a fermentation process, which by the way is natural and can take place in any bottle, regardless of material.
Can I use my SIGG bottle for carbonated drinks, too?
Yes, of course. All SIGG bottle tops provide a 100% seal and will not leak. Tip: fill the bottle no further than 1/2 inch below the lip. And before taking a drink, relieve the pressure inside the bottle by gently rotating the entire top.
Are SIGGs dishwasher safe?
The Swiss recommend washing your SIGG bottle by hand. They advise against using a dishwasher primarily because the SIGG opening is rather narrow and a dishwasher stream may not reach all the way to the bottom of the bottle for thorough cleaning. Additionally, continued washing of a SIGG in a dishwasher may in time cause the exterior paint coating to fade. The dishwasher will not cause any damage to the inner liner of the SIGG bottle, but it can cause drying of the leak proof gaskets.
Can I use my SIGG bottle for consuming alcohol?
Yes, if you are over the legal drinking age. The SIGG bottle and liner is built to handle any consumable beverage. However, do not store alcohol in your SIGG. Especially in a hot environment, a fermentable beverage like alcohol can generate pressure.
What's the best way to clean my SIGG?
Rinsing your SIGG thoroughly under the faucet with warm, soapy water at the end of every day and letting it air dry with the top off provides sufficient cleaning in most cases. When more thorough cleaning is required, you can use baking soda and vinegar. For tough jobs, pick up some SIGG cleaning tablets and a SIGG brush. Do not use a hard bristled brush to clean the interior of your SIGG bottle as this may damage the liner.
I have noticed that my bottle's inner coating has darkened, and there are dark spots on the base. What can I do about this?
These discolorations are caused by sugar deposits. Tip: thoroughly rinse out the bottle with hot water. To deal with heavier soiling, try a SIGG cleaning brush and SIGG Bottle Clean cleaning tablets.
I dropped my bottle and the top broke off. How can that happen?
The bottle top has been tested and meets a very high standard of mechanical durability. Yet the stress of a full bottle landing at an unfortunate angle may be sufficient to break the plastic. Regrettably, there is not much to be done about this. But you can buy a spare part replacement for any SIGG bottle.
The paint is flaking off the outside of my bottle. Why?
Regular quality control ensures a very tough outer coating. However, severe scratches and dents over time may cause the exterior paint finish to weaken. If moisture then penetrates between the coating and the bottle wall, the paint may start to flake. This does not in any way affect the bottle's functionality.
Can I place my SIGG in the freezer?
NO, this may cause the bottle to crack. For chilling, we recommend placing your SIGG in the refrigerator but NOT in the freezer – no matter how full the bottle.
