06/15/2026
There are many water refill stations located throughout campus, and we even have a hydration station available to rent for outdoor events through UK Recycling! Learn more here: https://facilities.uky.edu/campus/facilities-services/recycling/hydration-station
Nothing feels better on a hot summer day than a nice, cold drink. It’s easy to grab a reusable bottle before heading out — and even easier to pick up a bottle of water on the go. But does that convenience come with a cost?
Plastic water bottles contain chemicals like bisphenol A and phthalates that make the bottles more flexible and pliable, but are so small that they can be absorbed into the body’s cells and tissues. Prolonged exposure to sunlight, or UV light and elevated temperatures — such as when plastic bottles are left in cars during the warm, sunny months — can speed up that chemical leaching process.
What’s the harm? Bisphenol A, phthalates and certain micro- and nanoplastics are endocrine-disrupting chemicals, which means they can interfere with hormone actions throughout the endocrine system. Exposure has been linked to adverse health outcomes in humans. These include reproductive, developmental, neurological, immune and metabolic disorders.
Although exposure is potentially harmful to everyone, infants, children, pregnant people and older adults are especially at risk. Reusable stainless-steel and glass bottles not only help eliminate waste from plastic water bottles, but also help mitigate risks from the chemicals in plastic.
