Why We Don't Paint Our Bottles

Three colorful Pura Stainless water bottles on top of a child’s drawings.

Choosing healthy, sustainable water bottles for your family should be simple. But most bottles on the market still contain plastics, PFAS, and other toxic materials — even those that claim to be eco-friendly and chemical-free. Sadly, many families don’t realise that these harmful substances could be hidden in the colourful outer coating.

That’s why at Pura Stainless, we’ve created the safest water bottles on the market. Every single Pura product is made from 100% food-service-grade stainless steel and medical-grade silicone — with absolutely no paint. So, why do we refuse to paint our bottles? Let’s talk about it.

Two green stainless steel water bottles with plastic lids resting near a creek

Painted Bottles

Before you restock your household essentials, it’s a good idea to set a sustainability goal. For everyday items that run out quickly, consider buying in bulk to cut down on waste. And when it comes to water bottles, it’s not just what’s inside that matters — the outside coating deserves your attention, too.

A mint-colored stainless steel water bottle with a plastic lid resting on a log

Powder-Coated Bottles

Many popular stainless steel water bottles — like the one shown above with a plastic lid — use a more durable, chip-resistant finish known as powder coating. Often promoted as an eco-friendly alternative to paint, this method is commonly used to attract sustainability-conscious consumers.

However, powder coating involves spraying a plastic and/or industrial material blend onto bottles, which is then cured with heat or UV light. Despite being more durable, this coating is still plastic-based — and must be removed before bottles can be properly recycled.

Young brunette woman drinking from a stainless steel water bottle on a hike

Risks

The unfortunate truth is that both painted and powder-coated bottles can contain plastics, PFAS, and other toxic materials that pose risks to both human health and the environment.

The EcoWaste Coalition has warned that reusable bottles are frequently decorated with paints containing dangerously high levels of lead.
According to Sustainability Matters magazine, powder coatings may contain up to 50% plastic, which eventually breaks down into microplastics — polluting the environment and contributing to landfill waste.

Several Pura Stainless water bottles lined up on the beach

The Best Option

According to the latest scientific findings, sticking with uncoloured stainless steel is the best choice. Not only are Pura bottles 100% plastic-free and chemical-free, but our interchangeable silicone sleeves make them easier to carry. You can even switch up the colour of your bottle to match your mood — instead of buying a new one — making them even more sustainable, stylish, and fun!

Several colorful Pura Stainless water bottles on a wooden chair.

At Pura Stainless, we believe you should never have to second-guess whether your products are safe for your family or the planet. That’s why we use only the safest water bottle materials — ones that are well-known, well-researched, and proven to be non-toxic. We’re also proud to have achieved the rigorous Made Safe® certification across all of our products.

Visit our website to learn more, or start your journey today with the best bottles on the market!