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Should Schools Ban Metal Water Bottles?

Public schools in Trussville, Alabama, have a new rule this year. Metal water bottles, like Stanleys and Owalas, are no longer allowed in class. Kids can bring clear plastic bottles only. Other districts also ban metal cups.

Some school officials think these bans will help kids focus. They say large metal cups take up too much desk space. The heavy bottles can also cause injuries if thrown or dropped. And falling cups are loud! 

“When a water bottle hits the tile floor in another classroom, you can hear it echo through the halls,” says Ellie Kuba. She’s a fourth-grade teacher at Lisbon Elementary School in Lisbon, Iowa.

Still, Kuba and many other teachers say bans aren’t the answer. They point out that reusable metal cups can help reduce plastic waste. Others argue that any bottles can disrupt class. They say the key is for kids to act responsibly.

Here’s what two of our readers think.

Big metal water bottles can be a real distraction. Once in my class, someone accidentally kicked over a Stanley cup. We spent almost 10 minutes cleaning up the spill. 

Plus, you can’t see inside a metal bottle, so kids can sneak in other drinks, like soda or juice. Spilling them creates a stickier mess than water. You don’t need a giant metal bottle. Most schools have drinking fountains. You can use those to refill a smaller plastic bottle.

Metal water bottles keep water cold longer than plastic bottles do. It’s easier to drink more water when it’s nice and cool! Bottles like Owalas or Stanleys also last longer than plastic ones. They save families money because you can buy just one cup and use it over and over.

My teacher lets us keep our metal bottles on our desks. But if they start causing problems, our teacher asks us to move them to a special table outside the classroom.

What does your class think?

Should schools ban metal water bottles?

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