Hydroflasks are everywhere you look on campus. If you have not seen them, you most often hear them rattling on the sides of students’ bags.

I do not own a Hydroflask and do not plan on purchasing one anytime soon. What makes these water bottles so cool is not the double vacuum insulation they have, but the name that is attached to it.

According to PR Newswire the water bottle market has an expectancy to reach 10.19 billion dollars in revenue by 2024. For Hydroflask, over 418.1 million dollars in sales have been made within the last year.

Each Hydroflask water bottle ranges from 20 to 70 dollars depending on the size or style. Sizes of the water bottle range from 18 to 64 ounces.

For individuals my age, the reason for buying reusable products does not relate to reducing one’s carbon footprint or saving the environment. Instead, the focus lies on which aesthetic will elevate your status in society.

When looking on social media, Instagram has over 200,000 posts under #hydroflask. The video sharing app TikTok has 868.1 million videos under #hydroflaskgang and 171.7 million videos under #hydroflask.

Whether you own one of these water bottles or not, they are an image of status amongst many other companies who advertise reusable products as a trend for younger audiences.

Seeing all of my friends showing off their new water bottles this past fall has caused me to consider the trend too. I don’t want to spend all my money on this water bottle when I could get a different brand for a fraction of  the  cost.

The plastic water bottle ciris is not a new issue for todays’ youth. Approximately 42.6 billion water bottles are purchased in a year. Americans spend 11.8 billion on those bottles they immediately throw away.

The benefits of a reusable water bottle are high and I am in full support of any small step that can create an impact on the waste epidemic the world currently faces.

However, in our society the switch to becoming more sustainable comes with a higher sticker price. This discourages individuals to make a change.

As an incoming college student, this conflicts with my morals. I want to make a difference, but sometimes it’s easier to use an item I can toss out immediately.

With my best efforts, I choose to focus on the reality of the matter: the goal of reducing the impact on the environment, but especially on your wallet.

Stress over the trendiest color or style does not cross my mind when purchasing a water bottle.

If you already own a Hydroflask, continue using what you already own. The company gives customers their money’s worth for how long you can keep your drink cold and other special features.

But if you are on the fence about whether or not to take the leap, research alternative options to the pricey Hydroflask. They can be as simple as reusing a jar from old pasta sauce.

The trend of sustainability can create change little by little, however I challenge you all to look at why you are putting money down on these “eco-friendly” products. To make a difference environmentally, or a difference in your social status.

Nelson can be reached at [email protected]