Plastic has been in vogue since the 1850s. And plastic containers since the 1960s. The concept of tumblers for drinking is not new! Babies have long been drinking from water bottles, sippy cups, etc. Bottles have been around for more than 200 years now. However plastic as a material for manufacturing tumblers and bottles only started in 1946 with Tervis Tumblers. Let’s examine this question that is asked often – Is Tervis BPA Free?
With the invention of plastic in the 1900s, especially after World War II, plastic was put in high demand because of its economic feasibility and ability to be molded into multiple shapes and sizes. Plastic is also comparatively easier to clean and can resist scorching temperatures.
A material that possesses so many qualities naturally ought to come with its set of cons as well. Getting manufactured also means plastic contains BPA which has adverse health effects is consumed. But with the changing technology, plastic bottles can be made BPA-Free. So the question is: Is Tervis BPA-Free?
What Is Tervis?
Tervis Tumblers was founded in 1946 by Frank Cotter and G.Howlett Davis. In Detroit Michigan. Tervis tumblers are popular for having double-wall vacuum insulation. Tumblers come in multiple materials like glass, stainless steel, and plastic, Tervis specializes in clear double-walled vacuum insulated plastic tumblers to keep the drinks hot and cold for a long time.
Tumbler also sells glasses, mugs, and water bottles. It is one of the tumbler fan favorites as it comes in various shapes and sizes and even sells brand merch-designed tumblers and customizable tumblers for fans.
Is Tervis Tumbler BPA-Free?
Tervis Tumblers are BPA-free as of 2011. Customers who have bought from Tervis before 2011 may have containers that contain BPA. Since 2011, Tervis has been using the new generation polymer that is BPA-free and needs less processing while manufacturing, is high-quality, and therefore more durable.
Are all products by Tervis like water bottles BPA-free as well? Yes, Tervis tumblers, water bottles, coffee mugs, and wine glasses are BPA-Free as of 2011.
What Is BPA?
BPA stands for Bisphenol A, a substance found in plastic that can leach food and water packaged in plastic containers. BPA is being used since plastic got popular for manufacturing products in the 1950s. Therefore it is used to manufacture water bottles, cans, and other plastic containers.
BPA has adverse health effects like pregnancy loss, metabolic diseases, behavioral diseases in children, cardiac diseases and diabetes, and other life-threatening diseases. Though FDA claims that minimal amounts of BPA are safe for human beings, plastic containers compose more than the safe amount of BPA.
Therefore many companies publicize that they have gone BPA-free using Code 1-6 plastics. Code 7 is for polycarbonate plastic which contains BPA while other code plastics like PET or Poluthylene don’t contain BPA.
How To Reduce Risk of BPA?
Though FDA suggests that a BPA-free container is safe to use and reuse, scientific developments say otherwise. There are many other controversial BPA alternatives like BPS, BPF, etc. which behave like BPA to an extent and pose a threat to human life.
Therefore, it’s crucial that people go ‘Plastic-Free’ and not just ‘BPA-Free’:
- Avoid Plastic Containers labeled ‘7’: As of yet, plastics labeled 1-6 are comparatively safer than plastics with the recycling label no.7. PET or label no.1 is the safest code, but that too for one-time use.
- Avoid reusing plastic packagings like water bottles, coated cups, food containers, tumblers and even think about use of pipes in water supply systems.
- Avoid Plastic Containers: Tervis offers a stainless-steel range of tumblers, water bottles, stemless wine cups, and coffee mugs. And at the end of the day, nothing beats wine tumblers made of glass!
- Avoid Reheating Plastic Containers: the world can’t be changed in just a day or a few years. So while you use BPA-free plastic containers, we suggest you don’t heat them as that poses a risk of unknown chemicals leaching into your food or drinks. Ceramic and glass work best if you need to heat edibles.
Can You Microwave a Tervis?
Yes, Tervis plastic tumblers are microwave-safe. However, customers must take note of the microwave instructions written at the bottom of plastic tumblers:
NOTE: Do not microwave Tervis stainless-steel drinkware.
What Is Tervis Warranty Policy?
Tervis has a lifetime guarantee policy. Although the policy applies to specific terms and conditions and depends upon the drinkware ranges they offer:
- Classic-insulated double-wall drinkware offers a lifetime guarantee policy
- Stainless steel products have a limited guarantee of 5 years.
- Accessories do not have a guarantee.
For complete details, Customers can check out the Guarantees and Returns page of Tervis.
Tervis Drinkware
Tervis’s staple product is their double-wall vacuum insulated tumblers that come in various prints and are customizable. The founders of the brand developed the vacuum insulation technology and combined the last three letters of each of their surnames to name the brand.
Tervis Drinkware includes tumblers, mugs, water bottles, and stemless wine cups. The tumblers can be converted into Tervis mugs using slip-on handles for both 16oz and 24oz tumblers. Tervis Mugs are available both with lids and without lids and come in a variety of colors.
Tervis BPA-free water bottles have a screw-on lid while Tervis mugs and tumblers have a snap-on lid. The Tervis lids are sizeable for all tumblers and mugs. Tervis drinkware comes with a guarantee but Tervis drinkware accessories do not come with a guarantee.
Conclusion
Tervis has been completely BPA safe since 2011, after starting to use a new generation polymer in 2009. It is one of the top 10 tumbler brands in America. So putting your trust in the BPA-free Tervis drinkware would be a wise choice.
