Ditching Plastic Soda Bottles is a Huge Win

We are not big soda drinkers in our house.  But we do drink A LOT of seltzer water.  In the before times (before plastic-free) we would go through at least 3 cases of 1 liter seltzer bottles a month.  That is more than 36 plastic water bottles every single month.   On top of this, I would often buy single-serve seltzer bottles when I was out and about.  And while we typically only buy seltzer water, many buy carbonated soft drinks in plastic bottles. And the Sodastream can help all of us to stop buying plastic bottles, while still enjoying the beverages we love.

The Sodastream machine is easy to use.  The set-up is quick–It comes with a CO2 cylinder that screws into the back of the machine.  Mine also came with three (unfortunately) plastic bottles that you fill with water, and then place in machine.  Push the button on top several times, and your water is adequately fizzed!  If you are a soda drinker, there are plenty of flavored syrups, including cola, Pepsi, Mountain Dew, and others, that are available to make your favorite drink.  I have not tried these flavor syrups, but there are plenty of reviews and taste tests available on-line to see if it would make sense for you.  From a seltzer water drinker, this was an easy and convenient switch.  I mostly drink unflavored seltzer, but I have also tried the Bubly brand drops to add unsweetened flavors to my water.  If you like the flavors of Bubly sparkling water, these are a perfect substitute.

The one barrier to switching away from plastic-bottles of soft drinks is the upfront cost of buying the machine, and the ongoing cost of the CO2 cylinders and the flavors.  The machine itself, is the biggest hurdle.  This morning, on the Sodastream website, you can get the Sodastream Terra machine with one CO2 cylinder and one plastic bottle for carbonating, for $99.  The better deal, is to take the package with one cyclinder, three 1-liter bottles, two 0.5-liter bottles and bottle of lemon Bubly flavor drops for $129.

It is a quick payback for both the machine and the cylinders, so if you can swing the upfront investment, you will save money over the medium/long term.  I paid $99 for my machine and it paid for itself in less than 4 months.  How did I figure that?

• I used to buy 3 cases of seltzer each month = 36 bottles/mo
• Each case of seltzer cost me about $12, or $1 per bottle
• Each cylinder fills about 60 quarts (each quart is about 1L), so one cylinder fills 60 bottles
• I received 1 cylinder free with my machine, and replacements cost $15
• $15 for 60 liters = $0.25/liter = Savings of $0.75/bottle
• Savings:
  • $36 first month
  • $27 each month after ($0.75/bottle * 36 bottles/mo)

Unfortunately, if you are a soda drinker, the savings are limited.  The flavored syrups are not inexpensive, and cut into, or eliminate, the savings.  For example, on Amazon you can buy Sodastream Cola flavored syrup that will make 9 liters for $8.75.  Once you add the cost of the CO2, it will cost you about $1.25 to make a liter of cola, which is likely more expensive than a 2L bottle of Coke.

The cylinder exchange does require you to plan ahead.  The machine comes with one CO2 cylinder, but it is much easier to exchange the cylinders and never run out of gas, if you buy an extra.  That way you can have one on hand while you are goig through the exchange process.  I use the Sodastream online exchange service, which involves a few easy steps:

1.  When I am about half way through my second cylinder, I go on the Sodastream website and order two new cylinders.
2. The box with two cylinders arrives and I set it aside until my second cylinder is empty.
3. When the second cylinder is empty, then I replace it with a new one, and then pack the two used cylinders in the box that the new ones came in.  I use the shipping lable that came inside the box with the new cylinders, and ship the package back to Sodastream.

Ordering two cylinders at a time is worth it.  First, it gets your free shipping from Sodastream.  And second, you never run out of gas without having a replacement on hand.  Another option is to return the cylinders, and buy new ones at a store near you.  There is a store locator on the Sodastream website.  I have seen the cylinders available at Walmart and at Staples.  The price for refill cylinders has been the same everywhere that I have seen them.

Overall, I found this an easy and cost effective switch, which saves our household a lot of plastic waste.  Highly Recommend!