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Lately, there’s been a lot of media coverage—and plenty of conversation here at our office—about the alarming levels of harmful chemicals found in cheap, recycled black plastics, all prompted by a recent study. It’s scary. And awful that so many products we use daily, eat from, or even let our kids play with could be exposing us to these chemicals.

Before we dig in, let me assure you: Bivo bottles and the plastic in our lids have undergone extensive testing to meet the most stringent chemical safety standards. Our bottles are 100% free of the chemicals mentioned in the study- such as brominated flame retardants (BFRs), organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs), and heavy metals such as cadmium, chromium and lead.

Our standards go beyond the U.S. FDA requirements, also meeting strict European safety standards, including REACH and LFGB. We follow these European standards because, frankly, we believe FDA guidelines alone don’t push the industry far enough. Specifically, all our bottle components meet FDA and European REACH standards, and they’re certified to be free of BPA, BPS, BPF, and PFAS. In short, we go the extra mile to ensure that the materials in every Bivo product meet the highest safety benchmarks.

As a parent, this issue hits home for me. Reading about the dangers of certain plastics has definitely changed the way Carina and I approach everyday items in our household. Just a few weeks ago, Carina and I both saw this article on black plastic, looked at each other, and then agreed without words that last night’s take-out leftovers in black plastic containers were going straight to the trash. We’re rethinking and adjusting all the time—researching plastics here at Bivo has only reinforced that. We’ve swapped out plastic food containers for glass, we cook with cast iron instead of non-stick, and we use glass, metal, or wooden bowls for food prep. Recently, we even gave up plastic wrap (yes, that was a hard one!).

As consumers, putting in the work means doing just what you’ve done by reaching out to us with questions: asking brands about their safety standards. If you’re ever unsure, reach out to them directly. And if they’re vague or don’t respond, that’s a signal to reconsider. This is especially important for food-related products or anything kids are likely to handle or put in their mouth.

Finally, we wanted to answer a few key questions from our team to help guide you toward making safe choices.

What’s bad about black plastic? 

Not all black plastic is inherently dangerous. The real issue lies in recycled black plastic, commonly used in items like sushi trays, to-go containers, and kitchen utensils. I highly recommend checking out the article Why Black Plastic is Bad News by Beyond Plastics. They explain how only about 15% of plastic recyclables are black, which falls far short of industry demand. To compensate, manufacturers sometimes mix e-waste, like discarded electronics, into virgin plastic. 

Even more concerning, as Beyond Plastics points out, there are currently no government regulations that specifically address the safety of recycled black plastic products. That’s a scary reality, and it’s a major reason why chemical testing should be a standard we demand from all brands. It’s essential to know that the products we use daily, especially those in contact with food, are safe.

Bivo makes colorful lids and black lids- all out of plastic. Why is this not an issue? What makes the black plastic in our lids different? 

Great question! The answer is simple: we use only high-quality plastic that undergoes rigorous testing to meet—and exceed—both FDA (U.S. standards) and REACH (stricter European standards) requirements. We run these tests regularly and any time a new material enters our supply chain. Our products have always surpassed these standards, and we’re committed to ensuring they continue to do so in the future. Unlike the black plastic referenced in these studies and news articles, Bivo’s plastic (both colorful and black) does not have any of the toxic chemicals referenced. Our plastic is also free of many other harmful chemicals that weren’t the focus of these articles (see below for more details on this!)

Why is it the case there are not any governmental regulations covering the safety of recycled black plastics? 

Honestly, I wish I had a good answer for this—it’s a question that frustrates many of us. Without regulations in place, brands have to take on the responsibility themselves. My suggestion? Look into the testing practices of the brands you trust. Don’t hesitate to ask them directly about their chemical testing processes. Until regulations catch up, it’s up to us as consumers to ask how companies are ensuring the safety of the products we bring into our lives.

What can I do in my life to avoid products prone to these issues?

• To start, I’d recommend swapping out plastic bowls, food containers, and cooking tools like plastic spatulas and utensils. These are easy places to make a change.
• When it comes to takeout, try to avoid restaurants that use black plastic to-go containers. I know—it’s tough because we all love an easy takeout solution for those nights we don’t want to cook. But looking for places that use cardboard or paper containers is a small change that can make a difference.
• Another tip: bring your own reusable coffee or tea container next time you head out for a drink. Those black plastic lids are exactly some of the products the articles are warning about.
• And lastly, I can’t stress enough: support brands that take chemical safety seriously. Look for transparency. A brand that stands by the safety of their products should be open about their chemical testing process. If they’re dodging questions or holding back information, that’s a red flag. Safe products and transparency go hand in hand.

What else should I know about Bivo regarding product safety?

• FREE of BPA, BPF & BPS – We are 100% free of all of these bisphenols (which are linked to a host of negative health effects). 
• LFGB Compliant Silicone – Our nozzle, straw and o-rings are made from food grade silicone. We are only required to do one test, but we opted to do the more in-depth testing, which is 7 tests in total. (LFGB is the equivalent of the FDA in Europe, but the testing standards are much more stringent.)
• Phthalates – We test for these endocrine disruptors in every new color and material introduced, and our tests show none are found on our bottles.
• Heavy metals (such as Cadmium) - Our test results show that there is no trace of this cancer causing agent found in any part of our bottles. 
• PFAS - The forever chemicals. We have tested the components of our bottles that would potentially have PFAS in them, and they have all tested negative. We are now testing all other components such as accessories, and packaging just to be 100% sure there is no PFAS in unexpected places.
• Lead- Bivo bottles are 100% lead free. While some insulated bottles use a lead bead to seal their bottles, Bivo opted to use a glass bead because we wanted NO LEAD in our bottles. 

To wrap things up, I just want to say thank you again for reaching out, being curious, and placing your trust in us and the products we offer.

If you ever have any questions—whether they’re related to Bivo’s chemical testing policy or anything else—I’m always here and happy to help however I can. The world of chemical testing can be overwhelming and, honestly, a bit scary. Carina summed it up perfectly in her article Lead and Bivo’s Chemical Testing Policy when she said, “Chemical testing has always been a bit baffling to me. It’s too easy to sneak by and do the bare minimum, or find loopholes that allow bad things on products we use in our daily lives.” Reach out anytime: thirsty@drinkbivo.com

Thank you all,

Robby