How to Repair Your Nalgene (and Why It Matters for a Waste-Free World)
Nalgene bottles are more than just water containers. For hikers, travelers, students, and everyday adventurers, they have become an icon of durability. Made from nearly indestructible BPA-free plastic, they are designed to last for years. But what happens when a strap breaks, a lid cracks, or the body gets damaged? Too often, people toss them in the trash. That is a mistake, not only because they can usually be repaired, but because keeping them alive helps reduce virgin plastic production and waste.
With no new virgin plastic creation, we prevent more fossil fuels from being extracted, lower greenhouse gas emissions, reduce plastic waste in landfills, and cut back on ocean pollution. Repairing instead of replacing saves money, keeps products in circulation, and encourages a culture of care over disposability.
What Can Go Wrong and How to Fix It
Broken or lost cap straps
Straps often snap or go missing, leaving the cap free-floating. The fix is simple: replace the strap with a strong cord, a small piece of cable, or even a 3D printed flexible strap.
See the full DIY repair guide here
Cracked lids or stripped threads
Sometimes lids get cracked or the threads wear down. Replacement lids are available at outdoor stores and directly from Nalgene. For small cracks, food-safe epoxy or plastic adhesive can seal them effectively.
See the full DIY repair guide here
Body damage
Occasionally bottles develop small cracks. These can often be sealed with a food-safe epoxy. If rough edges form, sanding them smooth makes the bottle safe to use again.
See the full DIY repair guide here– Guide 1, Guide 2
Why Repair, Not Replace?
Repairing a Nalgene does more than save you money. Every bottle kept in use avoids new plastic entering circulation. Since plastics are made from fossil fuels, that means fewer emissions, less landfill waste, and lower demand for oil-based production. Repair also keeps plastic out of rivers and oceans, prevents the energy-intensive recycling process, and extends the story of your gear. A repaired bottle is not just functional; it is proof of resilience.
Keep It for Life
Imagine if every piece of outdoor gear, from bottles to backpacks, jackets, and stoves, was treated as something to keep alive rather than throw away. That is the vision behind a future “Keep It for Life” campaign and the idea of a #RepairYourGear challenge. Nalgene, with its decades-long reputation for toughness, is the perfect symbol to lead this shift.
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