The role of bottled hydration drinks is being questioned, with some outlets discussing their potential as a need-to-have or nice-to-sell product. However, others are highlighting the environmental and social concerns surrounding bottled water, including plastic pollution and worsening inequality in communities facing drinking-water crises. The use of different types of bottles, including glass and plastic, is also being examined in terms of their impact on the drinks themselves, with research suggesting that glass bottles may shed microplastics into drinks.