Gen Z never leave the house without this accessory - and it's not what you expect

New research shows that seven out of 10 Gen Z always carry a water bottle with them when they step out of the house – with over half considering it a key 'accessory'. It showed that Gen Z have specific water bottles for certain locations, including the workplace, the gym and the bedside table. While the average person is likely to own two different drinking bottles, a fifth of Gen Z own four or more.

When it comes to choosing a bottle, Gen Z prioritise pattern and design, sustainability factors, and brand reputation, with many willing to spend nearly £20 pounds on a bottle from their favourite brands.

Michael McAuley, a spokesperson for Culligan UK – a company offering drinking water solutions for home and work – which conducted the study, commented: "If you look around when out and about, it's rare to see someone without a reusable bottle.

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"The choice of water bottles is endless in terms of size and design and youngsters see it as a way of reflecting part of their personality and making their lives easier."

While most view it as a trendy accessory, other reasons for consistently carrying a water bottle include sustainability and overall health. Over half of those who set themselves a daily water intake goal believe that having a bottle on them encourages this.

Are you someone who can't bear the thought of leaving the house without your favourite bottle or do you regularly need reminding to take a sip? Take this quiz to find out.

With the average person spending £16.70 on a water bottle, a third claim it will help them save money in the long run as they won't have to buy water while they're out and about.

Unfortunately, a quarter feel that their local town lacks sufficient refill stations, being aware of only two.

“If there’s nowhere to refill them the purpose of carrying a bottle around to stay hydrated is ruined," Michael points out, "with the weather only getting warmer it’s important to have water to hand."

Consequently, a third have resorted to making purchases in cafés just to ask staff to refill their bottles, and a quarter have even used sinks in public toilets for refills.

A spokesperson for Culligan UK commented: "The research shows people are calling out for more places to top up their water bottle.Resorting to spending money on things in cafes to have theirs refilled defeats the object of saving in the long run with a reusable one.

"Youngsters seem to care about sustainability as well, suggesting why they own many bottles rather than buying plastic ones when out and about."