We’ve all heard it: at some point during a class, perhaps when a teacher is droning on, or during the middle of an intense exam, the reverberating unmistakable crash of a metal water bottle sounds throughout the room silencing all.

As many students and faculty may have noticed recently, a new player is taking US by storm. The age-old water bottle landscape is undergoing yet another transformation as Owala water bottles reset the trend, ushering in a new era of hydration at US.

Forget everything you thought you knew about water bottles—Owala is not just another bottle; it’s a phenomenon. With its innovative design, the Owala water bottle is completely leakproof and offers guzzlers two drinking methods, a straw and a large opening for quick hydration that fits to each user’s mouth.

In classrooms and study sessions, Owala has quietly replaced the old guard. Those once-popular water bottles are finding themselves relegated to the back of cabinets, overshadowed by the rising star that is Owala. As the once untouchable and favored Stanley water bottle now retreats, just months after arriving on the scene, other once dominant drinking solutions too cower in Owlala’s rising presence. The trend is undeniable, and the shift is palpable. The Owala water bottle isn’t just a functional accessory; it’s a symbol of a forward-thinking approach to hydration.

As Owala continues to invade US, the conversations among students have shifted. It’s not just about having a water bottle; it’s about having the right water bottle. From environmental consciousness to the desire for a spill-free experience to having the latest trend, students are rallying behind the Owala water bottle, and many students have shown their willingness to pay the $30+ to keep up with this trend for a standard Owala bottle.

However, in our quest for the next big thing, there’s a less-discussed side of this hydration revolution. The reusable water bottle trend started with good intentions, aiming to reduce single-use plastic waste. But, the rapid turnover of trendy bottles can have unintended consequences. The old bottles, once the pride of hydration, now gather dust in the back of cabinets, silently adding to the clutter. Perhaps, in our eagerness to adopt the latest, we forget the environmental impact of discarding what was once the symbol of eco-consciousness.

Out with the old, in with the trend—this seems to be the mantra defining water drinking experiences across high schools in the nation.

The halls of US now echo with the distinctive sipping sounds of Owala, signaling a refreshing change in the campus hydration culture. However, with this shift in landscape, it is essential to remember the waste that often accompanies fast-fashion and now bottle-bolting.