An entire school district in Kentucky is banning students from bringing metal and glass water bottles onto school campuses and buses because of ‘growing safety and operational concerns.’

Hardin County Schools students were notified of the change this week, via a post to social media.

‘Only plastic bottles with plastic lids will be acceptable for students to use during the school day and while being transported to and from school on the school bus,’ the district’s statement read.

The new policy goes into effect in less than a week, the district said. 

‘Administrators reached this decision after reviewing growing safety and operational concerns,’ the district added, with the first day of classes set for August 6.

‘We apologize for the short notice and any inconvenience this change may cause families.’

Hardin County parent and school bus driver Bobby Thompson told Louisville’s Fox affiliate WDRB how he welcomed the policy because of witnessing students use the non-disposable bottles as blunt objects ‘in fights.’

‘They’re falling off desks, they’re making loud bangs – they do that on the bus as well. They have also been used as weapons. We’ve seen that in the school.’ 

Thompson added that the only issue he saw with the policy was ‘the short time frame’ to allow for preparation.

Jenn Ryan, a mother to a middle schooler at one of the district’s 21 schools, said she approved of the policy as well.

‘Unfortunately the many have to pay the price for the few,’ Ryan said, similar to Thompson.  

‘Those poor decisions are going to affect everybody, but at the end of the day their job is to keep our kids safe.’

Ryan also acknowledged how reusable water bottles had become a sort of ‘status symbol’ in recent years.

‘If the kids were behaving, they wouldn’t have to have this rule.’

Brands like Stanley, Owala, and Brumate were singled out by Hardin County officials specifically.

All bottles made of glass, stainless steel, aluminum, or any other metal ‘are prohibited during school hours, including while being transported to and from school,’  the district said.

Students are advised to instead bring plastic water bottles with plastic lids. 

Hardin County School District’s Community Relations specialist John Wright warned of how ‘metal containers have gotten larger and have caused frequent disruptions when dropped’ in recent years.

‘And, more importantly, [they] pose safety risks due to their weight, metal construction and handles,’ he said.

In 2024, the global stainless-steel water bottle market was valued at $5.8 billion, according to estimates from Maximize Market Research.