RECYCLED:Empty water bottles are sorted out of the trash into large bins in the sorting area at Rainbow Disposal in Huntington Beach in this 2008 Register file photo.

Orange County clearly prefers reusable water bottles, from the basic plastic to the fancy and fashionable aluminum and steel, over disposable water bottles, according to GreenOC’s small, unscientific survey.

Not that it’s unanimous by any means. The results, as of 3:30 Friday:

• 26 percent: Disposable
• 62 percent: Reusable
• 12 percent: Don’t carry

Among those who rely on reusables, inexpensive plastic bottles are the clear winners,  followed by the more fashionable, and expensive, stainless steel variety. Only a few of our 208 respondents preferred aluminum. (Click here for a review of the different reusable bottle options.)

On the other hand, a good quarter of folks rely on the disposable bottles — some are just fed up with the hassles of recycling while others appreciate the convenience of disposable bottles.

I understand. I was searching all over just this morning for a clean, BPA-free bottle for my kids, who have a habit of leaving these all over.

Want to add your thoughts, here’s a second shot at the poll:

Meanwhile, deposits could rise for some bottles in California, and exemptions would be eliminated for some others, based on Senate Bill 402, which is awaiting action by the governor. In one case, deposits would double to 10 cents for 20-ounce containers.

Some folks are criticizing that plan, saying it is being driven by the state’s taking of recycling money for other needs; others say California’s deposits should be higher to force an improvement in recycling levels.

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