Disposable bottles are designed to be used only once. They are made with very thin walls as opposed to reusable bottles, which have thick walls. Furthermore, disposable bottles have a safety-sealed cap. While disposable bottles can be reused, they must be thoroughly washed out before reusing.
Another key difference is the materials used in manufacturing. Disposable bottles are usually made of inexpensive plastic. Reusable bottles are usually made out of stainless steel or aluminum, and are designed for durability. Each material has its advantages and disadvantages. For example, stainless steel bottles heat up more quickly than plastic bottles, requiring them to have an insulated covering on hot days. Aluminum bottles are harder to clean, and dent easily if dropped.
Single-use bottles have an inexpensive safety-sealed cap. After filling the bottle, the cap is screwed on. The cap has a sealed ring, which breaks free when you open it. Reusable bottles, on the other hand, have a sturdy cap that is designed to be screwed on and off repeatedly. Another difference is the size of the opening. A disposable bottle has a very small opening. A reusable bottle has a larger opening, since it will have to be refilled without the use of a funnel.
A key difference is the cost of manufacture. Since a disposable bottle is to be thrown away or recycled, costs are kept to a minimum. The entire bottle, from the materials used to the wall thickness to the method of capping, is designed to be as inexpensive as possible. Since a reusable bottle is designed to last, the costs of all aspects increase accordingly. These costs are passed on to the consumer.