Bottled Water goes Green

Bottled Water Goes Green.

It wasn’t long ago that some wag said, “Yeah, and you’re telling me that in the next decade they’ll be selling water by the bottle!…Like that’s gonna happen.”  Famous last words from folks who believe that there’s nothing else to be invented.

Not only are bottled waters being sold everywhere other beverages are being sold, but some bottled waters are on the high end of costs…many costing more than your normal fountain soda.  But according to the industry many bottled water brands have seen declines over the last year.

Industry spokesmen believe that the decline is because of the sluggish economy.  Customers are purchasing the bargain or tap waters at the expense of the premium and larger brands.  Other industry watchdogs point to the increased efforts of opponents of the use of plastic bottle packaging.

To save the industry, many of the bottlers have changed bottle sizes and designs and are incorporating “green” technology to advance sales.  Some, such as Nestle, have published websites offering cooking and dining ideas to its consumers. Nestle launched to offer customers a fancy-dining-at-home experience featuring it’s San Pellegrino brand.  Nestle is also promoting its “Embrace the Pure Life” campaign.

Although most attempts at claiming a “going green” campaign in production of consumables is designed to increase sales, even a little bit of help is worth noting.

For instance, Fiji announced they are participating in the 1 Percent for the Planet program.  Icelandic Glacial is promoting its environmental saving efforts by using carbon-neutral certified processes.

Some of the following brands are not available nationally – but they are worthy of mentioning in their reaching out to the environmental activists  with their efforts of saving the environment.

Project 7 has switched to biodegradable bottles that can also be recycled.

Echo Beverages says their packages are 100 percent recycled PET bottles and feature removable labels to prepare them for recycling.

Coca-Cola claims that Dasani is being bottled in PlantBottle PET plastic.  They are made partially from plants and are 100 percent recyclable.  Coke says that this reduces their dependence on petroleum made products.

Aquafina’s Eco-Fina bottle utilizes 50 percent less plastic and is expected to eliminate the use of 75 million pounds of plastic each year.

Saratoga Spring Water Company announced the use of wind power in production and that its plastic and glass waste is recycled into everything from blue glass mulch, bath mats, and shower curtains.

Keeper Springs has gone to a 25 percent recycled PET bottle with the expectations of going 50 percent by the end of the year.

Next Generation Waters has joined the 1 Percent for the Planet campaign.

Nika Water Company, LLC. has added a one half liter bottle made from 100 percent recycled PET – in some of their accounts.

Aspen Pure Water says that their redesign of their 16.9 ounce bottle has made it more eco-friendly, and that their new package contains less plastic and is boxed with a cardboard package that is 60 percent recycled cardboard.

Gota has said that they are making contributions of revenues to programs that promote water preservation.

Volvic bottles are now made with 25 percent recycled PET with a goal of 50 percent as soon as possible.

Native Waters, LLC. has made their 16.9 and 23.7 ounce ENSO bottles made with 25 percent recycled plastic.

The bottled water industry saw a bit of an increase in awareness following the Haitian earthquake.  Many of the bottled water companies sent donations of bottled water and financial donations  to help in the relief efforts.  It was the first major industry wide relief effort since Hurricane Katrina.

Still the campaigns against the bottled water industry continues.  But, since water is a definite necessity to sustaining life, the sales of bottled water will continue.

For more information on bottled water, visit the International Bottled Water Association’s website at: https://bottledwater.org/