Bottled water is bad for the environment, that much is clear. Question is — how bad? Have a look at these stats and see what you think:
- In the US, the production of plastic water bottles uses around 17 million barrels of oil annually. That’s enough to fuel a million cars for an entire year
- 86% of plastic bottles used in the US become garbage or litter
- US landfills are overflowing with 2 million tons of discarded water bottles alone
- Bottles used to package water take over 1,000 years to biodegrade
Pretty bleak, right?
Although most people are at least somewhat aware of all this, US bottled water consumption rose by 4.7% in 2021 to reach record sales of 15.7 billion gallons. And this is despite US tap water being completely palatable and safe to drink in most places.
Rather than a mistrust or dislike of tap water, the growing trend for drinking bottled water reflects the shift away from bottled soft drinks toward a healthier hydration option. Yes, customers are switching soda for water, but they’re sticking with bottles because bottled water is a convenience they’re willing to pay for.
With this in mind, recommending the use of reusable water bottles is all well and good. But a more pragmatic solution would be to offer consumers the bottled water they want in a way that’s better for the planet. Which is exactly what several companies are doing. Keep reading to find out who they are!
JUST
What’s refreshing about JUST is that they in no way advocate drinking bottled water over tap water. Instead, the company’s focus is to reduce the harm that the consumer preference for bottled water is doing to the planet.
And this isn’t an empty promise, either. As a certified B Corp company, JUST has a legal obligation to account for the impact that the business has on the environment. Some ways that JUST is doing things differently include:
- 100% US-sourced water from New York and Montana. This means fewer transport emissions involved in manufacture and distribution, as well as support for the local communities
- 88% of the materials used in the packaging for their spring and infused water are plant-derived. This includes sugarcane for the cap and shoulder and trees for the carton. Compared to plastic bottles, this offers a 74% reduction in carbon emissions
- JUST sparkling water comes in resealable and recyclable aluminum bottles
Pretty impressive! It also helps that JUST's branding and website are fun, eye-catching, and easy to understand. All this makes JUST water an appealing alternative for customers looking to reduce their environmental impact. 
Boxed Water
Boxed Water is another company intent on doing its bit to overcome the damage done by bottled water consumption in the US. The company positions itself as “the most renewable option in the water aisle,” all thanks to these measures:
- Cartons made from 92% renewable materials that are also refillable and recyclable
- At least a 36% lower carbon footprint than equivalent products
- Boxed Water cartons have half the carbon footprint of aluminum cans
- Boxed Water is sourced close to consumers to further reduce the company’s carbon footprint
As well as all of this, Boxed Water has committed to several environmental projects and campaigns. These include encouraging customers to take part in the no-plastic pledge, committing to plant one million trees, and supporting beach cleaning missions.
Liquid Death
If the name doesn’t grab your attention, Liquid Death’s social media campaigns, website, and horror movie (yes, really!) sure will. The company has certainly struck a chord with the public as it now has 1.4 million followers on Instagram and 2.9 million on TikTok.
Behind its popular, tongue-in-cheek approach, though, Liquid Death conveys a serious message about the damage that plastics are doing to the planet. As such, all Liquid Death water comes in aluminum-only packaging. As its website states, not only is aluminum infinitely recyclable, but 75% of all the aluminum produced since 1888 is still in use.
In an effort to “kill plastic pollution,” Liquid Death also supports the non-profit organizations 5 Gyres, PangeaSeed Foundation, and Thirst Project.
Waiākea
Unlike the other companies on this list, Waiākea offers water in plastic bottles as well as canned and boxed water. But rather than using regular plastic, its bottles are made from rPET (post-consumer recycled PET). Here are some of the ways that Waiākea is making a difference in the way we consume water:
- Waiākea rPET bottles are 100% recycled and recyclable, including the cap, bottle, and label. These bottles need 85% less energy and 99% less water to manufacture, reducing carbon emissions by 79%
- It’s possible to refill Waiākea aluminum water bottles 100+ times
- Customers can return the lining inside the Waiākea 15-liter box of water for upcycling
- Waiākea alkaline water comes from the Mauna Loa volcano in nearby Hilo, Hawaii. But, the company bottles less than 0.03% of the water source’s sustainable yield
- From source to sip, Waiākea is certified 100% carbon neutral, meaning net zero carbon emissions
Waiākea also supports the local community through its Kōkua Initiative and works with the non-profit organization Pump Aid to supply clean water to Malawi. 
Bringing Better Bottled Water to You
While it’s great that more and more people are reaching for bottled water instead of soda, the planet is paying the price for all that plastic. Luckily, there are innovative companies such as JUST, Boxed Water, Liquid Death, and Waiākea intent on doing things differently — and helping the planet in the process.
Whether it’s through sourcing local water to cut transportation emissions, rethinking packaging, or implementing upcycling programs, these companies align with the Buffalo Market ethos of choosing products that are good for you and good for the planet.
For more consumer advice and product updates, be sure to check out the rest of our blog!
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