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:
Pretty bleak, right?
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:
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 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:
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.
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.
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 also supports the local community through its Kōkua Initiative and works with the non-profit organization Pump Aid to supply clean water to Malawi.
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!