It’s no secret that single-use plastic water bottles are major contributors to the global pollution problem, but it’s critical to understand just how significant this issue is becoming. According to the UN Environment Programme, not only are one million plastic drinking bottles purchased every minute, but half of all plastic produced is designed for single-use purposes. This has quickly led to the considerable plastic waste concerns we face today.
Luckily, as plastic pollution awareness has grown over the years, so, too, have eco-friendly solutions. One of the market’s biggest and most popular eco-friendly solutions is the production of reusable water bottles. For organizations in pursuit of reducing their environmental impact, multiple-use water bottles might be a great place to start on the road to sustainability.
Read on to learn more about the rise of reusable water bottles and how your organization can introduce eco-friendly bottled water options in the workplace.
Today, reusable water bottles are all around us. You can practically find a reusable bottle anywhere you go, from grocery stores and pharmacies to trendy boutiques. The market demand for these eco-friendly products is producing an inevitable shift from disposable plastic water bottles to reusable options. The Global Reusable Water Bottles Market is poised to grow and thrive during the forecasted period: 2022 to 2030. This growth is being propelled by:
For employers and business leaders, ensuring employees have access to clean drinking water and prioritizing sustainability are inevitably integral to the business. The introduction and expansion of the reusable water bottle have presented an important opportunity for organizations that can support both hydration and sustainability goals. This is ultimately incredibly valuable for companies, considering hydration effectively drives employee performance and 92% of consumers claim they’re more likely to trust brands that are environmentally conscious, per a report from Forbes.
Although there is much improvement to be made, society has become fully aware of our significant plastic waste issues. More people are associating single-use plastic water bottles with waste and pollution than ever before — which is posing considerable challenges for organizations in search of a proper workplace water supply. Traditionally, workplaces tended to take advantage of bottled water delivery, whether that meant the use of hefty jugs or offering employees individual disposable water bottles. However, the growing concerns surrounding plastic waste issues, along with the detrimental environmental consequences of delivery trucks and plastic bottle production, have left organizations with much to be desired in terms of their water supply.
The negative connotation associated with single-use plastic bottles is also attributed to society’s ongoing health concerns about the consumption of microplastics. Microplastics are fragments of large plastic items that have naturally been broken down in the environment. When these hazardous materials are broken down, these tiny plastic particles can be found in fish, your drinking water, and in everyday products that we constantly touch and use. Moreover, microplastics also have the ability to absorb toxic chemicals and release them into the digestive tracts of other organisms.
Overall, a report from the Public Health Coalition found the chemical substances and hazardous materials accompanying microplastics can lead to negative health consequences including:
With these risks in mind, organizations are increasingly switching from a disposable plastic bottle system to mitigate the possibility of microplastics in their workplace water supply. This is essential to encourage and support the health of employees — which is a boon to your efficiency and productivity in the long run.
While workplaces are decreasing the use of single-use plastic water bottles for the benefit of the environment and their employees, they’re not alone in initiating these changes. The shift toward environmental consciousness has been growing across the country — and across the globe as well. This collaborative approach to sustainability will prove vital to reducing our overall environmental impact moving forward.
Here are a few examples of the transformation in water bottle culture:
Considering the growing popularity of the reusable water bottle today, there are plenty of great options to consider — from Hydro Flask and Klean Kanteen to a Yeti Rambler. However, for individuals or organizations in search of the best water bottle to use at work, the copious amount of options available can be a bit overwhelming.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind to simplify your decision and find the water bottle that’s the right fit:
This also provides an excellent opportunity for organizations to offer company-branded water bottles to their team members. Employees can discern which reusable bottle material and features would be most beneficial to their employees and create the best-suited bottle for their company. This is not only a great way to promote hydration and sustainability at work, but it will also serve as a valuable way to get your company name out into the world as employees use their bottles throughout both work and their personal lives.
Making the switch to reusable water bottles is an important step in supporting eco-friendly initiatives, but to guarantee these reusable options last as long as possible it’s critical to take care of them properly. It’s easy to assume that a water bottle is always clean if you only fill it with water, but the truth of the matter is that these bottles are an ideal home for bacteria — which are prone to dark, moist environments. Disinfecting a reusable water bottle every few days will be critical to keeping it sufficiently clean — so you can sip without worry.
For employees or organizations interested in or currently using reusable options, you might be wondering how to properly clean hard plastic, aluminum, glass, or stainless steel bottles. Keep in mind, that despite the type of reusable bottle you choose, it will need to be cleaned. With several ways of doing so, here are a few options to consider:
These simple cleaning methods are an easy way to keep your reusable bottle clean and ultimately increase how long it will last you. But, what if your reusable bottle is in a bit worse condition? It’s not uncommon to experience discoloration or an off smell with your bottle if left uncared for too long. However, this doesn’t mean the end for your bottle. Giving it a deep clean can quickly bring your bottle back to life, but be sure to continue regular cleaning afterward to maintain its quality.
Overall, Americans purchase about 50 million disposable water bottles per year — which averages to about 13 bottles per month for every person in the United States. That means helping your team members switch to a reusable water bottle can save an average of 156 plastic bottles annually per employee, according to a report from Grand View Research. This reduction in your environmental impact will prove invaluable as calls for sustainability continue to grow.
At Quench, we highly support the shift away from single-use plastic in favor of more eco-friendly water options. We provide filtered water solutions through our advanced suite of bottleless water coolers. These water dispensers connect directly to your water line, giving your employees access to an endless supply of clean, fresh drinking water, eliminating the need for frequent water deliveries.
This can be an incredible advantage for organizations switching to reusable water bottle systems. With a bottleless water dispenser in your workplace, your valuable team members can continuously refill their reusable bottles whenever needed. Great-tasting, filtered water from a bottleless cooler can help your business drive hydration while supporting sustainability — ultimately leading to better business results.
Join the reusable water bottle movement and elevate your drinking water systems with a bottleless water dispenser from Quench. Try our product finder to discover the cooler that’s the right fit for your business or get a free quote to get started.