Is Boxed Water Better Than Plastic Bottles?

Packaged water has become a glaring indication of our apathy towards the earth and our insatiable appetite for consumerism. Every minute, around 1.2 million single-use plastic bottles are purchased across the globe – that translates to an astonishing 20,000 containers per second!

The reality of bottled water is both a catastrophe for the environment as well as an indication of how disconnected humankind has become from nature – especially when our very existence depends on this life-giving resource.

While nations and businesses have sought to capitalize on it through privatization, vast amounts are then packaged in single-use plastics that will ultimately pollute either landfills or oceanic habitats. It isn’t hard to see why we need stronger regulation and action when it comes to protecting our planet’s vital resources.

Not only is this practice wasteful and irresponsible, but it also reinforces certain inequalities between those who can afford to buy bottled water and those who cannot. For instance, just in the US alone, it’s estimated that over 2 million people don’t have access to clean drinking water.

It’s easy for us to forget about these issues when we have such readily available access to clean drinking water at home – yet millions of people around the world don’t have that same luxury.

Amidst the plastic water bottle debate, boxed water emerged as an “eco-friendly” alternative. but is this product truly dedicated to being eco-conscious, when it still results in single-use cardboard cartons ending up in landfills?

All you need to know about “Boxed water is better”

In 2009, Boxed Water was established to offer a sustainable option to plastic water bottles. It revolutionized the market by being the first company to sell boxed water and reduced its customers’ carbon footprint significantly.

The Boxed Water Is Better company claims to provide an environmentally friendly and sustainable option for convenient drinking water. They use double-walled cardboard made from renewable, recyclable materials to package their water, reducing their carbon footprint by up to 75% compared to plastic bottles. The company also has a “Refill Not Landfill” initiative that encourages customers to refill the packaging instead of discarding it.

Boasting a 100% recyclable and BPA-free package crafted with 70% renewable materials, 20% post-consumer recycled cardboard, and 10% plastic. This company’s triple filtration system guarantees to eliminate 99.9% of all impurities for the ultimate crisp taste – you won’t be disappointed!

Benjamin Gott, the founder of “Boxed Water is Better,” claims that Boxed Waters are a whopping 90% eco-friendly and recyclable. Moreover, their carbon footprint dwarfs those of plastic bottles; with 92% regenerative capacity and partnerships with National Forests Foundation and the National Forest Service leading to more diverse tree planting initiatives.

Is packaged water a healthier choice than tap water?

While the idea of buying bottled water may have some appeal, the truth is that it’s not necessarily better in terms of quality than tap water. Most people can’t tell the difference between bottled and tap water. Furthermore, there are environmental concerns to consider with bottled water: it contributes to plastic pollution and requires energy-intensive production processes.

And when you look at the cost, it’s clear that purchasing bottled water is an expensive way to access what amounts to a public utility – you’re essentially paying more than 900 times more for something you could get from your faucet. The bottom line is that unless other factors come into play (such as safety or specific tastes), boxed water is no better than tap water.

Is boxed water a savior or culprit?

The debate around single-use plastic bottles and their sustainability has been growing in recent years. On one side, people argue that these bottles are convenient and cost-effective. On the other hand, environmentalists point out that single-use plastic bottles are a major source of plastic pollution and have a significant environmental footprint.

Enter boxed water, an alternative to traditional single-use plastic bottled water which claims to be more sustainable than its counterpart. Boxed Water is packaged in cartons made from paperboard and is said to reduce plastic pollution and carbon emissions while also making recycling easier. But is this packaging as green as it claims to be?

Carbon Footprint

Boxed Water is widely advertised as a much more sustainable alternative to single-use plastic bottles, yet the claim doesn’t quite hold up under closer scrutiny. While it’s true that their boxes are composed mostly of paper and can be recycled more easily than plastic, it’s important to consider the associated carbon footprint of shipping.

Shipping large quantities of boxed water across the world has a much larger environmental impact than simply refilling reusable water bottles locally. On top of this, the packaging itself is still made from single-use plastic, with a thin coating to make them recyclable but not reusable. Therefore, Boxed Water may provide an alternative to single-use plastics, but the environmental cost remains high.

Carton Composition

Boxed water claims to be more environmentally friendly than single-use plastic bottles, but in reality, it is just another source of plastic waste. While some of the materials used in Tetra Pak boxes are biodegradable, the layers of plastic and aluminum remain.

This means that this type of packaging still contributes to the global issue of plastic waste, which has serious health implications for both humans and wildlife. Furthermore, while the cartons provide transportation savings due to their lightweight design, they require energy-intensive processes to produce them and are not always recyclable.

Therefore, despite its green appearance, boxed water may be nothing more than a form of greenwashing that does not help reduce global plastic waste significantly.

Recyclability

The containers used for Boxed Water are technically recyclable, but only if the materials are separated first. While the cartons used for the packaging are made from up to 70% renewable resources, there is the issue of ease of recycling that needs to be taken into account.

As it stands, only a handful of facilities in the US have the specialized equipment necessary to separate and recycle composite containers like those used for Boxed Water. This means that much of this packaging will end up either in landfills or shipped off to other countries where it may go un-recycled.

Furthermore, there is an argument to be made that Boxed Water’s eco-friendly messaging is little more than greenwashing in some respects. The company claims that they are “sustainably sourced” and that its product will cause less plastic waste than traditional water bottles.

But simply switching from single-use plastic water bottles to composite cartons doesn’t reduce one’s carbon footprint in a meaningful way and could even increase it when factoring in shipping costs and emissions associated with transport. Cardboard packaging requires three times more energy than plastic packaging when accounting for transportation and other factors.

Therefore, despite its clever marketing campaigns and focus on sustainability, Boxed Water still has significant environmental drawbacks. It does not offer any substantial reductions in CO2 emissions compared to traditional water bottles, nor does it have a sustainable recycling rate due to a lack of facilities equipped to process these materials properly.

It’s easy to take for granted the abundance of safe drinking water – but this is not a given in many parts of the world. Instead of wasting precious resources on packaging and selling something that should be free, companies should be investing in improving infrastructure and providing clean sources of drinking water to those who need it most.

Packaged water should be viewed as a last resort when tap water isn’t available, not as a luxury commodity to be bought and sold like any other product.

Safe and sustainable alternatives to packaged water

As individuals become more mindful of the environmental and economic effects linked with manufacturing and disposing of plastic bottles, sustainable alternatives to buying bottled water are gaining traction.

Let us acknowledge that access to clean drinking water is a basic right and should not be commercialized; for this reason, let’s adopt eco-friendly habits to reduce our carbon footprint. Only purchase single-use packaged water during dire circumstances.

Hydro flask water bottle

Hydro Flask 24 oz Standard Mouth Water Bottle with Flex Cap or Flex Straw

Hydro Flask vacuum-insulated water bottles are the perfect companion for any season or environment. Featuring double wall vacuum insulation, these innovative and reusable bottles keep hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold for hours.

With their stainless-steel construction, Hydro Flask bottles eliminate condensation and don’t transfer heat or cold to your hands, so you can enjoy your favourite drinks anytime, anywhere. Whether you’re enjoying coffee in the morning or a refreshing beverage on a warm day, Hydro Flask will make sure your drinks stay at the perfect temperature.

The Hydro Flask Standard Mouth Bottle is an insulated stainless-steel bottle that keeps your beverages cold for up to 24 hours and hot for up to 12 hours, with double-wall vacuum insulation and TempShield technology.

Reusable glass water bottle

Using sustainable glass water bottles is an effective way to reduce plastic waste and help protect the environment. Reusable glass water bottles are also known for their durability and taste neutrality, ensuring that individuals can enjoy safe, clean drinking water day after day.

The Purifyou Premium Reusable Glass Water Bottle is an innovative and stylish way to stay hydrated. It offers convenience and portability with its handle, reusable timed container, and leak-proof cap.

purifyou Premium 40/32 / 22/12 oz Reusable Glass Water Bottles with Time and Volume Markings, Non-Slip Silicone Sleeve & Stainless Steel Lid Insert, for Water, Milk, Fruit Juice (32oz Aqua Blue)

The food-grade silicone sleeve and lid provide impact protection while adding a touch of style. This water bottle is perfect for travel, camping, hiking, the beach, or working out in the gym.

Reusable water bottle

Reduce WaterWeek Reusable Water Bottle Set, 20oz – Plastic Reusable Water Bottle Set of 5, Plus Fridge Tray – BPA-Free, Leak Proof Twist Off Cap – Trek

By using a plastic reusable water bottle, you can reduce your carbon footprint and consume eco-friendly, sustainable water. Investing in a sustainable reusable water bottle will also help to reduce your need for single-use bottles, which not only saves you money but also helps conserve natural resources.

The REDUCE Reusable Water Bottle Set is a great way to stay hydrated without having to use wasteful disposable water bottles. This eco-friendly and sustainable set includes five 20 oz refillable water bottles that are perfect for keeping you and your family hydrated at home, school, practice, or on the road.

Stainless steel water bottle

By investing in eco-friendly water bottles, like stainless steel models, we can significantly reduce our impact on the environment. These sustainable water bottles are made from up to 60% recycled content in some cases.

The Bambaw Steel Water Bottle is an excellent choice for eco-conscious consumers who want a high-quality, food-grade stainless steel bottle that will keep their water cold.

Bambaw 32 oz Water Bottle | Metal Water Bottle | Non-insulated Single Wall Stainless Water Bottle | Steel Water Bottle | Stainless Steel Water Bottles | Travel Water Bottle | 1 Liter Water Bottles

Its 18/8 stainless steel construction makes it scratch and rust-resistant and provides a lifetime of use. Plus, it’s free of plastic, making it an ideal choice for those looking to reduce their plastic consumption.

Tap water filters

CuZn UC-200 Under Counter Water Filter – 50K Ultra High Capacity – Made in USA

Using tap filters to fill bottles is an environmentally friendly and cost-effective option for those looking to reduce their plastic waste.

Tap filters can effectively eliminate up to 99% of contaminants in water supplies, ensuring water safety while eliminating the need for buying single-use packaged water.

The Waterdrop NSF Certified Tap Water Filter is an innovative product designed to give you access to clean and healthy drinking water. It is tested and certified by NSF International against both NSF/ANSI Standard 42 for the reduction of chlorine, taste, and odor, as well as NSF/ANSI 372 for lead-free material.

Final Word

We should avoid using packaged water as much as possible to conserve resources, cut down on carbon emissions, and protect our wallets. Packaged water can be extremely costly compared to tap water, which is already subsidized by the public.

Additionally, creating plastic bottles requires energy and resources that release carbon into the atmosphere while contributing to the already-pressing global environmental crisis. These water bottles will eventually be discarded in landfills or littered around our environment, further harming the planet because of their non-biodegradable nature.

Finally, we must remember that clean drinking water should not be a commodity – it is a basic human right that should not be commodified for profit. In our current situation where access to clean drinking water is limited for many people, companies should focus on improving infrastructure rather than exploiting those people simply trying to get access to safe drinking water.