Eco-Friendly Bottled Water: Sustainable Choices for Conscious Consumers

From long, scenic hikes in nature to office packed lunches, bottled water has long been the most simple and convenient way to carry and drink water on the go. However, eco-conscious consumers are increasingly recognising the environmental impact of some types of bottled water and looking to make more conscious choices when it comes to the bottled water brands they interact with. 

To improve your understanding of the environmental impact of bottled water and for help with choosing the more sustainable options on offer, read our guide for conscious consumers, along with our top recommendations for eco-conscious brands to invest in.

Understand the Environmental Impact of Bottled Water

While traditional plastic bottled water may seem like a harmless convenience, it contributes significantly to global pollution and carbon emissions. Most of these traditional water bottles are made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a non-biodegradable type of plastic that can take up to a thousand years to decompose. This material also requires the consumption of massive amounts of fossil fuels to extract and produces even more fossil fuels in the production process. 

Over a million PET water bottles are purchased every minute around the world, with at least 90% of these plastic bottles ending up in landfills, incinerators, or our oceans. Microplastics from degrading bottles have been found in tap water, sea salt, and even human blood. Choosing bottled water brands that use recycled materials, biodegradable packaging, and have a genuine awareness of and care for the environment enormously reduces your environmental footprint.

VOSS Water

Reducing their environmental impact whilst maintaining the highest quality of water is one of the most critical endeavours of VOSS Water, with their commitment in this integral area including water source stewardship, carbon footprint reduction, and optimised packaging. 

VOSS is recognised globally not only for its premium taste but also for its commitment to environmental responsibility. The brand offers highly eco-friendly recyclable glass bottles and, since 2021, expanded a line of 100% recycled rPET bottles, with an aim of shifting fully to glass and rPET packaging by the end of 2025. 

VOSS water is easily recognisable for its minimalist, cylindrical bottle shape, designed by Neil Kraft. The design screams elegance and helps to preserve the high quality of the water, which is sourced from an artesian aquifer deep in Vatnestrøm, southern Norway, renowned for its natural purity and low total dissolved solids (TDS). It offers a crisp, clean taste with less than 45 ppm TDS, making this water brand a pioneer of its time. 

Chilly’s Bottles

Founded in 2010 in the UK with a mission to accelerate the use and adoption of reusable water products, Chilly’s are committed to their mission of helping to end the reliance on single-use plastics. Whilst, when done right, recyclable plastic or glass water bottles such as VOSS water bottles are a perfectly sustainable choice, Chilly’s offers an alternative form of convenience to consumers, enabling them to take their water from home out and about with them on adventures.

In March 2024, Chilly’s launched products made from 90% post-consumer recycled stainless steel, aiming to reduce the environmental impact of their products. The brand also offers a Refreshed Scheme, allowing customers to return used Chilly’s products for recycling, promoting a circular economy. Chilly’s encourages customers to recycle old reusable bottles or cups from any brand in exchange for discounts on new Chilly’s purchases, fostering responsible consumer behaviour.

Chilly’s water bottles can be entirely personalised by consumers, with dozens of design choices available to choose from, ensuring every customer has a bottle that represents their personal style and preferences. Customisation options including name engraving are also available, which helps to encourage consumers to opt for sustainable choices. 

Chilly’s water bottles also come in multiple different sizes including 260ml, 350ml, 500ml, 750ml, and 1.8L, depending on each consumer’s individual needs. Smaller bottles are a great choice for commuting to work or other places where the bottle can be refilled, whereas the larger sizes are great for staying properly hydrated on longer hikes or sharing water with others.