As consumers in this fast-paced world we tend to purchase products because of convenience. T.V. diners, instant coffee, bottled water, all of these items share one thing in common: they’re exceptionally convenient. The problem with many of these goods, besides their health concerns, is that convenience comes at a cost. When it comes to bottled water and the production of plastics, it’s our environment that pays the price.

Consumer Dependence On Plastics

Water bottles are the most obvious of examples to consider when looking at plastic waste. When we finish a bottle of water, we do one of three things: 1) we throw it away, 2) we recycle it, or 3) we litter. Even the best of those three options, recycling, isn’t a viable solution. The resources it takes to recycle and repurpose plastic into packaging requires a high volume of energy and resources. EchoStar Recycling is one of the industry leaders in recycling. To be clear, saying recycling isn’t a viable solution is not to say it isn’t a viable option. You should always recycle, but the first goal should be reducing.

In the United States alone, it is estimated that 1500 bottles of water are used by consumers every second. The next three largest markets can be found in Mexico, Brazil, and China. But plastic water bottles are just the tip of the iceberg. What are most consumer-based water filters (Brita, PUR, Culligan) made of? How about those 5-litre jugs you see on top of office water coolers? Those are all consumables that eventually get replaced, and hopefully, recycled. So as mentioned earlier, it isn’t all about recycling, but also reduction-based solutions.

Filtered Water Coolers vs. Water Fountains, And Plastic Waste Reduction

Environmentally conscious companies are innovating products designed to provide alternative solutions for waste reduction. Drinking fountains today are designed not just for those looking for a quick sip, but for people wanting to refill their stainless steel water bottles. Such companies have been tasked with solving the problems plaguing tomorrow today; problems regarding the correlations between waste, product lifespans and cost efficiency. Replacing wasteful office coolers and filter systems that add to landfills and oceans with every refill and expiration date has evolved from a thoughtful conversation to an actionable solution. Furthermore, these environmentally-friendly drinking fountains are also making a huge difference for business owners looking to save money through optimisation.

So remember this motto and the order of these words if you’re interested in change the matters:
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Refresh.