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Bevi is on a mission to make the beverage industry more sustainable. That means eliminating single-use bottles and cans—from offices, residential spaces, gyms, hotels, warehouses, and various other commercial spaces—with machines that dispense still, sparkling, and flavored water on-demand. It means building these machines to last, engineering them to be efficient and easy to service for years to come. And it means building a circular supply chain for these machines, guaranteeing older, returned models of Bevi’s water dispensers can be evaluated and refurbished before finding a new home.

Why get a refurbished Bevi water dispenser?

1. Reduced Price Point

Refurbished Bevi machines come at a lower cost than our newer models, meaning you can enjoy still and sparkling water with four different flavors and enhancements—which help make hydration more fun and rewarding—at a more affordable price.

2. Consistent Quality

Each water dispenser in the refurbishment process goes through rigorous quality checks and meticulous testing to adhere to certification standards. While some units have very minor cosmetic blemishes, we see it as a sign of time well spent in the field reducing the need for single-use containers. (And they work just as well as newer, spotless models.)

3. Standard Warranty

Bevi offers its customers the same warranty provided for a brand new machine, assuring a reliable and safe experience with our refurbished water dispensers.

4. Same Fizz, Flavors, Fun

Even though they’re older models, refurbished Bevi water dispensers can still be loaded with the newest flavor and enhancement releases, always making hydration fresh and enjoyable. Our flavor lab recently released the (wildly popular) Blood Orange, and updated recipes for some of classics, including Lemon and Grapefruit—all of which can be stocked in a refurbished machine.

5. Same Reduction In Your Carbon Footprint

Choosing a refurbished Bevi water dispenser doesn’t mean your environmental impact will be any less. Each machine we produce can save 50,000+ bottles and cans per year (measured in 12-ounce servings). Moreover, the user interface on refurbished models is similar to newer models, featuring a real-time counter showing the number of single-use containers saved, along with its equivalent metric tons of CO2 reduced.

Why give water dispensers a second life?

Bevi’s founders knew from day one that they did not want to discard used machines. Adding trash to landfill was about as far from their goal as you could get. But they didn’t know how they would extend the lives of the returned machines, so they stored them—for nine years—in anticipation of one day launching a refurbishment program. 

The launch timing depended on several factors: having enough returned machines, a growing customer interest in refurbished products, and the company’s readiness to invest in refurbishment. (Sustainability needs to be financially viable, not just morally right, to work.)

During the pandemic, as businesses faced closures and remote work mandates, Bevi saw an unexpected surge in returned machines. These machines were often in excellent condition, providing an ample supply for a refurbishment program.

Simultaneously, Bevi was witnessing an increasing number of customers seeking cost-effective solutions due to post-pandemic financial considerations and the rise of mission-driven organizations interested in refurbished options.

Two years ago, with the bubbles aligning, the refurbishment program was launched. By offering customers a lower-cost alternative through remanufactured machines, Bevi not only underscores its commitment to the environment but also empowers consumers to be part of the circular economy movement.

Looking for more details or refurbished machines specs? Click here.

We’re drinking so.much.water.

In 2022, the average American consumed 46.5 gallons of bottled water, compared to 36 gallons of soda. This is the most ever, surpassing carbonated soft drinks for the seventh year in a row. 

But it comes at a major cost—most water is consumed from single-use plastic bottles. The production and disposal of these containers has a big impact on greenhouse gas emissions, the leading cause of climate change.

Millions of plastic containers are thrown away every day all over the world. But there are steps you can take to drink—and live—more sustainably. First, here are three main ways single-use water bottles contribute to climate change.

How Single-Use Water Bottles Contribute to Climate Change

Extraction of Fossil Fuels

Single-use water bottles are made from plastic, which is a petroleum product. The extraction and processing of petroleum releases greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere, which contribute to climate change.

Production of Plastic

The production of plastic also releases greenhouse gasses into the air. In fact, it’s responsible for about 4% of global gas emissions. The water bottling process releases 2.5 million tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere every year.

Disposal of Plastic

As you’ve noticed, single-use water bottles are often not recycled. Every year, 38 billion disposable containers (86%) end up in landfills in the US, according to the Container Recycling Institute.

When plastic breaks down in landfills, it releases methane, a greenhouse gas that is 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide.

How to Reduce the Environmental Impact of Water Bottles

Ditching the single-use plastic habit is easier said than done—it’s a behavior that permeates our lives, whether we’re at the grocery store, attending a baseball game, or stepping up to the refreshment line at the movie theater.

But there are a number of things that we can do to reduce the environmental impact of single-use water bottles, including:

Drink from a Reusable Container

This might be the simplest and most impactful change you can make. A reusable container can help you reduce your reliance on single-use bottles. There are so many different options available—find your favorite by shape, size, color, lid, or budget.

Drink Tap Water

Tap water is often a safe and reliable source of drinking water. If you live in an area with high-quality tap water, then this is a great option.

Drink Water from a Dispenser

When you’re in the office, at the gym, or on the road, filling your reusable thermos or jug from a water dispenser is a great way to get flavored, filtered, still, or sparkling water.

Recycle Plastic Water Bottles

If you do use a single-use container, make sure to recycle it. Every time you recycle, you help lessen the amount of plastic that ends up in landfills.

By making small changes in our everyday lives, we can help to reduce the environmental impact of single-use water bottles and make a difference in the fight against climate change.

But Are All Water Bottles Equally Bad?

 

Short answer: yes. Google any popular water brand and you’ll usually find a page devoted to its sustainability policy. But what does that really mean for us and the planet? 

If you check out the sustainability statements of bottled water companies such as Pure Life, Poland Springs, Dasani, or Aquafina, you’ll see they share some things in common. These brands—and about a dozen others—are owned by BlueTriton, an American beverage company that was formerly a subsidiary of Nestlé. 

BlueTriton describes itself as “a guardian of its resources and a provider of fresh water.” It is “committed to minimizing the environmental impact of our operations” while “making strides on our journey to use more recycled plastic” and “exploring new materials for alternative packaging solutions.”

According to BlueTriton, these include:

But the fact remains that even with these steps to minimize their carbon footprints, these companies crank out plastic water bottles—billions of them every year—many of which end up in landfills. That’s about as far as you can get from a sustainable business.

Who is the World’s Worst Contributor to Plastic Pollution?

But we don’t just drink water from single-use bottles. We drink a loooot of other beverages.

In fact, The Coca-Cola Company, PepsiCo and Nestlé are ranked as the world’s top plastic polluters according to Break Free From Plastic, whose latest global Brand Audit report serves as notice to companies fueling the climate crisis.

Coca-Cola has been the world’s top plastic polluter by a significant lead every year since the global brand audits began in 2018. PepsiCo has come in as the #2 top polluter

every year except 2019 when it was #3. 

With over 500 brands, Coca-Cola is the largest drinks producer in the world. It generates 3,224,000 metric tons of plastic each year and sells more than 100 billion plastic bottles every year—200,000 per minute on average.

But worst of all, most of this is thrown into the trash. Only 12% of plastic bottles in the US are recycled. This means that the vast majority of Coca-Cola’s bottles end up in landfills or incinerators.

Here’s how companies such as Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and Nestlé contribute to plastic pollution every day:

Using single-use plastic packaging.

These companies are the world’s largest producers of bottled water, snacks, and other beverages. These products are often packaged in single-use plastic containers.

Not using recycled plastic.

When these giant companies do use plastic, they often use virgin plastic, which is made from petroleum. This contributes to the extraction of fossil fuels, which is a major contributor to climate change.

Not recycling their plastic waste.

Although these corporations do recycle some of the plastic waste created in the production process, it’s estimated that only a small percentage of this waste is actually recycled. This means that most of it ends up in landfills or incinerators.

Coca-Cola said that it intends to sell at least 25% of its brands in refillable and returnable glass or plastic bottles by 2030. But it has a history of breaking promises and still has a long way to go to address the problem. Meanwhile, Coca-Cola remains one of the world’s biggest plastic polluters.

Now that you know the extent of the issue, let’s take a look at some of the solutions, starting with the term “sustainability”.

What’s a Simple Definition of Sustainability?

You’ve heard “reduce, reuse, recycle,” but what the heck is sustainability, really?

One of the best definitions of sustainability comes from something known as “The Brundtland Report” published by the United Nations in 1987.

>> Sustainability is “development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs”.

Pretty great, right? Think long term. Don’t short change the future.

We also love this one from the Environmental Protection Agency because it expands its perspective beyond human needs to include all of the natural world:

>> Sustainability is based on a simple principle: Everything that we need for our survival and well-being depends on our natural environment. To pursue sustainability is to create and maintain the conditions under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony to support present and future generations.

Yes! Humans and nature need to live in harmony.

And this one from UCLA sums it all up well:

>> Sustainability is the balance between the environment, equity, and economy.

Bottom line: Sustainability means it’s important to use our resources wisely and protect them for the long-term good of the environment and all living things.

What about Water Dispensers? Are They Better for the Environment?

Heck yeah they are. Bottled water companies, office water bubblers, and point-of-use (or “bottleless”) water dispensers have three very different approaches to sustainability.

Bottled water brands (as we just described) are the worst offenders. Some claim to limit their environmental impact throughout their production process, from water sourcing to packaging, but they are in the business of producing and selling single-use plastic.

Traditional office water bubblers are slightly better. Instead of a single serving of water, they let people refill a cup, mug, or thermos from a large, central container. It does reduce the number of individual water bottles, but it’s basically just a bigger plastic jug and it has to be delivered, usually by a big, gas-guzzling truck.

Bottleless water dispensers, on the other hand, focus on reducing the environmental impact of single-use plastic bottles by dispensing water locally. These point-of-use machines connect directly to the local water line so there’s no water delivery needed. They filter, purify, and (in some cases) flavor what comes out of the tap for the cleanest water with the smallest environmental impact.

While bottled water companies, office bubblers, and water dispensers have sustainability efforts in place, bottleless machines have a much greater potential to reduce the environmental impact of single-use plastic bottles.

If you are looking for a sustainable way to drink water at your work, gym, apartment, or hotel, a local water dispenser is a great option.

Here is a comparison of the sustainability efforts of bottled water companies and water dispensers:

 Bottled Water CompaniesBottleless Water Dispensers
Water SourcingBottled water companies often try to source their water from sustainable sources, but are doing a less-than-ideal job. For example, Pure Life is working to source its water from springs that are protected by national parks. (Is that what we want?)Bottleless water dispensers provide high-quality local tap water that is filtered and purified.
PackagingBottled water companies use mostly virgin plastic and some recycled materials in their bottles. They try to lower the impact by reducing bottle weight. For example, Aquafina has reduced the weight of its bottles by 30%.Bottleless dispensers eliminate the use of single-use plastic bottles. This can save a significant amount of plastic waste, as an office with 50 employees can use up to 7,000 plastic bottles per year.
Bottling OperationsBottled water companies actually use water to bottle water (!) but are trying to reduce their water use in their bottling operations. For example, Dasani has reduced its water use by 20%.By definition, bottleless dispensers don’t bottle water at all. They dispense local water at the source, saving water and energy used in bottling operations.
DistributionSome bottled water companies are working to reduce their carbon emissions from distribution. For example, Poland Spring is using more fuel-efficient trucks to deliver its water.Bottleless dispensers use less energy because they dispense local water. There’s no need for refrigeration or water delivery and they don’t require fuel to transport the water.

 

Besides Water Bottles, How Can We Reduce Other Plastic Pollution?

Plastic pollution is a major environmental problem, and there are many things that we can do to reduce it. Here are some of the most important steps that we can take:

Reduce our use of single-use plastics.

Single-use plastics are those that are used once and then discarded. They include items such as plastic bags, straws, and water containers. We can reduce our use of single-use plastics by bringing our own reusable bags when we go shopping, using metal straws, and drinking tap water instead of bottled water.

Recycle plastic waste.

When we recycle plastic, it is converted into new products, which helps to reduce the amount of plastic that ends up in the environment. We can recycle plastic by sorting our waste and placing plastic items in the recycling bin.

Support businesses that are committed to reducing plastic pollution.

There are many businesses taking steps to reduce their use of plastic. We can support them by shopping there and letting them know we appreciate their efforts.

Shop Without Plastic and Blueland offer sustainable alternatives to disposable products. Brands such as Patagonia, Allbirds, and Seventh Generation are well-known for their environmentally friendly practices.

Get involved in advocacy efforts.

There are many organizations that are working to reduce plastic pollution. We can get involved in these efforts by volunteering our time, donating money, or signing petitions.

For example, you can get action alerts from Food and Water Watch, Open Space Institute, and Oceana, just three of many organizations dedicated to saving the planet.

Avoid buying products that are packaged in plastic.

If you do buy products that are packaged in plastic, choose products that are made from recycled plastic.

Educate yourself about plastic pollution.

The more you know about the problem, the more likely you are to take steps to reduce it. Learn more at sites such as Break Free From Plastic, Water.org, Clean Water Action, Ellen MacArthur Foundation, and Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS). This blog post is a good start!

Talk to your friends and family about plastic pollution.

The more people who are aware of the problem, the more likely we are to find solutions.

There’s no time to waste. By following these tips, we can help to reduce plastic pollution, protect the environment, and create a more sustainable future for all.

Learn how you can help unbottle the future at Bevi.co.

This Earth Day, we want to shine a spotlight on our Bevi community, whose dedication to our mission to ‘unbottle the future’ has made a lasting impact. Together, we’ve managed to save a whopping 350 million 12 oz. plastic bottles (and counting) from hitting the landfills. 

Need a visual to really get the gist? If you stacked all 350 million bottles that have been saved from the landfill end-to-end, it would be nearly as long as 16 cross country trips from Boston to San Francisco! 

But, what does this really mean in the grand scheme of things? It’s not just about choosing Bevi for your hydration needs. We’re  working to completely disrupt the bottled water industry: from the plastic used to make each bottle to the amount of crude oil needed to develop that plastic in the first place. 

Curious to understand why choosing a Bevi machine over plastic bottles makes such a big difference?

The lifecycle of a plastic water bottle, and how Bevi is disrupting the supply chain

The creation of plastic bottles is a resource-intensive process. Let’s take a deeper look at what resources are used to create a single plastic bottle, and how that relates back to Bevi’s mission.

It all begins with raw material extraction

Plastic bottles are typically created from polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a type of plastic derived from petroleum and natural gas. Extracting these fossil fuels from the Earth takes large amounts of drilling and mining, which can result in habitat destruction, water pollution, and the release of greenhouse gasses. 

Did you know it takes 4 oz of this crude oil to create just one plastic water bottle? That means, since Bevi’s establishment, our machines have helped to prevent the extraction of 1.4 trillion ounces of oil from the Earth.

Sneaky and harmful transportation costs

 

The transportation of plastic water bottles comes with a hefty environmental price tag. Once the bottles are manufactured, they must be transported to bottling plants where they are filled with water, often sourced from faraway locations. 

This process requires substantial amounts of energy and generates considerable carbon emissions due to the fuel consumed by the trucks, ships, and planes responsible for moving these products around the planet. 

Additionally, the long distances traveled by these vehicles contribute to air pollution, traffic congestion, and greenhouse gas emissions, all of which negatively affect the environment and contribute to climate change.

Yet with every pour from a Bevi dispenser, we’re slowly but surely changing behaviors and reducing demand for plastic. 350 million glasses of Bevi water equals  21.7 billion grams of CO2 that have been saved from the atmosphere thanks to our dedicated customers and end users.

Off to the landfill they go

 

When a plastic water bottle is casually tossed away, it embarks on a long, often destructive journey with significant environmental consequences.

If not properly recycled, the bottle can end up in a landfill, where it may take centuries to break down, leaching toxic substances into the ground and water sources.

Even worse, countless plastic bottles are improperly disposed of, ending up in our rivers, lakes, and oceans. In these environments, they degrade into microplastics, which are then consumed by marine life, threatening their health and well-being. This not only threatens the health and well-being of marine animals, but also has implications for the entire food chain, including those who enjoy eating seafood.

The ingestion of these microplastics can have a cumulative effect over time, with potential long-term health consequences that are not yet fully understood. It’s alarming to consider that these tiny particles can now be found throughout the food chain and in our own bodies.

Want to learn more about microplastics? Check out our blog post on the topic here.

So remember, when you choose Bevi over bottles, you’re helping to keep all of the world’s living creatures healthy (and healthily hydrated).

Ready to join us in our mission to save the planet?

Let’s continue to celebrate and promote eco-conscious decisions, as every ounce of plastic saved truly makes a world of difference for our planet and future generations.

If you’re inspired by the idea of creating a greener and more sustainable planet, consider getting a Bevi machine for your office or commercial space. Together, we can create a brighter, cleaner, and healthier future for our Earth—one delicious sip at a time.

Happy Earth Day!

With the general population caring more than ever about climate change due to rising temperatures and heavily-polluted air, many businesses are beginning to implement eco-friendly practices into their daily operations, and we predict this will continue in 2023 and beyond. 

Going green in the workplace has tremendous benefits. It can cut business costs, increase worker productivity, boost morale, and of course, help save the environment. 

Need another good reason to implement more sustainable practices? Take a look at your competition. Next Energy Technologies found that out of the 200 companies they surveyed, 33% reported losing business to their competitors because of insufficient climate practices.

Sustainability efforts can also impact your hiring practices. According to a new report from Handshake, a career resource platform, nearly two-thirds of 1,800 respondents stated that they were more likely to apply to a job that committed to sustainable practices.

So, what can you do to make your workplace more sustainable? We’ve highlighted 14 tips below: 

1. Implement a recycling and composting program (and educate employees on best practices)

With plastic production expected to triple by 2050, one of the most important ways you can help the environment today is by ensuring you recycle the right way at work. 

Place recycling bins next to your trash bins and clearly label what can and cannot be recycled. For example, most recycling services accept plastic bottles, beverage cans, and flattened cardboard. Check out this comprehensive Recycling 101 guide by WM for more details on how to properly recycle. 

Along with recycling, your workplace (and the planet) can benefit significantly from a composting program. Luckily, setting up an effective system for composting at work is a lot quicker and easier than you think. Plus, it’s a great way to get the whole office working together for the common good. 

You can read our blog post about composting at work here. 

It’s also helpful to send out a refresher email every now and then to keep employees up-to-date on best recycling and composting practices.

2. Switch to a smart water cooler for your beverage needs

Another great step towards a sustainable business? Switching from single-use bottles and cans to a Bevi machine. The bottled beverage industry is arguably the most environmentally wasteful in the world, as billions of plastic bottles are produced yearly in the U.S. alone.

Bevi is committed to designing and supporting the best possible products to replace single-use bottles and cans, with every Bevi machine saving 30,000+ bottles and cans per year. Today, Bevi smart water dispensers have saved the waste generated by over 300 million plastic bottles.

With delicious flavors made from natural extracts and no artificial ingredients, your workplace will enjoy a personalized hydration experience while keeping harmful, non-biodegradable plastics out of the oceans and landfills.

3. Buy sustainable office furniture

Just like fast fashion, fast furniture is also taking a toll as cheaper, flimsier couches, tables, and chairs end up in landfills more often than their sturdier counterparts.

If you’re considering replacing your office furniture or perhaps furnishing a new space, search through popular reselling networks like Nextdoor or Facebook Marketplace for gently used office chairs, desks, and light fixtures. If buying new is a must, check out some of our favorite sustainable brands, like The Citizenry and West Elm. 

To learn other ways you can furnish your workplace with sustainability in mind, check out this blog post

4. Buy office snacks in bulk to cut down on packaging 

Office snacks are always a hit amongst employees, but the unnecessary waste produced by plastic and cardboard packaging can quickly add up. 

Try buying your office snacks in bulk containers to cut down on unnecessary single-use packaging. Go even greener by encouraging employees to portion out their servings using reusable cups or small bowls.

5. Buy eco-friendly and responsibly-sourced coffee

Though it’s a must-have perk for many offices, not all coffee is created equal. Considering that 53% of Americans drink at least one cup of joe a day, switching to an eco-friendly, fair-trade coffee brand can have a significant environmental impact. 

If your office uses a single-serve coffee machine that takes disposable pods, shop for fully recyclable capsules from a sustainable brand like Larry’s Coffee.

6. Invest in reusable silverware and dinnerware

If your workplace enjoys the occasional catered lunch or employees bring in their own meals, it’s a great idea to invest in reusable silverware and dinnerware to prevent more plastic from entering landfills. 

In addition to the usual forks, knives, and spoons, it’s also helpful to have a set of reusable serving utensils on hand, rather than relying on the disposable utensils provided by the catering company.

7. Invest in a TerraCycle box for snack wrappers 

Even with bulk snack options in the office, sometimes it’s just more convenient to stock up on individually wrapped treats. In that case, investing in a TerraCycle Zero Waste Box™ is the way to go. All candy and snack wrappers that are collected through the Zero Waste Box solution get sorted and processed into raw materials that are used to make new products.

Although these boxes are on the pricier side, they’re an extremely worthwhile investment if your workplace goes through single-serving snacks like nobody’s business.

8. Implement a “Bring your own water bottle” policy

Considering that the average American spends $260 a year on single-use bottles, bringing your own bottle, tumbler, or coffee mug to work is one of the easiest and healthiest eco-initiatives to institute in the office. Pair this policy with a smart water cooler, and you’re well on your way to a greener workplace!

 This initiative will not only reduce the plastic waste in your office, but will also boost productivity and encourage employees to swap out sugary canned drinks for something more hydrating.

9. Install a bike rack to encourage sustainable commuting

With road vehicles accounting for roughly 74.5% of global transport emissions, encouraging more sustainable commutes should be a top priority. 

A bike rack is a relatively easy, one-time investment that can have a huge impact on how your employees commute to work. Biking is a great way to stay healthy, and your office building will play a vital role in protecting the planet at the same time. 

Want to encourage sustainable commuting even more? Take this tip one step further by offering commuting stipends for regular bike maintenance, safety equipment, and replacement

10. Donate or recycle old office electronics

Have you recently purchased new laptops, TVs, or keyboards for the office? It’s probably a good time to get rid of the old stuff to make room for the new. Most electronics are made from valuable resources and materials — such as plastic, glass, and metals — that require significant energy to process and manufacture. 

Do your part to conserve natural resources and reduce air pollution by recycling those old computer monitors sitting in your company storage unit. If your electronics are still in good condition, consider donating them to a local thrift store or charity instead. 

11. Use recycled copy paper

With more people choosing digital over physical copies, there’s a lot less paper being used in the office today. Even still, there will always be a need for physical printouts. 

Switching to recycled paper has many environmental benefits–from protecting our vulnerable forests to trimming the overall energy and water consumption used by logging machinery. Plus, nowadays recycled copy paper looks and feels identical to its non-recycled counterparts. Your employees won’t notice a difference, but the planet certain

12. Add biodegradable trash bags to the kitchen

When we think about recycling and composting, we typically think of what gets stuffed inside garbage bags, but what about the bags themselves?

Luckily, there are eco-friendly trash bags made from plant-based materials that break down much quicker than traditional bags—only a few short weeks compared to hundreds of years. Some of our favorite compostable trash bags include these bags from HoldOn and AirCover’s 8-12 gallon biodegradable trash bags.

13. Install water-saving fixtures in the kitchen and bathrooms

If it’s been a while since your office bathroom and kitchen faucets have been replaced, it may be time to invest in some high-quality, water-efficient fixtures to decrease water consumption. 

When shopping around, search for WaterSense-labeled faucets and faucet accessories. These faucets help save water by reducing the sink’s average flow rate without sacrificing performance. 

Another water-saving tip is to avoid pre-rinsing your dishes before loading them into the office dishwasher. Not only does this waste water, but it’s been proven that pre-rinsing dishes can actually prevent your dishwasher from doing its job properly.

14. Limit thermostat use whenever possible 

Instead of keeping the workplace as cold as the company fridge, try setting your air conditioning system at 72 degrees Fahrenheit. If your workplace is still comfortable at this level, try going up another degree or two. Take advantage of the outside breeze by opening up the windows if the weather allows. 

The higher your thermostat reads in the summer months, the more energy — and money — you’ll save in the long run.

Let’s all work together to make the workplace more sustainable

Sustainability is a daily practice that compounds over time, so we recommend starting slow and steady. Begin by taking a look around your workplace and finding areas where you can implement a few of the tips we’ve mentioned above. Perhaps it’s switching out those cases of water for a more eco-friendly beverage option, or it’s starting a company-wide composting initiative. 

What sustainable workplace practice are you looking to carry out first? Share your thoughts with us on our Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and TikTok!

 

The beginning of a new year is a time for celebration, reminiscing, and of course—a time for setting positive intentions as we gear up for another 365 days on our miraculous (but fragile) planet Earth. 

If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to become more eco-friendly and make greener choices, let’s look at a few small changes you can make that will add up to a larger ecological impact over the course of 2023.

Without further ado, here is how to be more eco friendly

1. Buy a reusable water bottle

 

Switching out cases of water for a reusable bottle is a great first step towards reducing your plastic footprint in 2023.

It’s estimated that on average, Americans spend $260 a year on single-use water bottles to fulfill their hydration needs. By switching to a reusable water bottle, you’ll not only save money in the long run, but you’ll also be eliminating single-use plastics from entering the landfill. 

When shopping for a reusable water bottle, you have quite a few options to choose from. If drinking more water is a goal for you in 2023, search for a bottle that you know you’ll reach for, such as the Hydro Flask 32-Ounce Wide Mouth Bottle that features a flexible straw lid for easy sipping. For a budget-friendly option, we also love Ello’s Cooper Stainless Steel Water Bottle.

2. Encourage your place of work to buy a bottleless water dispenser

 

If you work somewhere that frequently stocks the fridge with cases of Poland Springs and LaCroix seltzer, consider reaching out to your office manager about switching to a smart water cooler like Bevi

In addition to reducing your carbon footprint and saving around 30,000 plastic bottles a year with a Bevi machine, your workplace can save on beverage costs, too. On average a glass of water from the Bevi machine costs less than half of what you’d pay for bottled water. Plus, Bevi offers a variety of delicious flavors made from all-natural ingredients, such as Peach Mango, Strawberry Lemongrass, and Coconut. You can even add enhancements to your beverage like Immunity and Caffeine! 

With over 48,000 possible drink combinations, you and your coworkers will enjoy a personalized hydration experience while keeping harmful, non-biodegradable plastics out of the oceans.

3. Use your own travel cup at your local coffee shop

 

How to be more eco-friendly this year? Ditch the disposable cups and straws.

Though many coffee shops paused their reusable cup programs during the COVID-19 pandemic, some of them are now making a full comeback. This is great news considering the United States alone uses 130 billion disposable cups a year, including coffee cups. In addition to being made from materials that harm our planet, these cups also take a lot of energy to manufacture, leading to more harmful emissions in the air. 

Many large coffee chains such as Starbucks and Peet’s Coffee offer $0.10 discounts to those who bring in their own clean, reusable cups. It may not seem like much, but if you enjoy stopping for a coffee a few times a week, these costs do add up. Plus you’ll be helping out the planet one cup of coffee or tea at a time. 

It’s worth noting that not every coffee shop allows customers to bring in their own reusable cups, so we recommend reaching out to your favorite store first to confirm! 

4. Bring reusable bags to the grocery store

 

There’s a good reason why many communities are implementing plastic bag bans. Not only do plastic bags spoil the landscape and harm our marine life with their non-biodegradable properties, but they’re also flimsy and can’t hold as many groceries compared to reusable alternatives. 

When researching reusable bags, consider your own shopping needs. If you tend to buy a lot of groceries each week, go with a bag that offers plenty of space and can hold all your heavy ingredients without worry, such as CleverMade’s Collapsible LUXE Tote. If you own a sewing machine and want to get crafty, you can make your own bags in fun fabrics and colors!

5. Ditch the straws (or invest in reusable ones)

 

Next time you’re out for drinks or grabbing an iced coffee at your local coffee shop, ask the bartender or the barista to skip the straw. If you rely on straws because of a disability, you can buy a reusable straw made out of stainless steel, bamboo, or glass to bring with you on-the-go. Look for straws that are collapsible and come with a carrying case for extra convenience!

6. Switch to shampoo and conditioner bars

 

Not-so-fun-fact: plastic shampoo and conditioner bottles can take up to 450 years to decompose once they hit the landfill. We may love the convenience of picking up a bottle of shampoo from the grocery store shelves, but these containers are damaging to our planet. 

By switching to shampoo and conditioner bars, you could assist in keeping 15 bottles out of landfills per year. Plus, many shampoo bars on the market are paraben-free, cruelty-free, and gentle for all hair types. 

If you’re looking to make the switch but unsure where to begin, take a look through The Earthling Co’s line of shampoo and conditioner bars to find what works best for you!

7. Experiment with different modes of transportation to get around town

 

With carbon levels at their highest in human history, it’s all hands on deck to cut our greenhouse gas emissions. One way you can do this in 2023 is by choosing more sustainable modes of transportation. 

The concept of sustainable transportation looks a bit different for everyone, especially considering varying commuting types and living environments. For example, if you live in a large city with multiple transportation options, consider a bike-rental program in the warmer months while taking the subway or bus in the winter.

If you have a long commute to your place of work and your town doesn’t have much public transit, try carpooling with a coworker to reduce the number of cars on the road.

8. Cut down on online shopping to decrease packaging waste

 

While online shopping is super convenient, the amount of packaging waste produced each year is staggering. One report alleges that in 2021, Amazon generated over 300 million kilograms of plastic packaging. If all of this waste were laid out, it would circle the Earth more than 800 times. Yikes. 

So, what can you do to help? Spend more time in physical stores and less time adding things to your virtual shopping cart. In addition to cutting down on unnecessary bubble wrap and air-pillows, you’ll also find more enjoyment from browsing the aisles and window shopping with friends and family. 

Of course, there may be times when online shopping is the easier option, especially if you’re in a time crunch or don’t have the ability to travel to your favorite retailers. In this case, save your cardboard boxes and bubble wrap for future use. They may come in handy if you have to ship fragile items or are planning a big move.

9. Use natural light as much as possible

 

Let’s face it–nobody enjoys ripping into the envelope that holds their electric bills each month. In the age of convenience and smart technology, we tend to use up a lot of power to complete our day-to-day tasks. 

One way to combat a high electricity bill and be more environmentally conscious is to use natural light whenever possible. Open up your blinds and pull back your curtains on sunny days to avoid using artificial light. If the weather is nice and you want to save even more money (and energy!), open your windows to cool down your home instead of reaching for the fan or air conditioner. 

10. Shop at bulk-food stores

 

Research shows that 14 million tons of plastic packaging for food products end up in our oceans each year. This includes the packaging we typically see on grocery store shelves such as corrugated boxes holding our favorite cereal and pasta, plastic jars filled with nuts and legumes, and bags of coffee beans. 

Whenever possible, try buying these items in bulk or at a package-free store where you can bring your own reusable containers. Plus, you’re less likely to overspend or waste products if you only purchase the quantities you need.

11. Buy second-hand clothes

 

When we think of “going green” we typically think of cutting down on single-use plastic and reducing our carbon emissions. But what about the fashion industry? It turns out that nearly 10% of microplastics dispersed into our oceans each year come from textiles. On top of that, it’s estimated that the average American consumer disposes of 81.5 pounds of clothing each year. 

So, what can you do to fight the fast-fashion industry? Shop second-hand whenever you are in the market for a new article of clothing. Not only will this extend the product’s life-cycle, but you’ll also be slowing down the rate of excessive consumption—meaning much less waste in the landfill. 

12. Purchase eco-friendly cleaning supplies

 

Engaging in a productive cleaning session over the weekend can leave you and your home feeling great, but it can also create a lot of waste. Between paper towels, plastic bottles, and chemicals that need to be handled carefully, it’s not always an environmentally-friendly endeavor. 

It doesn’t have to be that way, though. There are now alternatives for most of the classic cleaning supplies you keep under the kitchen sink. Check out EcoWatch’s friendliest cleaning supplies of 2022, where they offer suggestions for multi-purpose cleaners, glass cleaners, dish soaps, and even reusable “paper” towels. 

Ready to go green this year?

Every decision made with sustainability in mind really adds up to protecting our future, and we’ll be right there with you next year doing our best to care for each other and the environment. 

Have any sustainable resolutions of your own to add to the list? We’d love to hear from you on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or LinkedIn!

One component of the return to office plan that people may be taking for granted is their commute. Not necessarily the pros and cons of commuting versus working from home but the actual method by which they’ll get to work. However they made their way to the office in the past is probably how they’re planning to get there once again, and that’s why now is the time to encourage sustainable commuting. It will take some time to get used to going back into the office, but once we do, it’s likely we’ll fall into old habits unless we start encouraging each other to make our commutes more sustainable right now. 

If you think employees won’t be open to it, consider this research that found that just over 70% of working people want their commutes to be more sustainable. The challenge is that they still rank time and convenience as more important than sustainability so, in order to make the math work for your employees, it will be necessary to incentivize cleaner commutes until it becomes a habit.

To get started, here are six things you can do right now to encourage more sustainable commuting.

Gamify the commute

By now we’ve all participated in a step challenge or two. While the weather cooperates, help employees form a habit of walking or biking part of the way to work. The winner of the step or pedal challenge could be rewarded with a sustainable gift like a work bag made from recycled materials or a reusable water bottle.

Tout the health benefits of walking and biking

We all need a nudge from time to time to keep up active lifestyles and fit in a workout where we can. With its neutralizing effect on stress, exercise is a great tool to keep your employees happy and healthy. Whether that’s standing desks, encouraging each other to take the stairs instead of the elevator, or hosting wellness activities like a yoga class on-site, opportunity, encouragement and accountability are important for any wellness journey. 

Another way to meet health goals is by walking or biking to work. Remind your team that it’s a great way to clear your mind at the start of the day or to kick off the transition from work back into personal time in the evening.

Subsidize clean commuting

For those putting miles on their walking shoes or bicycle tires, offer stipends for gear, safety equipment, or just fun swag. If employees live outside walking or cycling range, subsidize monthly bus or train passes. Over a three-year period, MIT was able to reduce on-campus parking by 15% by offering free public transportation to work.

Make it easier to transition from an active commute

Providing amenities like secure bike storage, lockers, and shower kits will allow employees to fully embrace the active commute without worrying what they’ll do once with exercise equipment once they get to work. Removing these barriers removes excuses for not making the sustainable choice and also shows your entire organization that you’re committed to going green in every way that you can.

Build in no-commute days

We’ve all enjoyed some aspects of remote work, but we also know that in-person collaboration can be more effective for certain team assignments. One way to take employee cars off the road and ease the transition back into the office is by instituting no commute days where employees have the option to work from home. A study in New Zealand found that after reducing their work schedule to four days per week, employees felt less stressed and more satisfied with their work. It’s a win-win for your team and the environment.

If a car is a must

In some cases, walking, biking, or busing isn’t feasible. If that’s the case for you, and a car is a must, there are still strategies to make your commute more sustainable. For starters, avoid commuting during rush hour. Not only will you be less stressed while in the car, but you’ll spend less time sitting in traffic burning gas and emitting carbon dioxide. Another way to reduce emissions and the number of cars on the road is by carpooling. If no one in your office is going your way, try the Moovit app to connect with other commuters. Finally, next time you’re in the market for a new vehicle, consider one that doesn’t consume fossil fuels. The more gas guzzlers we can retire, the better!

The sustainable commute starts now

With carbon levels at their highest in human history, it’s all hands on deck to audit our lifestyles and cut our carbon emissions. One opportunity that’s presented itself with the return to the office is rethinking how we commute. Greener commutes won’t always be the most convenient option, but if we all commit to sharing the burden of caring for the environment, we’ll find personal positives for ourselves and common benefits for the climate.

How are you thinking about making your return to the office more sustainable? We’d love to hear from you on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or LinkedIn!

Earth Day is coming up on April 22nd, and every year it’s a good reminder to reflect on the ways your office can help the environment. At Bevi, it’s not just about the plastic we save with our smart water dispensers. It’s about all the ways we recycle and reuse and approach things with a lens of sustainability. 

As you get resituated in your office, take this opportunity to evaluate your environmental impact and see if any of our methods inspire you. Here are 10 simple ways to get started.

Reduce everyday plastic use

One of our favorite ways to reduce plastic use is with reusable water bottles. Why not welcome back your team with a sustainable gift like this? Another way to reduce plastic dependency is to implement reusable bags, containers, and cutlery where you’ve previously used plastic.

Volunteer outside

As the weather improves, what better way to spend time with coworkers and enjoy the sunshine than by cleaning up a park or a beach in your community? Cutting down on waste is the ultimate goal, but we still need to keep our green spaces and waterways clear of the waste we’ve already created.

Incentivize sustainable commuting

Another benefit of temperate weather is the ability to commute to the office on foot or bike. If it’s a bit far to your office for either of those methods, consider subsidizing public transportation passes or setting up carpools among colleagues.

Support your local farmers

Instead of ordering online or shopping at a national grocery chain, get to know your local fruit and vegetable options. Shopping locally is a great way to lessen your climate footprint as it eliminates emissions associated with transportation.

If you want to make your shopping even greener, some of the most sustainably-farmed food includes beans, lentils, and vegetables like broccoli or green peas. 

Buy in bulk

There are some office snacks that you can’t get at the local farmer’s market, but you can still obtain them in a sustainable way. Buy in bulk or at a package-free store where you can bring your own reusable containers and cut down on unnecessary single-use packaging.

Reduce energy consumption in the office

It might not seem like a big deal, but computers and other appliances use energy even while they’re idle. Unplug after work and before leaving for the weekend to cut off these energy vampires. Another way to reduce energy consumption in the office is by opening window shades to allow natural light to illuminate your workspace. 

Invest in eco-friendly cleaning supplies

Spring cleaning is a great way to bring fresh new energy to the office, but it can also create a lot of waste. Between paper towels, plastic bottles, and chemicals that need to be handled carefully, it’s not always an environmentally-friendly endeavor. 

It doesn’t have to be that way, though. There are now alternatives for most of the classic cleaning supplies you keep under the kitchen sink. In EcoWatch’s friendliest cleaning supplies of 2022, they offer suggestions for multi-purpose cleaners, glass cleaners, dish soaps, and even reusable “paper” towels.  

Transition to a bottleless water dispenser

Join over 4,000 companies that have installed a Bevi water dispenser and helped save over 250 million plastic water bottles. Our new Standup 2.0 lets you choose still or sparkling water, mix multiple flavors, and top off any drink with an enhancement like electrolytes or caffeine. Hydrating happily has never been easier.

Optimize your recycling program

With plastic production expected to triple by 2050 and over 50 billion plastic bottles already sold each year, one of the most important ways you can help the environment today is by making sure you’re recycling the right way at work. Here are some easy ways to supercharge your office recycling program:

Set up a composting program

The benefits of composting include reducing food waste, cutting methane emissions, improving soil health, conserving water, and creating natural fertilizer. To get started at your office, make a plan for storage and collection, find out what can and can’t be composted, and educate your coworkers on the benefits of keeping organic materials out of the landfill. For more frequently asked questions and information about setting up a compost program at work, check out our blog post How to compost at work.

How will you help the environment this Earth Day?

Sustainability is a daily practice that compounds over time, and what better day to start helping the environment than Earth Day? We’d love to hear how your office is celebrating. Get in touch on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or LinkedIn

We’ve already discussed how to stay green and clean when you return to the office. We’ve also covered eating healthy and staying hydrated and the impact these can have on your health, your work, and the environment. There’s one more piece of the pie, though, if you really want to take your office sustainability to the top.

We’re talking about composting at work. The US Department of Agriculture estimates food waste at between 30-40% of the food supply. What’s worse is that sending organic materials to the landfill instead of the compost pile actually contributes to greenhouse gas production. I know I’ve felt a little guilty cleaning out the fridge and sending uneaten greens and overripe fruit into the garbage so let’s talk about the best way to compost this food and make your office even greener.

Setting up an effective system for composting at work is a lot quicker and easier than you think, and it’s a great way to get the whole office working together for a common good. Let’s dive in!

The benefits of composting

In addition to the weight it lifts off your conscience, there are many tangible benefits to the compost your office will produce. The National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) counts these among the main benefits of composting:

Not only is processing food waste costly from a financial perspective, but when this organic matter gets buried beneath plastic and other trash, it’s forced to undergo anaerobic decomposition rather than the aerobic process that occurs in a compost bin. The lack of oxygen in the former leads to gaseous byproducts like methane and carbon dioxide, two of our most notorious greenhouse gases.

Ready to start your office’s own composting program or to compost better than you already are? Here’s some composting 101 to get you moving in the right direction.

How to set up a compost program at work

Make a Plan

Get an idea of how much food waste your office produces on a weekly basis. Ask yourself how many collection bins it will take to hold them. Consider where you’ll put the bins so that they’re convenient enough to form a habit for your team but are still a bit out of the way. 

Next, you’ll want to figure out how your compost will be collected. Unless your office is on the scale of an Etsy or a Bloomberg, you likely don’t have a garden on the roof where you can implement your own full-cycle compost system. That’s ok, neither do we! Look into whether or not your city offers curbside pickup or if a nearby community garden allows dropoff during working hours. Composting is happening all around you (even in urban settings), and these community groups will be happy to help you get started. 

What can you compost?

The general rule of thumb is that anything that’s grown in the ground can be returned there via compost. For the office, this includes:

What can’t you compost?

Though some of these things do break down eventually and won’t harm your compost, it’s best to steer clear of items that produce odor problems or attract pests. These include but aren’t limited to: 

Won’t it stink up the office and other compost questions

If you’re concerned about unpleasant smells pervading the office kitchen or the potential to attract pests, make some space in the freezer. Placing reusable bins in there will prevent decomposition until your food waste is off-site. No room in the freezer? Consider a bucket with a screw top to keep smells in and everyone’s nose happy.

If you’re worried about employees buying in to a new program, go out of your way to educate them on the benefits of composting and how simple it is for them to participate. Post photos of what’s accepted and what’s not next to the compost bins. Check-in with a few people at a time to make sure everyone knows what to do and why they’re doing it.

Make it easy, and make it fun! If you’re already conserving energy and water and recycling conscientiously, show your team that this is just another pillar in your company’s sustainable culture.

On a scale of 1-10, how excited are you to compost?

If we’ve properly demystified common composting questions, you’re hopefully on your way to form your office’s compost coalition right now. Depending on who your compost partners turn out to be, inquire if there’s a chance to collect mature compost from time to time to hand out to employees. Being able to use nutrient-rich compost in their own gardens really drives home the benefits of making the effort to compost in the first place.


Any questions about how to compost at your office? We’d love to hear from you on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or LinkedIn!

When it comes to choosing an apartment, considerations like location and price range will vary for everyone, but there are some essential boxes that need to be checked no matter where you live. Limited noise is important when it comes to having a restful home environment. Reliable security also contributes to peace of mind. And hey, it doesn’t hurt to be near a grocery store, restaurant, or entertainment options that you really like.

Once these basic needs are met, it’s also important to evaluate the perks and amenities that are a cut above the basics that we’ve come to expect from any apartment complex. Extras like soundproof walls, video doorbells, and lounge space. While these examples are all great, and no one would necessarily turn them down, not every tenant will find them essential and use them every day. The one thing we do know that everyone needs and appreciates is quality water options. 

That’s why a flavored sparkling water dispenser is one apartment amenity that you might not have thought you needed, but once you have it, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it. Let’s look at why Bevi in particular is a gamechanger for your apartment building’s amenity floor or lounge.

Undeniable health benefits

A study on perks that workers want in communal spaces found that air, lighting, and water quality were the three most important factors when it comes to wellness. As more and more people begin to spend their working hours in their apartment buildings, it’s time to transfer some of the conventional wisdom of the workplace to these new hybrid living/working environments.

As the study indicates, when people are looking to improve their health, increasing water intake is often among the first steps. That’s because it flushes toxins that can prevent our bodies from mounting adequate immune responses to the bugs and viruses that can pass from neighbor to neighbor. With benefits like that, we’d all like to be drinking more water, and it’s often a matter of access and convenience that steers us toward unhealthy beverages in the vending machine.

Tech that fits in with the rest of your gadgets

It seems like every time we go to replace an older electronic device, the new models are smarter than they used to be. It’s not just phones and tablets upgrading annually. Everything from lightbulbs to thermostats are now responsive to mobile apps. 

These gadgets are no longer just nice-to-haves at home. In a National Multifamily Housing Council survey of more than 350,000 renters, 51% of renters said they wanted an apartment with an internet-enabled fridge. This amenity was preferred over traditional options like a fireplace, stacked washer and dryer, and even a fully furnished apartment.

With Bevi’s smart water dispensers, touchless technology comes standard. Any phone can access the menu via a QR code and then customize beverages, calculate environmental impact, and display nutritional info.

Hydrated people make better neighbors

People that are dehydrated are more likely to have lower energy, get irritated, and lose focus during the day. All of these factors can contribute to friction with roommates and neighbors that turn everyday conversations into arguments.

It’s not just about avoiding conflict. An amenity like a filtered water dispenser that’s shared safely can also lead to more fun and camaraderie between neighbors. Much like the water cooler in an office, a Bevi in your building leads to more opportunities to get to know your neighbors. Don’t believe us? Try adding our flavored sparkling water to your next building-wide cocktail party.

It makes your property more sustainable

As the health of the planet becomes an increasingly important matter, a lot of us made sustainable resolutions for the new year. An easy place to start is by reducing your reliance on single-use plastic bottles. Bevi users have diverted over 200 million bottles from the landfill, not to mention the resources required for labor and transportation. 

As we move toward a greener future, it’s important to keep up this momentum every time we refill a reusable bottle. This not only keeps the environment happy, but it also means less plastic for you to drag to the curb on recycling day!

Why do you need Bevi at your property?

The health, technology, and social benefits speak for themselves. So much so that we barely touched on all the delicious flavors like blackberry lime and strawberry lemongrass you can choose from with a Bevi water dispenser. Ready to find out more about that and the other benefits that come with a bottleless water dispenser in your building? Get in touch to find out more.

When I was a little kid impatiently awaiting Santa’s arrival, I didn’t fully appreciate what my parents were doing by foregoing traditional wrapping paper for eco-friendly gift wrap.

It wasn’t until I got a little older and the holiday season grew to encompass more important things than gifts that I realized just how much wrapping paper we’d go through in one year, and what my parents were trying to do by not adding to that pile. Just thinking about the trash accumulated on that one morning in our household let alone our neighborhood, our city, and the rest of the world is an eye-popping amount of waste. In fact, it’s estimated that Americans alone throw out an additional 25 million tons of garbage during the holidays!

Now I know my parents were on to something with their recycled wrapping (not to mention the fact that it could then itself be recycled), and it’s a tradition I continue today. So before you buy another roll of glossy wrapping paper, check out these eight ideas for sustainable gift wrap this holiday season. 

1. Reuse newspapers and cardboard boxes

Photo by AbsolutVision

Physical newspapers aren’t as commonly delivered as they used to be, but that doesn’t mean you can’t use other recyclable paper or packaging to disguise your gifts. Magazines, cardboard boxes, and other delivery items can all be repurposed for your wrapping and decorating needs. 

2. Use reusable fabric

Photo via wrappr.com

Wrappr’s motto is “give art, not waste.” Inspired by a trip to Japan and a deluge of gifts in celebration of their new baby, the co-founders of Wrappr now make reusable furoshiki wraps for gifts. They can be used to wrap a wine bottle, jewelry, or any small gift box. Be careful, though, because the wrapping has the potential to be more elegant than what it’s covering!

3. Upcycle old t-shirts 

Photo by Darling Arias

Have a beloved t-shirt that doesn’t fit anymore? Turn it into reusable gift wrap! If you’re handy with a sewing machine, combine a few squares of fabric to make your own totally unique wrapping. Then make sure the recipient knows to pay it forward next year.

4. Raid your glove compartment for maps

Photo by Ruthie

When’s the last time you used a physical map to get from point A to point B? Check your glove box or your bookshelf for old maps to wrap up your gifts with. This is perfect for the person on your list with wanderlust.

5. Reuse paper bags from the grocery store

Photo by Maria Lin Kim

You’re already doing the right thing by choosing paper over plastic. Now upcycle those bags into eco-friendly gift wrap this holiday season. Whether you use the bags in their original shape with some recyclable paper on top or break them down into strips of paper for wrapping, this is another great option that can be recycled after the gift is unwrapped. If you’re feeling really festive, turn the bags inside out and decorate the blank side with a holiday motif.

6. Go digital

Photo by Brett Jordan

The best way to use eco-friendly gift wrap is not to use any gift wrap at all. Rather than a material gift or gift card, see if your favorite retailers offer digital delivery or experiences with a low environmental impact. Double down by gifting donations to sustainability-focused groups and then emailing your recipients the green news!

7. Find your flourishes in nature

Photo by Irina Iriser

Instead of adding more waste like ribbons and bows to your wrapping, take a walk outside and collect some seasonally-appropriate flourishes. Pinecones, small tree branches, cotton buds, and flowers all make for festive toppers. 

Want to jingle all the way with your holiday gift topper? Cut a few sprigs off your tree or stop by a Christmas tree sale and collect some of the extra branches that dot the lot. 

8. Wrap your presents using gummed paper tape

Of course, you can’t wrap most gifts without using tape! If you want to be even more environmentally friendly this holiday season, try using gummed paper tape for all your gift-wrapping needs.

The company Life Without Plastic offers water-activated kraft tape that is 100% recyclable and compostable. Each roll can also withstand harsh weather conditions such as high heat, humidity, and frigid temperatures.

Read more about their commitment to the environment here.

Help the planet with these sustainable gift wrapping ideas

We hope these ideas help make your holiday a little more sustainable, and we wish everyone a very happy holiday season no matter how you celebrate!

If you’re last-minute shoppers like us and need a few sustainable gift ideas to go along with the eco-friendly gift wrap, look no further than our sustainable gift guide.

What are you going to use to wrap your gifts this year? We’d love to see photos of your sustainable gift wrap, holiday decorations, and gifts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or LinkedIn