April 17, 2024. After learning about the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, an immense collection of 1.8 trillion pieces of mostly plastic waste adrift in the North Pacific Ocean, Eliza Becton, a mechanical engineer turned industrial designer from Yale and RISD, was shocked. It was tragic to see us polluting our oceans—which ultimately meant polluting our drinking water—with plastic bottles and containers, many of which had once contained that very same drinking water. What actions could we take to address this terrible, wasteful cycle? Eliza would eventually meet, and start working with two graduate business students in environmental advocacy, Sean Grundy and Frank Lee from MIT Sloan, who shared her concern for the plastic pollution issue. Together, they resolved to launch their efforts within the beverage industry.
King of plastic waste
Fact: the world’s largest beverage companies are also the world’s biggest plastic polluters. They have been polluting plastic at an increasingly monstrous rate for decades. Their pollution is so extreme that U.S. states and environmental groups have taken to suing beverage companies for endangering environmental and public health and misleading consumers on the recyclability of plastic.
600 billion plastic bottles and containers are produced each year for water alone. Less than 30% will ever be recycled. The remaining waste will end up in landfills, streets, fields, and waterways. Those waterways run to the ocean, where plastic bottles—and the microplastics they degrade down into—join other waste to become another 14 million tons of plastic added annually to our largest bodies of water.
Be part of the solution.
Replace bottles with Bevi to cut plastic waste and offer healthy drinks in your commercial space. Download Bevi’s Environmental Sustainability Report to learn more.
Consider: every 16 oz. plastic bottle of water is manufactured using 179 oz. of water and enough oil to fill a quarter of that bottle. Getting one bottle from factory to fridge generates 78.9g of carbon emissions, which multiplied by the number of plastic bottles sold annually across the globe, equals the carbon footprint of 12.5 million cars. That means a staggering amount of energy—and water—is wasted every year producing hundreds of billions of plastic water bottles.
Also consider: bottled beverages may not be all that safe to drink. A liter of bottled water has 240,000 detectable plastic fragments in it. Every bottle. These microplastics are a growing hazard to our health; they are being found everywhere—in our hair, lungs, arteries, blood, brains—and have the potential to cause serious health complications. And there’s 252% more PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastic in the bottles used for soda than those used for water, which raises questions about its microplastic content.
The plastic problem
All of the plastic that is dumped into our ocean at first required energy to manufacture it and a supply chain to distribute it. All of that plastic, in the end, floating in the ocean, eventually becomes part of the water we drink. It enters the food chain, so it becomes a part of the food we eat. Plastic is doing damage to our planet—and, in the end, it’s doing damage to our health. No wonder three out of every four people support a worldwide ban on single-use plastics.
Unbottling the beverage industry
Eliza, Sean, and Frank started Bevi over 10 years ago because they believed people shouldn’t have to choose between sustainability and convenience. You shouldn’t have to choose what’s good for you and what’s good for the environment. Bevi is designing a world where you can do both.
Bevi offers a wide variety of healthy beverages without single-use containers, in a format that is just as convenient—and more fun—than bottled alternatives. Our bottleless machines pour still, sparkling, hot, cold, flavored, and enhanced water on-demand.
Our customers have already collectively saved over 500 million bottles and cans. We plan to save 1 billion single-use containers by the end of 2025.
Each machine we produce can save 50,000+ 12 oz. single-use containers every year.
Bevi cuts the wasteful traditional beverage supply chain by more than half, eliminating fuel-intensive transportation with every beverage poured from our machines.
Our machines are built with state-of-the-art carbon filters, designed to remove microplastics, bacteria, chlorine, and other unwanted elements from tap water down to 0.2 microns—surpassing the precision of even premium consumer filters.
More than 6,000 companies and organizations keep their employees, residents, guests, partners, and attendees hydrated and happy with Bevi machines.
Bevi will soon replace single-use bottles and cans in all the places they’re frequently consumed. There will be a smart water cooler to greet you as you go about your day: in the office, at the gym, at school, and even in restaurants and bars. It will be far more cost-effective than buying single-use containers, with all of the same flavors, fizz, and fun, and without the egregious plastic waste in our oceans.
Looking to reduce your carbon footprint—plus reduce costs and get delicious filtered water on tap? Get a quote for a Bevi machine.
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.
Bevi refurbishes over 300 machines yearly; with growing interest for refurbished models from eco- and cost-conscious customers, we are committed to continually investing in and expanding this program, making sustainability a core part of every Bevi water dispenser’s lifecycle.
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:
Using recycled materials in bottles
Investing in renewable energy sources
Working to reduce water use in bottling operations
Supporting water conservation projects
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
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.
>> 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 Companies
Bottleless Water Dispensers
Water Sourcing
Bottled 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.
Packaging
Bottled 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 Operations
Bottled 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.
Distribution
Some 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.
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.
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.
Editor’s note: Since publishing this blog, Bevi has made even more progress on its mission to make the beverage industry more sustainable. See the latest in our 2024 Environmental Sustainability Report.
April 20, 2023. 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.
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!
When searching for a place to call home, there’s a lot on residents’ minds. Monthly costs, included utilities, parking spaces, neighborhoods, and building safety just to name a few…
Nowadays, the list doesn’t end there, as many renters cite a desire for specific amenities when apartment hunting.
However, not all amenities are created equal. Research shows that apartment seekers will choose their future residence based on the types of amenities offered. For example, 21% of respondents in Venn’s 2022 Renters Experience Report say that the physical amenities in their apartment building play a pivotal role in whether or not they will renew their lease. We’d argue that’s a pretty good reason to ‘up the ante’ when it comes to your amenity package.
So, what types of amenities should you be adding to your building? Well, with the work-from-home lifestyle becoming commonplace and more people prioritizing their health, the answer seems clear. Residents want apartment amenities that will benefit their physical and mental well-being. Plus, many of these amenities are great for building a community amongst neighbors, leading to happy residents and signed lease renewals.
With this in mind, let’s take a deep dive at seven health and wellness amenities you should consider adding to your building:
1. Fitness center
With the average annual gym membership cost ranging from $622 – $782, it’s no surprise that many renters are searching for apartments that include an on-site fitness center.
Whether it’s a small gym with a few cardio machines or a large facility complete with a half-mile jogging loop and yoga studio, your residents will appreciate a space to work up a sweat without having to travel far or pay membership fees.
2. Smart water cooler
Regardless of where exactly it’s placed in your building, residents are looking for beverage stations to keep them hydrated during the day. A smart water cooler like Bevi allows users to truly customize their hydration experience through fun flavors like Peach Mango, Key Lime, and Strawberry Lemongrass. The customization doesn’t end there, though. Our new enhancement offerings allow residents to add Caffeine or Immunity to their still or sparkling water.
Having a smart water dispenser is also a fantastic (and healthy) way to build a sense of community within your building. There is no better way to get residents talking than with 48,000 different drink combinations! Plus, you’ll be doing the planet good at the same time as one Bevi machine can displace up to 30,000 single-use bottles and cans.
3. Outdoor space
Even if you’re not in a place where the weather is beautiful 99% of the time, getting outside can do wonders for your mood and mental health. A space to eat lunch outside, let the dogs socialize, or get some work done surrounded by nature can be a great mental reset.
The best part about offering a dedicated outdoor space as a communal amenity is that it can be personalized however you see fit. From BBQ areas to space for cornhole tournaments, you can create a peaceful oasis for all residents to enjoy.
4. Community rooftop garden
Improved property value, better resident retention, and less food waste are just a few of the amazing benefits offered by community gardens.
Properties with a community rooftop garden can create gardening clubs, host community events, or even hold contests to boost resident satisfaction. Gardening can also reduce stress, promote better sleep, and even improve the immune system. Plus, there’s no better sense of accomplishment than growing your own food!
5. Bike-sharing
With more people foregoing their cars for bicycles, building managers should consider offering a bike-sharing program as a communal amenity, especially in major cities.
Not only will residents love having a fun way to get around town, but your building will be playing a vital role in protecting the planet. Bicycling produces zero pollution and consumes no fossil fuel, making it an environmentally-friendly mode of transportation.
6. Dog park
Our four-legged friends also deserve some fun health and wellness amenities! It’s estimated that 23 million American households adopted a pet during the 2020 pandemic. With so many new pet owners, building managers should consider adding pet-friendly amenities if they wish to stay competitive in today’s multifamily housing market.
Your residents will appreciate having a committed place to exercise and socialize their pup. Plus, it’s another great way to build a sense of community (they say having a dog is a great way to make friends quickly!)
7. Game room
Having a dedicated place to unwind and hang out with friends is vital to your residents’ mental health and social well-being, which is why we’ve included this particular apartment amenity.
Some fun activities to include in a community game room include ping pong, pool tables, board games, and retro arcade games. Tie the room together with an ambient electric fireplace and you have an apartment amenity your residents will keep coming back to.
Attract and Retain Residents With These Must-Have Amenities
Though communal amenities are not necessary for managing a successful property, offering your residents a variety of unique experiences can improve retention rates and overall resident satisfaction.
Are there any health and fitness amenities you would add to our list? Let us know on our Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, or Instagram!
A popular way of maintaining our wellbeing with lockdowns, shutdowns, and working from home is just getting outside. A study by Danish urban research firm, Gehl, reflects this new attraction to nature. One study respondent commented, “People seem to be using greenspace and outdoor space more than pre-outbreak — but now, even more so, it is a release, an escape, some sanity, some wellness.”
A good walk spoiled
With this growing popularity comes a lot of our trash. The litter that registers as invisible when we drive by becomes all too noticeable at the tamer pace of a leisurely walk around the block. A plastic shopping bag lodged at the base of a hedge. Old bottles, cans, and other trash along the curb.
Much of this waste finds its way to streams, rivers and other waterways, and eventually to the oceans. However, researchers in Germany found that one third of all plastic waste ends up in the ground or in freshwater. Most of this is unintentional. The Center for Outdoor Ethics found 9 out of 10 people in the outdoors are uninformed about how they may adversely affect the environment.
Growing awareness of impact on greenspaces
Good news. There are indications that more people are aware of their impact on the greenspaces, woodlands, waterways and oceans that offer us much needed solace. For example, the program Plastic Free July, has been working since 2011 to help create a world free of plastic waste. In 2020, they saw their highest level of engagement with 326 million people participating in the Plastic Free July challenge. That’s up 100 million from the year before.
How to maintain serenity and sustainable greenspace
More good news. It’s not hard to build on the success of initiatives like Plastic Free July. We can easily take care of our outdoor refuges with just a little forethought and planning.
Stay hydrated but leave the plastic water bottle at home and grab a refillable one instead.
Being well-nourished is just as important, so use reusable silicone snack bags on the trail.
Bring food in reusable containers and use washable napkins and tablecloths.
Ditch the plastic and invest in reusable straws, plates, and cutlery that can be easily rinsed clean.
About 30 percent of all trash in the U.S. comes just from product packaging, so try to reduce single-use packaged food products as much as possible.
Instead of paper maps, make use of several national park map apps. No service? Many parks apps can be downloaded ahead of time and used offline.
Don’t plan on finding a trash or recycling can. Always plan ahead and decide how you’ll store any garbage until you’ve reached a proper disposal site.
Doing good feels good
Maintaining our oceans, waterways, and greenspaces spaces is not only essential for the planet’s wellbeing, it’s becoming more essential for our wellbeing. And to take care of the latter, we need to take care of the former.
Research has shown that the simple act of doing something good, such as keeping the environment clean and healthy, can actually make us feel good in the process. And isn’t that why we took that long walk outdoors in the first place?
In July of 2020, Bevi users reached a notable milestone: They helped save the planet from 200 million plastic bottles. Eliminating the need for plastic bottles and cans is a driving force behind the concept of the Bevi office water dispenser. So much so, that a user can see just how many bottles a particular machine is saving with a counter right in the Bevi touchscreen.
While that may be the most obvious indicator of a positive effect on the environment, there is more behind Bevi’s approach to supporting sustainability in the workplace.
The carbon-intensive process of bottling water
Before you ever grab a beverage at work, a good deal of energy has gone into getting that bottle of water into the office refrigerator. The source for more than half of all bottled water comes from springs and aquifers. Moving all that water to a bottling facility requires energy for pumps and trucks. The bottles it goes into also require significant resources to produce. In a 2007 study, the Pacific Institute found it took the equivalent of approximately 17 million barrels of oil to make all the plastic for bottled water consumed by Americans in 2006. That’s was enough energy to power 1 million vehicles for a year. More recent research at Stanford University in 2018 put the oil consumption number for plastic bottle production at 50 million barrels per year.
But that’s not the only area where fossil fuels come into play. Still more are used in transporting the 50 billion plastic bottles used each year in the U.S. from the manufacturer to the bottling facility.
Re-imagining a more sustainable supply chain
Finding a better way to do something often requires doing it differently. Point-of-use office water dispensers, such as those from Bevi, connect to an existing water line. From there, the water can be dispensed still, sparkling or flavored right into a glass or reusable beverage tumbler. This not only cuts out the need for plastic bottles and aluminum cans, it eliminates the substantial amount of fuel needed to source, bottle, and transport the water.
Building on a good idea
While point-of-use water dispensers are certainly more environmentally friendly, there are additional ways to shrink the carbon footprint of your glass of water. By connecting water dispensers to the internet, some manufacturers are able to monitor specific aspects of their machines, such as filter life and supply levels of flavors and CO2. With this information, maintenance and restocking calls can be more accurately scheduled, minimizing the fuel consumption of service vehicles.
In addition to using machine data to schedule flavor and CO2 refills, Bevi has made the service process even greener. Bevi uses flavor boxes made from recyclable materials that can also be easily recycled after use. And the flavor bags, which are made from recyclable #7 plastic, are accepted in some community recycling programs.
Sustainable hydration
There’s nearly universal agreement that staying hydrated throughout the day is important to staying healthy, feeling good, and being more productive. How each of us does that is a personal choice, but we believe a choice that’s good for people as well as the environment is one worth offering. It’s an idea that has caught on with many companies and their employees. You can read about them here. We’re proud to be part of our customers’ efforts to save 200 million plastic bottles and we continue to look for ways to help them stay healthy and be greener.
Instead of recycling plastic water bottles and cans, what if we never had to use them in the first place?
From a nightclub stage, a comedian riffs about trash and recycling. “With trash, if there’s something you don’t want anymore, you throw it away and you never see it again. But with recycling, you toss it in the bin and it comes back as something else you will eventually have to get rid of all over again.”
While this open-mic-night insight may not be entirely accurate, it does hint at an awkward truth surrounding recycling: Using bottles and cans means always having to deal with them when we’re done.
On average, Americans crack open around 1500 bottles of water each second. That translates to 90,000 every hour and 2.2 million every day. From a human health perspective, it’s good that we’re drinking so much water. However, for the health of our planet, the effects aren’t as beneficial.
While most of those plastic bottles can be recycled, a large percentage of them aren’t. Dr. Peter Gleick, the author of “Bottled and Sold: The Story Behind Our Obsession with Bottled Water,” says only 30 percent of those bottles make it into the recycling bin. The rest wind up in landfills, incinerators, or littering the land and the ocean. In fact, a widely reported study by the World Economic Forum and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation determined that by the year 2050, the ocean will contain more plastic than fish. And many of those fish will have ingested a significant amount of that plastic.
Put down the bottle. Pick up the can.
Another thing to consider is putting water in aluminum cans instead of plastic bottles. Take a look inside the fridge in just about any office kitchen, breakroom, or cafeteria and you’ll likely see the most popular waters, seltzers, and flavored beverages in shiny aluminum rows.
Along with being easier to stack and taking up less fridge space, cans have a much higher recycling profile than their polyethylene cousins. Cans in the U.S. are recycled at rate of 50 percent, distinguishing them as the most recycled beverage container in the world. Plus, the high recyclability of aluminum means that 75 percent of all aluminum produced is still in circulation, and each regenerated can uses 90 percent less energy and produces 90 percent less emissions compared to producing a brand new can.
The environmental attractiveness of recycling cans is increasing demand. However, the problem with that is there are not enough cans in circulation right now to meet that demand. More will need to be made from scratch, and creating a new can produces double the greenhouse gases of a plastic bottle. So, while we’re improving sustainability through recycling, we’re working against that by adding carbon through can manufacturing.
A better answer to bottles and cans
Staying properly hydrated and preserving the environment don’t have to be so complicated if you consider an alternative to bottles and cans. Smart beverage dispensers, like those from Bevi, let you get that drink without the plastic or aluminum middleman. They not only supply pure filtered and sparkling water right into your reusable tumbler cup, they let you easily add electrolytes to boost your hydration and flavors to elevate your mood.
At the same time, you could be replacing 30 thousand bottles and cans each year, and as the standup comedian would point out, “never having to deal with them again.” And that may be the most refreshing part of that drink of water.
For those of us returning to our offices, the workplace we step back into will look different from the one we left.
Desks will be farther apart. Hand sanitizer dispensers will be as ubiquitous as light switches. And floor signage and tape lines will physically define boundaries within even the most open of office plans.
It will be different in another way that may not be so apparent: It won’t be as green as it was before the pandemic. Nearly all of the changes we’ll encounter are being made to keep us safe, which is obviously important. At the same time, what’s helping keep us healthy could have the opposite effect on the environment.
For instance, coffee shops are no longer accepting reusable containers and restaurants are relying on disposable menus, plates, and plastic utensils. Even if you opt for takeout or delivery, your meal will likely be packed in a Styrofoam container that makes its way to you in a plastic bag. The result is a lot more waste.
One word: Plastics
All of that waste is being dramatically compounded by a growing reliance on single-use plastic for so many other items, such as bottled water, bags, and packaging. Trying to stem that rising tide with recycling is also becoming more difficult as material-recovery facilities (MRFs) have slowed or halted their operation while they struggle with keeping workers safely apart along recyclable sorting conveyor belts.
We can still make a difference.
Here’s the good news: As we all head back to work, we can bring sustainability with us. Here are a few simple things each of us can do to flatten the Plastic Curve.
Wear a mask. Wash a mask. Consider wearing a mask made of washable fabric in the office. It’s one way to protect your co-workers. Plus, you can launder it after two to three uses, instead of disposing of it.
Commute cleaner. Employers are incentivizing their employees to drive to work rather than use public transportation. However, a healthy compromise could involve employers also providing incentives for walking or biking to work, both of which limit social contact and greenhouse gasses.
Use, clean, repeat. Consider bringing your lunch and snacks with you in a reusable container. It can be safely cleaned with soap and hot water, ideally in your dishwasher. There are also reusable solutions for food, cleaning, and personal care items to help cut down on plastic use at home. TerraCycle’s Loop program delivers products in durable containers that you ship back for cleaning and reuse once the product is gone.
A number of companies are releasing touchless water dispensers, which will provide a safe way to use a reusable cup or beverage tumbler at work and avoid cracking open and disposing of a bottle or can.
Starting July 13, existing and new Bevi machines will enable you to use your smartphone to dispense beverages so you never have to touch the machine. We think that’s a great way to stay hydrated, stay safe, and contribute to sustainability at work.
Sustaining sustainability.
We know a lot of businesses and people were committed to creating sustainability at work before the pandemic came along. We believe that how you stay healthy and how you head back to work are your choices to make. And while things will certainly look and feel different when we walk back through the door, many of those differences can create new opportunities for sustainability. We’re committed to finding them, and sharing them with all of you.
