Boxed Water’s Tree Planting Project Is Achieving Its Goals

Boxed Water, which sells water in recyclable cartons made using paper from managed forests, says its partnership with the National Forest Foundation has been successful over the last three years. The company, through its #ReTree project, has committed to planting more than 600,000 trees within the 193 million-acre National Forest System, and a million trees by 2020. Boxed Water is available in 500 ml, 250 ml and 1 liter sizes.

"Boxed Water Plants More Than 600,000 Trees Through #ReTree Campaign", News release, Boxed Water, September 13, 2017

Nestlé’s Deals With U.S. Communities Result In Mostly Free Water Worth Billions

Nestlé is the biggest bottled water supplier globally in terms of sales, ahead of Coca-Cola, Danone, and PepsiCo. In 2016, U.S. bottled water sales reached $16 billion, up nearly 10 percent from 2015, outpacing soda sales as consumers increasingly seek convenience and healthful options, and worry about tap water safety. Nestlé dominates by accessing U.S. water sources spring by spring – at very low cost – promising communities jobs and new infrastructure in exchange for tax breaks and access to the scarce resource. The company pays a municipal rate for the water, or a nominal extraction fee. ($200 in Michigan.) Nestlé battles grass-roots resistance – “it rankles many because the natural resource gets hauled out of local watersheds for private profit” – with legal action.

"Nestlé Makes Billions Bottling Water It Pays Nearly Nothing For", Bloomberg Businessweek, September 21, 2017

Revamped Headquarters Reflect Coca-Cola’s New Corporate Mores

Coca-Cola has worked with international architect Gensler to renovate its 60-year-old headquarters in Atlanta, Ga. The idea was to provide workspaces that promote creativity, productivity, and engagement for the 13,000 employees who work there, and to visually represent the company’s transformation to a “true total beverage company.” Gensler and the company came up with a “Mainstreet Experience,” creating communal space out of the ground floors of six buildings and physically linking the buildings into a network. The 350,000 square feet of office space now features conference rooms, cafes, lounges, treadmill desks, sit-stand workstations in communal areas, soft seating, and two acres of outdoor space with patios and courtyards.

"Coca-Cola’s Headquarters Have A Refreshing New Look", Fast Company Design, September 18, 2017

Thai Beverage Recognized For Eco-Achievements

ThaiBev joined the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) World and Emerging Markets indices after it was awarded perfect scores from the yearly RobecoSAM Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA). The DJSI World Index represents the top 10 percent of the largest 2,500 companies in the S&P Global BMI. The company In 2016 recorded 12 percent less water withdrawal per hectoliter of finished goods, and recycled 10 percent of water resources it used.

"ThaiBev joins DJSI's World Index", Singapore Business Review, September 19, 2017

Evian Certified As Carbon Neutral In U.S., Canada

Danone’s bottled water brand Evian, sourced from a French Alpine spring, announced it has been audited and certified by the nonprofit Carbon Trust in the U.S. and Canada as a carbon neutral product. The certification marks a major step toward a goal of reaching worldwide carbon neutrality by 2020. To help reduce its carbon footprint, the brand uses environmentally friendly trains and ships to deliver product to North America. In addition, all Evian bottles and caps are fully recyclable; the company expects all packaging to have an average of 25 percent recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) by the end of 2017 in North America.

"Evian Achieves Carbon Neutrality in the U.S. and Canada", News release, Danone, September 12, 2017

Eco-Conscious Millennials Support Boxed Water’s Environmental Solution

Despite the huge presence of bottled water globally, Boxed Water CMO Rob Koenen says the company will make inroads by building relationships with consumers, especially eco-conscious Millennials, to grow its packaging business and “make a positive impact on the planet.” A key strategy is engaging with consumers who are responsive to the sustainable packaging message. According to Koenen, the company’s social media community generates lot of the content as they share how they enjoy Boxed Water in their daily life. Millennials want solutions to environmental problems and will support solutions through purchasing decisions. “Consumers understand the depth of our commitment and that drives their loyalty,” Koenen says.

"Why Boxed Water’s Brand Resonates with Millennials and Gen Z", American Marketing Association, September 20, 2017