Eco-friendly disposable water bottles are a great solution for drinking water in a disposable container but without the plastic. Lately, we’re seeing more companies selling water in boxes and cans. Replacing Plastic bottles, biodegradable water bottles can make a real change in the industry.
My favorite alternative to plastic bottles is JUST Water. The bottle is made mainly from trees and the cap is made of sugar canes.
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TOP 5 Eco-friendly Disposable Water Bottles
#1 |  | Comes from Glens Falls, NY. Bottle is made of plant based paper, cap is made of sugarcane. | |
#2 |   | A percentage of each sale goes to saving the environment | |
#3 |   | 100% recyclable BPA-free aluminum cans. Sourced from a natural aquifer with electrolytes and a neutral pH | |
#4 |   | The cans are made of sturdy Aluminum that keeps the water fresh and cool | |
#5 |   | The boxes are 74% paper-based and 6% aluminum. Yet there’s still nearly 20% plastic in the resealable cap. |
The problem with disposable plastic bottles
According to a 2017 article printed in the Guardian, every minute one million plastic water bottles are sold.
A study carried out by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation predicts that our oceans will hold more plastic waste than fish by the year 2050. This is because only 14% of our plastic is recycled. Where does the other 86% go? In landfills and oceans.
Luckily for our planet, there are a good number of companies that are working on other viable options.
The 4 main eco friendly disposable water bottles types
Here are plastic-free alternatives that they’ve introduced to the market.
- Boxed
- Canned Aluminum
- Plant-based
- Glass
11 Eco friendly Disposable Water Bottles
Having an eco-friendly disposable water bottle means you feel good knowing you’re doing your part in saving the environment, one water bottle at a time.
1. JUST Water BPA Free Plant-Based Bottle
These pure still spring water bottles by JUST water come from Glens Falls, NY and they are boxed in a bottle made of sustainable materials.
JUST water carton bottle is made of plant-based paper, derived from trees that grow in FSC-certified forests. The cap is made of sugarcane. This makes the entire package 100% compostable.
Before they are bottled, the water go through a purification process so that only the healthiest of minerals remain. Also, the production process of the cartons reduces carbon emissions by almost 74% compared to plastic bottles.
Reviews
One customer praised the taste of JUST water and said they taste clean and “clear-tasting” like spring water. However, other reviewers said the opposite, and did not like the taste. I guess it’s one of those things you have to try once for yourself.
2. BOXED WATER IS BETTER – Eco friendly disposable water bottles
BOXED WATER IS BETTER is a company with a vision to completely change how we consume bottled water (and hopefully in the future other drinks as well).
Their boxed water arrive in boxes similar to a milk carton. The box is 100% recyclable and completely BPA-free. The boxes are 74% paper-based and 6% aluminum. Yet there’s still nearly 20% plastic in the resealable cap.
BOXED WATER IS BETTER take pride in their “award-winning” tasty water. The water is sourced from Lake Michigan, as well as the mountain streams of Wasatch National Forest. Before they are bottled (boxed to be accurate) the water goes through an 8-step purification process to eliminate impurities for a crisp, clean taste
Reviews
Users appreciate the fact that they find ways to give back by planting trees and that the water tastes clean and pure. Other users complained of a waxy, chemical aftertaste to the water.
3. Liquid Death Mountain eco friendly disposable water bottles
Liquid Death offer 100% pure water from an underground mountain spring inside beer-like Aluminum cans
This solution is by far better than plastic bottles. Aluminum is one of the most abundant materials we have on our plant, known for its ability to be recycled endlessly. Also, Liquid Death are made with 20 times more recycled material than other water bottles.
The water is sourced from an underground mountain spring. The water is purified yet keeps its original mineral profile. After that, it goes into the cans to provide a great hydrating experience. The cans come inside a box made of recyclable cardboard with a cool painting on the bottom.
Reviews
Most Reviewers tend to absolutely love this product and the fact that is made from Aluminum that can be. Other users like the cool design of the cans but were disappointed with the taste the felt like tap water.
4. Flow Alkaline Spring Water
Flow Alkaline spring water sources its water from their family-owned artesian spring in Ontario. It has no sweeteners or preservatives of any type. But it does have some electrolytes and essential minerals, such as magnesium, potassium, calcium, and bicarbonate. These elements combined give the water a fresh, pure taste, and a pH balance of 8.1.
I prefer my water to taste like water but if you like yours flavored, Flow Alkaline spring water also comes in lemon + ginger / cucumber + mint / strawberry + rose or blackberry + hibiscus.
The carton is made with over 68% renewable materials. It’s 100% recyclable, the cap is completely plant-based. More over the entire product is BPA-free.
Reviews
On Amazon, a bunch of reviewers admired Flow Alkaline water flavor, someone said it’s the smoothest, best-tasting water he ever had. Other than that there were some complains of the packaging not being sturdy enough which caused the water to leak from the bottles during delivery.
5. Ever and ever water Still Water
Ever and ever water take big pride in their bottles being zero-waste and plastic free. The bottle is made from Aluminum which is considered a very green material since it can be recycled over and over again. It comes with a safety cap also made of Aluminum. The bottle is sturdy and can be refilled and reused. Plus it’s 100% BPA-free.
The water itself go through a reverse osmosis filtration process to make sure your water is pure and fresh. They later add electrolytes to the water to give it a more balanced taste. Ever and ever water offer the same product only with sprinkled water.
Reviews
Most users were very happy with Ever and ever water, the taste and the fact that it’s 100% recyclable, one reviewer mentioned the tap was a bit hard to open at first.
6. Blue Can Premium Drinking Water
Blue Can Premium Drinking Water are a great solution for those looking for eco-friendly disposable water. Blue Can’s water come in BPA-free Aluminum cans. The company takes pride for their product having 50-years shelf life when stored properly.
This premium drinking water by Blue Can Premium is purified through a 12-step filtration system. It has no preservatives or additives, such as fluoride or chlorine. The long shelf life on this product makes it a great eco-friendly emergency drinking water to store in the basement.
Reviews
Some user said Blue Cans are a bit expensive, but worth it for the peace of mind they give in case of an emergency. Other reviewers complained that during near-freezing temperatures, the cans exploded when left in the car in the winter.
7. Aqua 200ml Water Supply Blox
This boxed water carton by Aqua Water Supply is made with sustainable materials except for the plastic straws. It’s sterile and hermetically sealed. This means there’s no risk of any distasteful taste or package migration into your drinking water.
The water itself comes from a municipal water source. It has no preservatives or additives of any kind. Before packaging, the water undergoes a UHT pasteurization process.
Reviews
Many users keep this product in their emergency kit for the house or the car, others add it to their kids’ lunch box. Some user wasn’t happy with the flimsiness of the package, saying, several boxes split open.
8. CW4K Purified Canned Water
Here is a great solution for on-the-go eco-friendly disposable water bottle that also have a humane cause to it. CW4K Purified Canned Water is pure and have no additives of any kind. The cans are made of sturdy Aluminum that keeps the water fresh and cool. CW4K uses most of its revenue (95%) to help provide clean, sustainable drinking water for children worldwide. Pretty awesome.
Reviews
Amazon reviewers appreciate the fact that this product is helping kids around the world while being a great canned water alternative to plastic bottles. Other users were disappointed with the fact that the product comes packaged with large amounts of plastic.
9. Open Water Still Canned Water
These eco-friendly disposable bottles by Open Water are a great replacement for plastic bottles. Open Water are a company with an environmental vision they donate 1% of each sale to ocean cleanup efforts around the world. The water itself is sourced from a natural aquifer with electrolytes and a neutral pH for a fresh, pure taste.
Reviews
Reviewers really liked this product and how it helps to stop using plastic bottled water. They like that it’s 100% recyclable. Those who gave this product bad reviews were concerned with the slightly chemical taste. They also weren’t too happy with the price.
10. RainForest Artesian Water
The great thing about RainForest Artesian Water 100% recyclable plant-based water bottle is that a percentage of the company’s proceeds goes to preserving wildlife conservation and reforestation projects. Plus, it’s biodegradable and compostable.
RainForest Artesian Water is sourced from an Artesian aquifer in the rainforest of Costa Rica. It’s filtered to give your crisp, fresh water. Both the bottle and the water are certified internationally by NSF, FDA, and OU Kosher.
Reviews
Reviewers really liked this product and how it helps to stop using plastic bottled water. They like that it’s 100% recyclable. Those who gave this product bad reviews were concerned with the slightly chemical taste. They also weren’t too happy with the price.
11. RETHINK WATER
Rethink Water makes its cartons from sustainable TetraPak which are recyclable and biodegradable packaging materials. They’re BPA-free and completely natural. The water is free of additives, preservatives, or fluoride. It’s filtered to give the water an ideally balanced pH.
Reviews
Reviewers seemed to really like Rethink Water and said they have awesome flavor…and the plastic free packaging is the perfect size for a full day outside the house. Other users were disappointed with the weak packaging and said that sometime when you open the twist top cap, it would break and others said the seal between the cap and container was leaking.
The Different Types of Eco friendly Disposable Water Bottles
Cardboard Boxed Water
These seems to be the best eco-friendly disposable water bottles, with the greatest chance to make a difference in the bottled water industry. More and more brands are bottling their water inside a box that looks and feels exactly like a milk box.
The most known cardboard box water brand was founded in 2009 by Benjamin Gott and its called Boxed Water. They were the first to introduce this simple and sustainable way to supply water. The process of producing cardboard boxed water costs less than its plastic counterpart. It’s compostable in a matter of months. Also, making these cartons leaves a smaller carbon
footprint. Even though Boxed Water does come with a plastic cap, apart from that, the entire container is 100% recyclable. Other brands that supply boxed water include: Rethink Water, RainForest Artesian Water, Aqua Water Supply, JUST water and Flow Alkaline spring water.
Aluminum canned water
Canned water is one of the most safe, toxic-free eco-friendly substitutes to disposable plastic water bottles. Aluminum can be endlessly recycled over and over again and the process is rather easy.
The Aluminum can also protect water from light and keep it fresh because of the durable inner lining, which makes it a great alternative to plastic bottles. Yet, it’s important to note that aluminum is not a good insulator. Moreover, the cans can easily get dented, and even start leaking, if it falls or slips. Some aluminum bottles are lined with BPA which is what we’re trying to avoid with plastic bottles – so make sure to doubl-check.
Examples of canned water brands: [Open Water, CW4K, Blue Can Premium, Ever and ever water, Liquid Death.
Plant-based water bottles
Some brands like JUST Water offer plant-based bottles that are toxin-free and require less energy to produce. They produce the package out of trees and the tap out of sugarcanes. The bottle looks almost like a normal plastic bottle only it’s not transparent.
Another similar example for a great alternative to plastic bottles was invented by 27-year-old Edinburgh-based James Longcroft. He called it ‘Choose Water’, a paper-based biodegradable water bottle.
Glassed water
Glass water bottles like Saratoga Sparkling Spring Water could have been an amazing substitutes to disposable plastic water bottles. They are eco-friendly, absolutely safe to drink from, and biodegradable. Moreover they can be recycled and reused endlessly.
The problem with glass bottles is that they are heavy, which mean they’re more expensive to ship and take more energy to ship. Moreover, they can easily break which means that the supplier will have to carefully wrap it (probably with plastic).
Which eco friendly disposable water to choose?
If you’re looking for a replacement to plastic bottles that will feel just like plastic only eco-friendly, and that you can reuse, then consider going for JUST Water. Its resalable and made if trees and sugarcanes.
If you’re looking for a product that you can throw away after one-time use without worrying about the environment, I suggest going for one of the boxed water options. Rethink Water and RainForest Artesian Water are two amazing options.
Do you need to store large quantities of water for an emergency kit? Then a perfect choice would be Blue Can Premium Drinking Water. The water is thoroughly purified and has a shelf-life of 50 years. Also, the aluminum can is recyclable.
My Personal Favorite
Eco-friendly water bottles should be first of all plastic-free but the solution must also be practical. This product includes a few great eco-friendly disposable water bottles. These products are not all perfect but all of them help reduce the amount of non-biodegradable waste filling our lands and oceans.
My top pick for the best all-around eco-friendly alternative to plastic bottles is JUST Water. It’s made from 100% biodegradable products. Plus it can be safely reused until its use-by date.
Remember we don’t need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly.
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A plastic free environment or at least 90% plastic free is the best strategy to conserve marine life and our general environment. The bottled water industry is biggest poachers in disguise.
Let’s embrace the changes and start adapting a plastic free world with non plastic water bottles.