Humans have been drinking water since, well, always. And, the fact remains, you can drink water from anything: a cup, a fancy glass, a metal container; in desperation mode, you can drink water from your hand. While there are many ways to hydrate, we’ve come down a road where single-use plastic bottles have dominated how people hydrate, and it has reached a critical point - our plastic crisis. PATH began as a solution to this wrong turn for hydration. So we’re sharing these 10, although there are many more science-backed reasons to refill with PATH.
Environmental Protection
When it comes to safeguarding our environment, every action counts, and choosing to refill with PATH is significant. Americans are known for their high consumption of bottled water, with an astonishing figure of approximately 50 billion water bottles purchased each year. This number highlights our reliance on single-use plastic and underscores the trash left behind from consumption. By switching to a reusable PATH bottle, an individual can prevent the use of around 156 single-use plastic bottles from landfills and as litter annually (EarthDay.org). This reduction in plastic waste is a meaningful step towards preserving our ecosystems and curbing pollution. In a world where environmental protection is paramount, opting for a refillable PATH bottle is a commitment to a healthier, cleaner planet, echoing the spirit of initiatives like Earth Day. This simple yet impactful switch can collectively lead us toward eliminating single-use plastic bottled water.
Promoting a Sustainable Culture
Embracing PATH's refillable bottles is more than just a personal choice; it's a powerful statement in fostering a culture of sustainability. Regular refilling and reusing of these bottles serve as a practical demonstration of eco-friendly practices, inspiring others to follow suit - PATH is a community dedicated to the planet. According to a study, people aged 30 or under are more likely to have seen or been influenced by brands' messaging on sustainability (The roundup.org). It's about setting a trend that prioritizes the health of our planet, showcasing how small, everyday decisions can collectively make a significant impact.
Cost-effectiveness of Refilling
This culture of sustainability is further sweetened by the undeniable cost-effectiveness of using a refillable bottle. In stark contrast to the expensive single-use bottled water habit, the cost of filtered water is remarkably lower; typical filtered tap is approximately 0.1 cents per liter, a far cry from the 65 cents per liter for bottled water. The price gap of refilling is a substantial financial advantage. Over a span of five years, opting for a PATH bottle and refilling it can save an individual well over $620, based on the conversion from the original U.K. figures provided by Zopa. This substantial saving is a testament to the economic wisdom of sustainable living, proving that making eco-friendly choices does not only benefit the environment but also our wallets. In a society increasingly conscious about sustainable living, choosing PATH is an innovative, economical, and environmentally sound decision.
Support Recycling Efforts
The recycling process for aluminum - the main material of a PATH bottle - is impressively energy-efficient. It requires only about 5% of the energy needed to produce new aluminum. The use of aluminum is a crucial step in reducing the hazards of waste like plastic and its hard-to-recycle components. Moreover, the infinite lifecycle of aluminum is remarkable. Nearly 75% of all aluminum ever produced is still in use today, according to the Aluminum Association. This statistic speaks volumes about the sustainability of aluminum as a material – it's not just recycled but remains in circulation for extended periods, contributing to a more sustainable economy.
By choosing PATH's aluminum bottles, people participate in a larger movement supporting efficient recycling systems. This choice contributes to a cycle of renewal, where materials are kept in use and out of landfills.
Healthier Choices
Opting for reusable PATH aluminum bottles is a decision that extends beyond environmental consciousness, venturing into the realm of personal health. Unlike BPA-lined bottles, which have garnered concerns for potentially leaching chemicals, PATH aluminum bottles present a safer, healthier option. BPA-lined water bottles, particularly when exposed to elements like heat, are prone to releasing chemicals like BPA (Bisphenol A).
In stark contrast, PATH aluminum bottles are free from these harmful chemicals and include a BPA-free liner, ensuring that the water you drink remains uncontaminated and pure with every refill. This choice transcends mere preference, aligning with a growing public awareness about the health risks associated with prolonged plastic use.
Convenience
The convenience offered by PATH, which is sold next to single-use but is actually refillable, is an undeniable advantage. That is especially compared to the hassle of sourcing single-use water bottles or finding a new refillable bottle when you forget yours at home again. This convenience becomes even more pronounced in areas where access to bottled water is limited or nonexistent. The design and functionality of PATH bottles are tailored to fit seamlessly into daily life, ensuring that hydration is always within easy reach.
A worldwide survey underscores the importance of convenience and affordability in driving sustainable behavior changes. A significant 53% of respondents cited convenience as a key factor, while affordability was crucial for 33%. PATH aligns perfectly with these findings, offering bottled water that is convenient and cost-effective. The ease of simply refilling a bottle negates the need for repeated purchases of single-use bottles, saving both time and money. Moreover, the durable and lightweight nature of aluminum bottles makes them ideal for carrying around, whether it's for daily commutes, outdoor adventures, or just a day out in the city.
Quality of Water
Your PATH delivers its first serving of water with purified electrolyte water. The quality of water that one refills in their PATH bottle, be it from home filters or public sources, can surpass what is available in single-use plastic bottles. This is primarily due to the control and assurance provided by using appropriate water filters. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), various water filters are available to consumers, each designed to remove specific contaminants. Filters certified by the NSF are known to protect against certain pollutants, and their labels typically indicate which contaminants they reduce. This information can guide users in selecting a filter that meets their specific needs.
In essence, using a PATH bottle and refilling it with filtered water allows individuals to have greater control over the quality of water they consume. They can choose filters based on their specific water source and the contaminants they need to remove, ensuring that the water they drink is of good quality, convenient, and environmentally friendly. This ability to tailor water treatment to personal needs underscores the benefits of refillable bottles, offering sustainability and convenience to quality in every refill.
Reduction in Carbon Footprint
Using a refillable PATH bottle has a profound impact on reducing carbon emissions. A compelling example of this impact can be seen in the case of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), which banned the sale of single-use plastic bottled water. The environmental potential benefits of this decision are striking. In just one year, if 5% of LAX's annual travelers, approximately 1,611,377 people, chose to use a PATH bottle and refill it an average of six times, the reduction in carbon emissions would be monumental. This switch from single-use bottles would save about 2,305,880,487 grams of CO2 equivalent.
To put this into perspective, the carbon impact of this change is equivalent to saving 5,911,237,177 miles driven by an average gasoline-powered passenger vehicle, or 259,466,691 gallons of gasoline consumed. It's also akin to the energy used by 290,618 homes for one year or the electricity use of 448,666 homes for a year. Furthermore, this change is equivalent to recycling 797,883 tons of waste instead of sending it to landfills, installing 641 wind turbines and running them for a year, growing 38,127,932 tree seedlings for ten years, or the carbon sequestered by 2,749,803 acres of U.S. forests in one year.
Durability and Longevity
High-quality reusable bottles like PATH exemplify sustainability through their durability and longevity. Durable materials are a cornerstone of sustainable living. Products that last longer reduce the need for frequent replacements, thereby diminishing waste and the continual use of resources for manufacturing new products.
This approach aligns with the ethos of minimizing environmental impact through reduced resource consumption and waste generation. Durability, therefore, becomes not just a feature of a product but a fundamental aspect of sustainable living. The longevity of PATH bottles signifies more than just practicality; it represents a commitment to a lifestyle that respects and conserves our natural resources.
Sleek Style and Customization
The success of sustainable products often hinges on their design and aesthetic appeal, followed by their impact. This is a crucial consideration in consumer choices, where the design of a product significantly impacts its acceptance and longevity. In the case of reusable bottles like PATH, the variety in designs and styles plays a vital role in their popularity and widespread use.
The European Union Joint Research Commission highlights that over 80% of all product-related environmental impacts are determined during design. This emphasizes the importance of sustainable product design as a critical factor for optimizing a product's life cycle for maximum economic, social, and environmental advantages.
PATH's sleek design makes it so that you're proud to carry around your reusable bottle. PATH even offers an option to customize your bottles and order for events. The design phase is about functionality and the product's aesthetic appeal, influencing consumers' decisions to adopt and continue using these products.
These are just a few reasons to refill with PATH - the list grows with every refill.