The Great Tap debate
Tap water is unquestionably the most eco-friendly source of water (unless you live next to a pristine stream). It is for this reason that Belu recommends tap water as the most environmental choice if you want a drink. This might sound odd coming from an organization selling bottled water, but if we are to save the planet, we must face reality.
But this issue is not as simple as it sounds. There are times when a bottle of water is very convenient. There are also many people who have reservations about the quality of tap water. For both these reasons, not everyone is always going to choose tap water.
For those occasions when bottled water is going to be chosen anyway, Belu has created the most eco-friendly bottled water on the market. We do not import or export our water to reduce the carbon footprint of shipping. We are converting to clean energy and offsetting all remaining CO2 emissions to become the world’s first Carbon Neutral bottled water. Belu has also introduced the UK’s first compostable bottle. Made from corn, these bottles can first be recycled and then at the end of their life, composted back to soil in only 8 weeks (a zillion times faster than petrol-chemical plastic bottles). Last but not least, Belu donates 100% of its profits to fund clean water projects in the UK and around the world.
As mentioned, one primary reason people choose bottled water is their concern about tap water quality. The easiest way to increase consumer confidence would be to raise the UK’s tap water standards to the highest in the world. Why settle for anything else?
To encourage the further adoption of tap water in the meantime, Belu is launching a world-class tap water filtration system for use in hotels, restaurants, businesses and at home. For anyone preferring tap water but seeking for a guarantee of purity, please email puretap@belu.org for an information pack.
Thanks for your interest in this issue. We should not have to choose between the environment and our own well being simply to have a drink of water.
Reed Paget
Founder Belu
March 29th, 2008 at 11:59 am
Great Job… all the world will benefit
March 31st, 2008 at 10:32 am
I think it’s a great thing you’re doing and about time too! When I look at the amount of water sold in shops everyday and how many of the bottles are oil based plastic, it enrages me and is odd that nobody has considered the idea of biodegradable bottles up to this. I have one small question which someone might be able to answer, where does the corn come from? Is it shipped from overseas or grown in the UK?
April 3rd, 2008 at 9:55 am
Wow, what a great company. I’m really impressed, both with your honesty, and with your goals. Clean water is truly a world concern, and you’ve thought very clearly through the issue of “Think global, act local.” Great stuff, guys! There should be more companies out there like you!
April 11th, 2008 at 7:26 am
Oh… Your blog used to be nice, but now it’s spoiled. Stop posting trash like that or stop posting at all.
April 22nd, 2008 at 4:51 pm
I am researching communicating sustainability and so far you are the first company that are not spouting a load of greenwash. I hope everyone starts using Belu!
May 12th, 2008 at 9:21 pm
Why oh why are we in Australia not following these sustainable foot prints? The lighter we tread the more possibilites we all have .
This is the way to conduct a practice of business, a model that if taken around our Earth will change how we see our interactions in the Everyday and how we all can make a difference to each others lives and Mother Earth .
I can only imagine what it would be like to work at a company that was a leader in making a difference to our childrens children.
keep up the wonderful work.
Thanks for making a difference.
May 30th, 2008 at 6:56 am
I agree absolutely, remembering a childhood of street water fountains and knowing how fortunate we are to have high quality supply on tap.
I’m interested in the kind of business you do in the developing world, as we’re working along the same lines yet find others applying social business models very difficult to communicate with.
Why should that be if we want to change our world?
June 29th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
Great article… and don’t forget the benefits that planting a tree will have on the environment. Each one will soak up 20kgs of CO2 every year and put enough Oxygen back in the atmosphere to support 2 people.
July 14th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
Hi there,
Interesting stuff. I have a question for you all though. All your advertising and marketing says that all your profits go to water charities (and has said this for as long as I have been aware of your brand).
It seems that one of the real USPs of your brand is this fact (together of course with your environmental sustainability) and yet I cannot find anywhere on your website (or elsewhere on the web) details of how much profit you have been making since you started up and exactly how much has been given to charity.
Could/should you not have this information on the first page of your website as you do use it as a hook for your product?
I think there are two simple questions which should be answered clearly:
How much profit has your brand made since it started?
And exactly what is the amount of money you have given to charities?
As a regular consumer of your product, I think this information should be made clearly available, backed up with hard figures. Please reply in this blog to the above two questions.
Thanks a lot
Jack Jones (London)
August 14th, 2008 at 11:32 am
Hi Jack,
Belu is currently working with an audit firm to authenticate the funding and impact of our clean water projects and overall environmental efforts. We expect this process to be complete in the next few months and think you will be impressed with the extent of work that has been done. We will keep you posted on the results. Many thanks, Reed
September 4th, 2008 at 12:59 am
This is one of the greatest ideas i have ever seen!
Congratulations!! One great step for the world and fighting pollution… LOOK OUT OTHER WATER BOTTLE COMPANIES!!