Now, with a new decade around the corner, we want to take a moment to reflect on how we got here, where we’re going, and why we’re still as driven, to spread the message of sustainability, as ever.

Though a world in which everyone carries around their own reusable water bottle each day is our ultimate dream, we know we’re not quite there yet. At least that’s what the approximately 480 BILLION plastic drinking bottles sold in 2016 [1] seem to suggest…

And we get it: sometimes things get hectic and life gets in the way. That’s why we believe the first step towards weaning ourselves off of single-use plastics for good is providing much better alternatives (for the environment) without sacrificing convenience (for thirsty people). Every small step is still a step in the right direction, and we each of us can contribute towards a zero-waste future in our own way.

That said, here’s a quick round-up of what we’ve done in 2019 to make that first step on the path to zero-waste a little easier for Canadians.

We Brought Alkaline-rich, Natural Canadian Spring Water To Your Fingertips

Every can of Cycle Water starts with some of the best quality water in the world: all-natural Canadian spring water, sustainably extracted in small batches. You might think it sounds crazy, but you can taste the quality of spring water we offer. And that’s not all… it gets even crazier.

Though the scenery surrounding our amazing springs is definitely stunning, the real magic happens out of sight, beneath the Earth’s surface. Before the water naturally breaches the ground at our source in the form of a stream (which, by the way, was sculpted by deglaciation roughly 12,000 years ago), it makes its way along, underground.

This cycle of natural filtration through subsurface sediment allows our source water to be rich in alkaline and is largely why our canned water tastes so darn good.

We Introduced Our Infinitely Recyclable, Resealable Aluminum Can

Such amazing water needs an equally amazing vessel. We think our revolutionary resealable can is just the thing for the job. Sure, canned water may sound strange at first, but the case for cans is loud and clear.

There’s nothing wrong with having big goals and ideas; we’re dreamers too, after all! But every big goal needs some smaller steps along the way to be realistic. For us, a more environmentally conscious alternative to the convenience of bottled water is one good step towards an ideal future, one with less waste and more clean air and delicious water for all to enjoy.

We Kept Hydration Proudly Canadian From Spring Source To Satisfying Sip

Not long ago, we asked ourselves why Canadians buy water from half a world away when we have some of the best spring water on the planet right in our backyard. It sounds crazy because it is, and that’s why we set out to change things.

But that’s not all. If you couldn’t tell, we’re made in Canada through and through, and real proud of it. We’re also grateful for everything Canada’s done for us. From growing our business in a country that genuinely thinks about its impact on the planet and makes steps to reduce its footprint to being inspired by the sheer quantity of you who also want to help drive change — it’s been a real pleasure.

Canada has a whole lot of nature (and that’s an understatement), so it’s not too much of a surprise that environmental stewardship runs through our country’s veins. We hope the work we’re doing to make convenient water on-the-go more considerate of the environment will help keep that great Canadian legacy strong.

We’re also beyond grateful to all of the amazing Canadians that have bought and enjoyed Cycle Water in through these early stages of our journey or helped spread the word about us by sharing our posts and stories on social media. Though there have been challenges, your continued support for our business and our vision has made it possible for us to keep working hard and growing. We promise to only get better!

And, of course, we wouldn’t be able to reach nearly as many of your without the support of our new friends in retail, who also deserve a shout out for making Cycle Water accessible at over 100 locations (just in our first year)! Much love and many thanks to all our retail and Commercial Partners! We are very excited to continue these relationships, and welcome the many new opportunities that are are planned for the canned water movement in 2020!

Let’s Keep Being In Motion In 2020 — Together!

Water is always moving, always on its way to the next part of the cycle. This idea of cycles and the motion that enables them inspires us deeply, as our name and love of recycling probably give away. That’s also why we chose “Be in Motion” as our slogan! We believe that movement, adventure, action, and a visionary spirit can all help lead us where we need to go.

Like water in its many states, each person’s motion will be different, as will their dreams and goals — and that’s a good thing. Whether your motion is an extra thirty minutes at the gym, another kilometer up a mountain trail, or a last minute meeting to land you that new client, we want to be there to remind you to keep moving forward.

As we transition into a new year and a new decade, we’re as excited as ever to continue spreading the message of sustainability and impact consciousness far and wide. We’re also excited to keep playing an active part, positively impacting the way Canadians consume bottled water each and every day of 2020.

To conclude, so much has happened in 2019 that has brought more awareness and inspired real action to address the global waste crisis our planet is experiencing. We can’t wait to see what’s in store for 2020; that’s because each new year, like each new day, is another opportunity for a little victory, for a small step in the right direction which is guaranteed to add up to something bigger overtime. And that’s as true for each of us individually as it is for the big goals and challenges, like those facing our environment, that bring us all together.

So Happy New Year to you all!

Sources:

1.https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jun/28/a-million-a-minute-worlds-plastic-bottle-binge-as-dangerous-as-climate-change

2.https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2017/07/plastic-produced-recycling-waste-ocean-trash-debris-environment/

3.https://www.aluminum.org/news/aluminum-can-recycling-holds-historically-high-levels/

Unsurprisingly, bringing an impact-conscious mentality on your long-haul journeys is not too different, in practice, from what you might do back home — though the distance does come with its fair share of unique challenges.

Here are our 6 tips to help you overcome those difficulties and discover a whole new world of sustainable travel like never before:

1. Use The Three “R”s — Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Even When Abroad

You may be tempted on vacation, for example, to choose easier options like packing single-use toiletries, drinking from disposable plastics, or racking up a large debt of plastic bags while shopping.

But approaching such decisions (and planning for them!) with the mindset of “reduce, reuse, recycle” will reveal choices that might have seemed invisible at first. And your adventure will only gain from it, we promise!

2. Avoid Single Use Plastic Water Bottles and Try Hydrating the Local Way

Being introduced to a foreign scorching hot climate from the sweet cool embrace of the train station’s air conditioning can send even the most well meaning of travellers running for a bottle of water.

As bad as it may feel in the moment, a single look at the Great Pacific Garbage Patch should be enough to put your plight into perspective. The damage to our environment is simply not worth the short term relief, especially when there are so many other amazing ways of staying hydrated.

Be a part of the solution by indulging in awesome local delicacies, while in the tropics green coconuts are a great source of water and are sure to take your trip to the next level.

Not in the tropics? Not a problem. Rather than using disposable water bottles, a great sustainable choice is to opt for a reusable bottle, and if that’s not an option then reaching for the closest canned water is an infinitely recyclable option that won’t harm the environment.

3. Consider The Impact Of Comfort On Your Adventure And The Environment

“Home is where the heart is” is a common saying, but we all know being away from your house definitely increases the temptation to take shortcuts and make wasteful decisions in the hopes of finding some level of comfort. It just seems so darn convenient! This includes every choice we make while travelling, straight from the start, including how we get there.

We could all use a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. After all, isn’t that why we travel in the first place? So why is it then that we choose to take the fastest, busiest, and most impactful method of travel — airplanes — when the scenic route is much more fun (and often cheaper)?

4. Take The Scenic Route, And No It’s Not Found In A Cramped Airplane

Slower and calmer than their sky-bound counterparts, trains offer the chance to ease into your travel adventure by placing you in the present and forcing you to enjoy the moment. National Geographic even recognizes train travel as part of “the emerging ‘slow travel’ trend by going to fewer places and spending more time in each.”

That means that you can really take the time to live in the present and afford each location the depth of time that our amazing world demands. It seems that trains are both good for living a balanced lifestyle and helping to reduce our carbon footprint by using less fuel relative to the amount of people they transport.

5. Be Ethical When Choosing Tours and Activities

Don’t forget to apply the Scenic Route principle to all aspects of your travels, including the tours you choose. Though most of your trips may be spent wandering and planning your own route through your country of choice, almost all trips come to the point where one decides to take a tour.

Guided tours through important established cultural icons like museums are one thing, but wildlife or scenic tours do not benefit from the same protections that museums have. This is why it is so important that we take a proactive mindset and research activities that we choose to endorse with our patronage.

Negligence is not an excuse and enabling unsustainable business practices is just as bad as participating in the guilty action yourself. As travellers we have a duty to question our tour guides to determine how they treat the environment around them and, beyond that, how they and their company ensure that their little piece of nature will be there for future generations to tour and experience.

It may seem like a lot, but in the end all it requires is a simple phone call to a business that is already designed and exists to answer your questions. Make the right choice, tour operators in today’s day and age are aware of the environment and our impact on it, companies who claim ignorance on their impact most likely aren’t practicing the most sustainable methods.

6. Buy Locally, And Don’t Touch The Wild Life

When you find yourself in foreign lands, one great way to enrich the communities you visit is to support local merchants, farmers, and craftspeople. Purchasing sustainably produced local goods, whether souvenir crafts like trinkets and accessories or functional items like clothes, is one way to ensure those communities can continue to thrive for years to come.

Even your daily meals can support the locals and promote sustainability as long you take a moment to learn about the ways they are produced and choose to avoid disposable packaging and cutlery. More often to not the local “mom and pop” restaurants will also offer you a rare window into authentic cultural practices and home cooked food that simply can’t be found in unsustainable tourist traps. A sure treat!

Another way to make a positive impact is to avoid supporting destructive tourist industries that rely on harmful wildlife products. Unless you can be sure that they are sustainably produced, you’re probably better off avoiding souvenirs made from animals (think shells, furs, etc.) or other wildlife materials.

While it may be cool to bring back a little piece of the local flora or fauna from your adventure, it isn’t worth the harm done to the natural order of the area. The more people who commit to avoiding doing that damage, the more likely it is that those industries will be forced to change to more impact-conscious methods. And that’s a win for all involved!

Find A Balance That Makes Sustainable Travel Easy

The path towards a sustainable lifestyle and a zero waste world is not about perfection. It’s about making small consistent choices. That means approaching decisions with an impact-conscious mindset both at home and abroad.

Every choice, big or small, has some sort of impact on our world. Each of us should aspire to find more ways to minimize our impact and we might just find that this doesn’t require us to sacrifice the small pleasures in life.

For us, sustainability and balance are two deeply connected ideas. On the one hand, sustainability is about making choices that we know will allow us to have a world for tomorrow. On the other, balance in the actions we take towards a sustainable lifestyle is essential to make sure the actual efforts we take are sustainable themselves and we won’t suffer from burnout.

What’s the use of being hyper sustainable for a few weeks if you burn out and give up completely after? Slow and steady wins the race.

And that’s all there really is to it! With the right mindset, any adventure abroad can be as unforgettable as it is sustainable. And with each impact-conscious choice each of us makes, we come one step closer on the path to zero waste, one step closer on this journey.

While the spirit of the season is indeed jolly, there’s nothing jolly about the wasteful aftermath. This year alone, Canadians will send about this much holiday cheer to the dump:

• 540,000 tonnes of wrapping paper and gift bags (about 100,000 elephants worth!).[1]
• A few billion Christmas cards (most of which, especially the glittery ones, are not recyclable at all, contrary to popular belief). [1]
• Millions of rolls of tape and ribbon. [1]
• About 50 kilograms of garbage per person during the holiday season alone — a 25 per cent increase compared to the rest of the year. [1]

And, naturally, those numbers only scratch the surface. There’s also wasted electricity, food, disposable gifts… the list goes on and on. Fortunately, many of these wasteful holiday practices are just habits blown way out of proportion by companies trying to cash in on the holiday spirit.

Here are some ways you can make this year’s holiday season a more impact-conscious occasion, without sacrificing any of the holiday cheer!

Keep Your Holidays Waste-Free With A Mindset Of Sustainability

Though the holidays are undoubtedly a special time of the year, there’s no reason why they should cause us to suspend our efforts to live sustainable lifestyles. Though some mix of tradition, the desire to kick back and relax, and busy, event-packed schedules leads many otherwise impact-conscious people to suspend their usual carefulness, this doesn’t have to be the case.

In fact, the simplest way to reduce your impact these holidays is to continue to maintain and further develop the same sustainable lifestyle you do the rest of the year. Sticking to the basics is still as effective as ever: reduce, reuse, recycle. Letting these values guide your choices now and throughout the year is all that’s necessary.

On that note, here are some creative ways to apply these sustainable living basics to one of the most important holiday traditions of all: gifts!

Zero Waste Gift Ideas For A Sustainable and Unforgettable Holiday Season

1. Choose quality reusable gifts that will bring smiles for a lifetime.

When choosing the gifts you’ll give, consider their longevity and reuse value. Disposables, especially those made from plastics which will never truly biodegrade, should ideally be avoided. Beyond that, opting for fewer higher quality items will ensure that your gifts will continue to be used and cherished for years to come instead of quickly breaking and ending up in a landfill.

2. Make your own gifts, from beauty products to tasty treats, and fill them with extra love.

Many consumables make fun DIY projects and amazing gifts — what better way to show you care than to make something completely from scratch, after all? And, best of all, the options are nearly limitless; there are handy gift options for all needs and tastes: hand creams, lip balms, deodorants, bath bombs, shampoos and soaps, candied nuts, cookies, jams, or — for a wild card — plant cuttings.

3. Ditch gift wrap for a more sustainable option.

As we already established, buying gift wrap (much of which is unrecyclable) is one of the holiday season’s most wasteful traditions. Instead, opt for creative substitutes like colourful magazine pages, reused old maps, comics, and so on. Alternatively, use reusable packaging such as decorative tins, baskets, and boxes, or make your own custom cloth wrap and ribbons. The key is to simply skip the packaging or use something recyclable (and trendy) like old paper grocery bags and twine instead of tape!

4. Give the gift of experiences instead of the gift of things.

Most of us already have plenty of stuff. Instead, why not give the gift of an unforgettable special experience? A day trip somewhere fun, an excursion to an art gallery or museum, or even a pre-planned romantic date night are all great options. Opening the door to a new experience for someone is the gift that keeps on giving, who knows which new hobbies you might inspire. Beyond that, other nearly zero waste gifts include subscriptions, IOUs, and event tickets.

5. Give gifts that send an environmental message.

Your gift giving is a great opportunity to tastefully bring environmental concerns to the attention of loved ones and help them develop more sustainable lifestyles themselves. A tea or coffee lover, for example, would love a refillable thermos bottle or travel mug. A bookworm would probably enjoy reading something with an environmental lean as much as anything else.

Finally, for the person who’s always on the go and often relies on single-use plastic water bottles, a stylish reusable option given with love might just be the nudge they need to make the switch. If not that, then maybe we can recommend a gift of a few boxes of Cycle Water to help make their transition easier in the meanwhile? The cans are resealable and infinitely recyclable. Just saying. ;)

Sources:

[1] https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/canadians-to-toss-100000-elephants-worth-of-wrapping-paper-this-year-advocacy-group/article37448496/

[2] https://lbre.stanford.edu/pssistanford-recycling/frequently-asked-questions/frequently-asked-questions-holiday-waste-prevention

[3] https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/holiday-waste-how-to-create-less-recycle-what-you-make-1.4944808

But how did we get here? How did the idea of living with fewer possessions and less waste — something that was hardly on the radar for most people, even just fifteen years ago — suddenly become so trendy? How did the mantra of reduce, reuse, and recycle evolve from a boring waste management guideline to the foundation for some of the hippest and respected lifestyles around? Now there are even luxury designer reusable straws![1] What in the world is going on?

Though we can’t pin it to just one cause, the rising popularity of the three movements we’ll be looking at in this post have been key in spreading impact-conscious ideas, giving sustainability a healthy boost of the “cool-factor”. Let’s start off our trendy less-waste journey with…

1. Zero Waste — The New Three Rs: Reduce, Reduce, And Reduce

The zero-waste movement is based on one simple idea: if we want life on Earth to be truly sustainable, then we have no choice but to move towards a society that produces no waste at all. Though the end goal may seem big and daunting, it really is an important idea to keep in mind. Reaching that goal will inevitably be a long, multi-step process, that involves rethinking and re-imagining what we make, how we use it, and what happens to it after that. Though in the meantime small consistent steps are great ways to get a head start.

The rise of the zero waste mentality has been stunningly rapid. What started as small impact conscious decisions like using a reusable bottle or bringing a canvas bag to the grocery store has now blossomed into zero-waste grocery stores and zero waste delivery services, both of which have done away with all consumer-side disposable packaging. The movement is a living testament to the collective power that we have if we all take small strides towards our goal.

Best of all, there’s something decidedly cool about zero waste. It’s controlled, disciplined, caring, and educated. Maybe that’s why an Instagram post, like one of a glass container full of bulk beans, can today elicit so much support and admiration.

And, if all the talk about the path to zero waste in our previous posts and on our website hasn’t given it away already, the zero waste movement has been a huge inspiration for everything we do here at Cycle Water. From our reusable and infinitely recyclable cans to the broader waste-free vision we promote, zero waste ideas are always front and centre.

That’s because we know that, though ditching single-use plastics is the end goal and will be a big contribution towards building a zero-waste world, the path to that destination needs manageable steps, realistic alternatives, and the collective strength of millions of small, impact-conscious choices from each of us. It doesn’t have consist of huge scary changes in our lives.

2. Minimalism — Living Larger With Less

Minimalism has been around for quite some time, but the trendy minimalist lifestyles you’ll find on social media are fairly new. For minimalists, the focus of their lifestyle is shifted from a focus on the inevitable waste after consumption to the relationships found between people and their things.

The idea is this: by being mindful and choosing to only have things that you truly love, you will be a happier and more content person. Naturally, your waste output and environmental impact will also decrease alongside the decrease in consumption, which is a welcome added benefit. More than that your mindset will shift into a more sustainable gear, one that matches your lifestyle.

The focus on intent and connection also promotes a lot of overlap with zero-waste principles. Reusable items, low-impact biodegradable goods, and an avoidance of single-use plastic disposables are all found in most minimalist toolkits.

As for the movement’s popularity, between the clean and simple aesthetics of minimalist homes and wardrobes to the nearly timeless appeal of living plainly, the draw is hardly surprising. Especially in today’s hectic and material-packed world, quiet space and emptiness have a laid back vibe that’s undeniably cool.

3. Thrifting And Second-Hand Culture

With fast fashion rapidly filling closets and landfills with cheaply made, generic, unsustainable clothing meant to be quickly discarded, it’s no surprise that people are beginning to rebel.

Focusing primarily on the “reuse” aspect of the classic three R mantra, thrifters try to redirect financial support for unsustainable fast fashion multinationals to high-quality retro and vintage gear that’s already been made, worn, and discarded. By giving old clothes a new home, they save pieces otherwise destined for the dump while cutting additional consumption at the same time.

https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2015/07/12/19/23/clothing-842338_960_720.jpg

And, as far as style and trendiness are concerned, the thrifter’s unique collection of clothes is often a one-of-a-kind artistic expression of their personality. Each outfit is a stylish sign of aesthetic taste and conscious consumption that is as visually appealing as it is ethical, so it’s unsurprising that everyone from young influencers to A-list celebrities are getting in on the trend (and rightfully so, we all share this planet. It’s health is important to everyone).

Second-hand culture more broadly is just an extension of the thrifting mentality. Why buy something new when there’s something already out there which costs less and has much more personality? The choice is ethical, stylish, and cost-efficient. What’s there to lose?

Different Approaches To Less Waste Living For A Zero Waste World

In all, each of these movements takes a slightly different road to achieve a similar goal: living less wastefully in the hopes of one day achieving a zero-waste world. And, to a large extent, these different approaches are not at all mutually exclusive.

Each of us has different interests and needs, so we may be drawn to different starting places for our journey to zero waste, but the end goal is one we all share. Together we can all take small steps, make small changes and, in time, those small contributions will add up to something much bigger than anyone could have imagined.

Sources:

[1] https://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/2019/04/230548/luxury-reusable-straws-trend

[2] https://www.virgin.com/entrepreneur/green-new-black-what-culture-conscious-consumerism

[3] https://www.vox.com/the-goods/2019/1/28/18196057/zero-waste-plastic-pollution

[4] https://www.documentjournal.com/2019/03/tracking-this-seasons-hot-new-trend-environmentalism/

[5] https://www.becomingminimalist.com/what-is-minimalism/

[6] https://www.thegoodwear.com/home/why-we-should-shop-second-hand

[7] http://zwia.org/zwh/

Here are some numbers and facts (correction: some very concerning numbers and facts) to get you up to speed:

• Of the 8,300 million tonnes of plastic made since 1950, over 6,400 million tonnes (that’s over 75%!) has already become waste — and nearly 80% of it is in landfills or the natural environment, with only 9% having been recycled.[1]
• The famous Pacific Garbage Patches (there are three already, by the way) are actually not visible islands of waste — in reality, they are a soupy mix of plastic chunks and small microplastics too small to see from a boat or plane, making them all the more deadly for fish, birds, whales, and turtles.[2]
• The amount of plastic waste entering the oceans each year is enough to pile five grocery bags full of plastic on every foot of coastline around the world.[3]
• If these rates of plastic waste continue, then plastic will outweigh all the fish in the sea as soon as 2050.[4]
• Plastics “make up 80% of all marine debris from surface waters to deep-sea sediments.”[5]
• Though ocean-based plastic waste like discarded fishing gear is also an issue, 80% of all marine debris comes from sources on land — not too surprising considering around 50% of all plastic is made for use in single-use products intended to be thrown out.[6]

Clearly, this is a big, major, even gigantic problem, one that is even more concerning because it is happening largely unnoticed right beneath our noses, with Canada playing no small part. Fortunately, there are many ways for you to take steps right now to start moving things in the right direction.

Simple Steps You Can Take Today To Help Reduce Ocean Plastic

1. Use reusable beverage containers for fast food and cafe drinks

According to the Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup report in 2017, plastic lids were by far the most common find at a whopping 4.3 million units.[6] The figure is hardly surprising considering how frequently each Canadian uses and discards these cup lids. Asking for your beverage to be put in a reusable container or bringing your own from home are two ways of helping address this issue.

2. Avoid single-use plastic bottles (PET) as much as possible

After plastic lids, single-use plastic bottles and plastic bottle caps were the runners-up at 1.5 million and 800,000 units, respectively.[6] Here too a reusable water bottle from home can go a long way. Alternatively, opt for water in a reusable and infinitely recyclable aluminum can like Cycle Water’s when your own water bottle isn’t an option.

3. Reduce how often you eat fast food and take out, or bring your own container

700,000 food wrappers scattered on the world’s beaches in 2017 alone[6] suggest that cooking at home or bringing your own glass or tin takeaway container is the impact-conscious choice to make.

4. Choose clothes made from sustainably-sourced natural materials

To the surprise of many Canadians, washing plastic-based synthetic materials like polyester actually releases plastic microfibres into the water, which eventually make their way into lakes and oceans. Natural fibers like cotton don’t have the same problem and are also biodegradable. You can even get a microplastic absorber for your washing machine which is sure to reduce the volume of microfibers that get flushed away into our water supply.

5. Minimize the use of disposable hygiene tools like toothbrushes, razors, etc.

Naturally, the less plastic each of us uses and throws away, the better. Consider switching to a biodegradable toothbrush made from a natural material like bamboo. Similarly, razors with disposable blades result in less waste than fully disposable razors.

6. Recycle everything and make sure to do it correctly

Being realistic, it is hard to ignore the modern reliance on plastic. This should go without saying, but for the plastics we do need to use they must be recycled effectively and correctly. Correctly? Yes, you heard right, there’s a method to recycling. One of the most important steps we can take is to clean recyclables of all organic materials and other contaminants like soiled paper towels or napkins (Use your green bin for those instead!).

You might be surprised to learn that the majority of plastic doesn’t actually ever make it to the recycling bin. Your simple actions can ensure that the plastic that does make it in also counts and is recyclable. Choosing to use non-plastic recyclables like aluminum, which are much easier to recycle, is another good way to reduce your impact.

7. Learn as much as you can and advocate for change

Though we can and should all take the smalls steps that we can to reduce our own impacts, the problem is bigger than any of us can deal with alone. The path to zero waste is long and requires us to work together. Building awareness, inventing better alternatives to plastics, and advocating for large-scale change are the only ways to eventually get to a zero-waste world.

Here at Cycle Water, we are doing everything we can to promote and support your journey on this path to zero waste, from the water we offer in our resealable and infinitely recyclable aluminum can to the waste-free vision that our deceptively simple cans represent.

Articles like these are also a good place to start your journey of learning and advocacy for both individual and systemic change, and we’re proud to be able to provide them. So let’s continue to move forward together, one step at a time, starting today rather than tomorrow.

Sources:

[1] https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2017/07/plastic-age/533955/

[2] https://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/15/opinion/sunday/from-ocean-to-beach-tons-of-plastic-pollution.html

[3] https://www.bluehabits.org/fight-plastic-pollution

[4] https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/campaigns/ocean_plastics/

[5] https://www.iucn.org/resources/issues-briefs/marine-plastics

[6] https://sloactive.com/plastic-pollution/

Greenwashing is the manipulative marketing practice of using “green” imagery and deceptive claims to conceal ecologically harmful practices. It’s probably best known for its use by big corporate polluters in a variety of industries.

Though, more often than not, greenwashing is employed more subtly in places much closer to home. You might have even already been exposed to the concept from the supposedly “eco-friendly” promises on the labeling of laundry detergent or meat products. In reality, neither of these items are as eco-friendly as they claim.

But would it surprise you to learn that single use plastic water bottles also employ this technique in even more subtle ways? Consider this: when faced with a choice of beverage, how likely are you to choose a plastic water bottle… it doesn’t seem very harmful. After all, it’s recyclable at least, right?

Or is it…?

How Recyclable Are Single Use Plastics, Really?

To be fair, it is true that, of the seven classifications of plastic (#1-#7), the #1 type of plastic (also called PET or polyethylene terephthalate) used in single use water bottles is technically the most recyclable.[1] That said, however, PET water bottles are only the most recyclable IF they are actually recycled, and even when they are recycled they are still not particularly efficient.

Unlike metals (including the aluminum used in our Cycle Water cans), plastic cannot be recycled infinitely because the recycling process continually downgrades the plastic’s quality, eventually to the point that it can no longer be used at all.[1] The recycling process itself is also complicated, expensive, and reaps unclear carbon-reduction results.[3]

So while it is technically true that recycling plastic water bottles is better than not recycling them, using them to begin with is hardly the impact-conscious choice.

This fact is part of the reason why the greenwashing is so subtle — it works beneath the surface. You are led to believe that throwing something like a used bottle into the blue bin means that bottle will be reused to make a new bottle, but that’s not actually the case more often than not, especially because…

Most Single Use Water Bottles Are Never Recycled

The “if” in “if plastic water bottles are recycled” is an easily overlooked keyword. For one, most people simply do not actually recycle their plastic. In all, the world has produced 8.3 billion tonnes of original plastic but recycled only 9% of it.[3]

While recycling used bottles is definitely the right choice, their presence on store shelves at all will inevitably result in many of them ending up in landfills and oceans. There, they will take hundreds of years to degrade, and even then only into smaller plastics which already kill over 100,000 marine animals and one million seabirds per year.[2]

Canada specifically also doesn’t have the necessary infrastructure to process a lot of our plastic waste. That means other countries, previously China and more recently the countries of Southeast Asia, are constantly receiving shipments of tens of thousands of tonnes of trash every month to be recycled on our behalf.[5]

In reality, the most impact-conscious choice is not just recycling single use plastic water bottles. It’s about taking small steps towards eliminating the need for them to be made in the first place. And that’s why…

We’re Creating Sustainable Product Life Cycles, On-The-Go Canned Water That’s Here To Stay

Here at Cycle Water, we knew that there had to be a way for people who couldn’t bring a reusable bottle with them to access high quality spring water that was sustainably sourced and packaged. There had to be a middle ground, a stepping stone of sorts for us to wean ourselves off our dependence on the convenience of single use plastics.

After much research and development, we introduced the revolutionary resealable and infinitely recyclable aluminum can we use today to package our alkaline and mineral rich premium spring water. But we know that Cycle Water’s contribution is only one step forward on this journey towards a zero waste world.

Sourced in small batches, uses aluminum, and is infinitely recyclable check off the majority of important boxes for anything impact conscious and environmentally friendly. Though we too are against greenwashing and recognize that no matter how sustainably produced anything is, it will still have some impact on the planet, and that includes Cycle Water’s canned water. Change doesn’t happen overnight, which is why our goal is to offer a slightly better alternative to what currently exists. Something that has a proven, smaller, and more impact conscious environmental footprint. It also helps that our natural spring water is rich in alkaline and glacial sediment minerals to hydrate your body. But if you want the most sustainable option and have access to it, drink from the tap.

Our own path to sustainability isn’t sugar coated with greenwashed branding and celebration, its grounded in the never-ending hard work necessary to progress towards a zero waste world. There is always more we can do, and more that we will continue to try.

In our modern fast paced world it is often hard to zoom out and understand the entire life cycle of a product. That’s why we embody and promote sustainable lifestyles through everything we do — because together we can enact lasting positive change, one small choice (and sip) at a time. Join us on our journey.

Sources:

[1] https://blog.nationalgeographic.org/2018/04/04/7-things-you-didnt-know-about-plastic-and-recycling/

[2] https://www.thebalancesmb.com/an-overview-of-plastic-recycling-4018761

[3] https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/aug/17/plastic-recycling-myth-what-really-happens-your-rubbish

[4] https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2016/aug/20/greenwashing-environmentalism-lies-companies

[5] https://www.greenpeace.org/canada/en/qa/6971/media-briefing-canadas-plastic-waste-export-trends-following-chinas-import-ban/

Cycle Water is more than just a canned water brand, for us, it’s about living a balanced lifestyle, and that includes a little adventure. Most of all it’s about building a sustainable mindset that helps each of us to pursue our individual journeys’ with sustainability in mind whether we’re talking about our environmental impact, or even our mental health, physical health, and finances.

No matter what your lifestyle is like, there are ways for you to quench your thirst for adventure without hurting the planet (or your wallet)!

All you need is a little curiosity and a desire to discover the beauty all around you. Okay, maybe you also need something to drink for when you get thirsty (our canned spring water has your back on that front, and the resealable can metaphorically has “adventure time” written all over it — just saying).

Plus, if we all reconnect with the world right on our doorstep and learn that meaningful adventures can be sustainable too, we’ll be one step closer to a zero waste world. We believe that the path to zero waste isn’t about sacrifice — it’s about realizing that simple decisions can add up to and end up making a positive impact.

Anyway, here are a few easy and sustainable adventure ideas to get your started on your journey:

1. Explore the Outdoors

What is more inspiring and recharging than a romp through a nearby trail? The Japanese call it “Forest Bathing”. Here at Cycle Water we are fortunate enough to have the stunning wilderness of the Canadian Shield all around us.

But pretty much everyone everywhere lives just a short distance away from a little piece of nature worth visiting.

Even something as simple as a peaceful walk through a nearby park could do the trick! Just make sure to bring some snacks and a few cans of water to keep yourself fueled and hydrated for the fun ahead.

2. Get Lost In The City

If a nature walk doesn’t tickle your fancy and you’re more of an urbanite at heart, there’s plenty of adventure to be found (much of it for free) right in your own city. Explore a new neighbourhood, go skating in the park, maybe tie up those sneakers put on a hat and go for a winter run, or stop off at that cafe you always wanted to try (bring your refillable coffee mug, and maybe you’ll see a Cycle Water on the shelf to take with you 😋), or even revisit someplace you drive or commute past regularly — but this time on foot.

We know it feels like winter already, but you may be pleasantly surprised by how much a place you thought you knew can open up in new ways with only a small change in perspective. Take things slow and let everything around you sink in.

3. Read A Book Or Kick Back With A Little #SelfCare

One of the key beliefs driving everything we do here at Cycle Water is that, though everyone’s life cycle takes them to different places in different ways, we’re all connected by the things we share, and adventure is no different. All of the adventure ideas so far have been about getting outdoors and getting active, but we know that some people would much rather stay in. Not to worry! There are life-changing adventures to be had even from the comfort of your own home.

Why not crack open that book you’ve been putting off reading and get your dose of adventure that way? Or, if reading isn’t your thing, perhaps some time away from tech (getting some quality R&R) is the #selfcare adventure you need and deserve. A digital detox can be just the thing to get you trying out a new activity or spending some time with loved ones.

As you can see, the sky’s the limit when it comes to adventure. Hopefully this list has given you some good ideas for your own unique adventures and shown you that sustainable adventures are not only possible but can be downright awesome too.

We can all make our own unique contributions on our shared path to zero waste and have a ton of fun doing it. So cheers to that!

But what is balance exactly? How does it fit into your life? Why does it matter? Let’s dive in a little deeper…

A Balanced Lifestyle Means Many Things

A balanced lifestyle… it sure sounds nice, but what is it and how do you actually do it? Honestly, that’s a difficult question to answer because everyone’s balance will be different. You are on your own individual journey, one that is truly unique to you. But that doesn’t mean each of our paths doesn’t have some overlap!

To us, a balanced lifestyle is all about doing good things sustainably so that you can do them again tomorrow. Whether that’s in your exercise routine, your work habits, or the things you choose to consume, balance is essential.

That belief is central to Cycle Water: we want to help you be active through delicious, sustainable hydration, we want to remind you to push yourself just the right amount, and we want to do all that while helping you make more impact-conscious decisions each day.

The Canned Water To Help You Be In Motion

There were many reasons we chose to start Cycle Water, but two are the most important: 1) we wanted delicious, impact-conscious water to be available on all store shelves, and 2) we wanted our canned water to serve as a handy reminder, and a little dose of encouragement, to keep moving towards a more balanced lifestyle, one step at a time.

No matter where your individual path takes you, the Cycle Water in your hand will not only hydrate you, but also give you the psychological boost you need to be in motion and avoid becoming stagnant.

Every Sip Is One Step Closer To A Balanced World

Striving to be balanced in your individual path is one of the best ways for us all to come together to be the change that we need in the world. When each of us becomes a healthier, more conscious, and considerate person, then each of us will make decisions that benefit not only us as individuals, but all of us as a whole.

One of those conscious decisions will be health related: no more sugary drinks brimming with additives. A can of delicious Canadian spring water tastes better anyway.

Another one will be about choosing to live actively, and there’s a lightweight resealable can (wink wink) ready to support that decision.

And, to top everything off, one will be about treating the environment with respect, and making sure that our actions today are sustainable enough to preserve what we have for the future. In that regard, our infinitely recyclable can is a big step forward on the path to zero waste.

Now that we’re here, we might as well go together. Adventure awaits and Cycle Water wants to be apart of yours!

The convenience of single-use plastic bottles are among the most frequently thrown away objects, to the tune of hundreds of billions of bottles a year. [1] Plastic bottles litter nearly every corner of the Earth and, worst of all, they don’t biodegrade, instead lasting generations, only to break down into ever-smaller microplastics that continue to cause harm.

Some might say, “we could just ban them completely, starting today,” but the challenge isn’t so easy to solve. The conveniences of modern life make that hard, and the path to a zero waste world is both an individual mission and a collective journey. For many it can start with something as simple as a straw or bottle of water.

From our perspective, the most sustainable option is the tap, but sometimes that isn’t an option and we find ourselves using packaged water more and more. The simple fact is people still demand the convenience of an on-the-go packaged water. On your path to zero waste, we want to provide a sustainable alternative, making that transition more convenient. That is one of the inspirations that drive our team.

We knew that there had to be some way to replicate the convenience of bottled water in a more sustainable way without the ecological burden of using plastic. With a little ingenuity and a drive to make a difference, that’s exactly what we were able to accomplish with Cycle Water.

Here are some ways replacing plastic bottled water with our resealable aluminum cans is bringing us one step closer to a zero waste world:

1) Each Can We Make Means Less Plastic Used

Less plastic, less problems. Some things are really that easy. Plastic bottled water is simply no good for the environment: they take tons of energy to make, contain toxins, don’t biodegrade, and can’t even be recycled into new bottles (if they do ever make it to recycling — 91% of them sadly won’t).[2]

That’s why we chose to ditch single-use plastics and opt for a much better material: aluminum. Unlike plastic, 91% of which isn’t recycled [2], aluminum is the most recycled packaging material.[4] Recycled plastic cannot be used for new drink containers, but recycled aluminum definitely can, making the production cycle practically self-sustaining. Better yet, secondary (i.e. recycled) aluminum production uses 95% less energy, meaning fewer emissions!

Many governments, including Canada’s, are now finally moving towards bans on single-use plastics.[3] Plastic bottled water aren’t included in these bans yet, but we might as well take initiative and kickstart that change on our own.

Aluminum doesn’t have the same problems as plastic does, which is why we prefer to use cans for our spring water. In essence, every can of Cycle Water means one less plastic bottle stranded somewhere out there in the wild.

And we’re on track to minimize plastic use quite a bit, especially now that our vision for a cleaner future has brought us into one of Canada’s biggest grocery chains. Now, many Canadians in Ontario will finally have the choice between single-use plastic and a Cycle Water ..

2) Convenience, it’s time you meet Canada’s First Resealable Can

The problem with cans has always been that they were a one-and-done deal, leading many to prefer the convenience of resealable plastic water bottles. If you cracked open a canned beverage, you were committing to finishing the whole thing because carrying the open can around was just not realistic. Until now, that is.

Cycle Water is Canada’s first resealable can of spring water. Our can’s revolutionary resealable lid makes it just as convenient. It has all the functionality of a plastic bottled water but in a far more sustainable form factor.

Now you can hydrate to your heart’s content, knowing that you can take as few or as many sips as you like before resealing it and putting the half-full can safely back in your bag.

The journey continues with you. In our own unique way each of us can make a valuable contribution on the path to zero waste. Some of you might already be well on your way, for others it will take longer, but we all have an obligation to collectively take a step back from the edge. A big step in the right direction is choosing canned water over single-use plastic bottles. Making less waste, and purchasing items that can actually be recycled, will help. We each have our path, where will yours take you?

Sources:

1. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jun/28/a-million-a-minute-worlds-plastic-bottle-binge-as-dangerous-as-climate-change

2. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2017/07/plastic-produced-recycling-waste-ocean-trash-debris-environment/

3. https://pm.gc.ca/en/news/news-releases/2019/06/10/canada-ban-harmful-single-use-plastics-and-hold-companies-responsible

4. https://www.aluminum.org/news/aluminum-can-recycling-holds-historically-high-levels/

We hope everyone had a chance to spend some quality time with the special people in their lives, sharing good food and good times.

And, in keeping with the spirit of gratefulness that makes this holiday so special, we thought that now would be the perfect time to also reflect on the things that we’re grateful for. And there’s quite a few of them!

We’re Grateful For Canada’s Beautiful And Bountiful Nature

The Canadian landscape, this rugged wilderness in our country’s backyard, has been important to team since our inception. Nature’s cycles are prevalent in the seasonal changes here, just as nature adapts we too embrace the changes happening in our lives. Enjoying each season for its merits.

But, there is something special about the fall here in Canada. The brightly coloured leaves, the peaceful chilled breeze, the crisp morning air are all a subtle reminder that winter’s snowfall is just around the corner… so we have to make the time count.

We’re Grateful For The Opportunity To Make A Difference

Though the challenges we as a society face as large and daunting, we welcome the opportunity to be a part of the change. We know that the situation is dire. Our environmentally-conscious canned water is just one small part of a much larger whole.

But, still, we’re firm believers in the idea that every small step forward counts. We’re thankful to be in a position that allows us to change the world in a concrete and positive way each day, all while spreading awareness about the problems we face and the solutions that are possible.

We’re Grateful For The Existence Of Alternatives To The Status Quo

When the list of problems facing us continues to grow and grow with seemingly no end in sight, it’s all too tempting to fall into despair and give up entirely. Fortunately, there are alternatives, there are solutions, and there are talented, passionate people taking up the mantle to bring about change in the various ways they can.

We’re optimistic because we believe in human compassion and ingenuity. As more and more people begin to take part in the global shift towards environmentally-conscious living, the values that drive us will surely eventually reach critical mass. Given the right information, people will care and feasible solutions to even the most difficult problems will eventually be found.

Most Importantly — We’re Grateful For You! The Wonderful People Who Make All This Possible

If it weren’t for each and every one of the wonderful people drinking our canned water and spreading the word about what we’re doing, we would not be here today. We are truly blown away by the response and the support we have received so far on this journey.

Our product, and also our values and goals, have resonated with people more powerfully than we could have ever imagined. For that, we are grateful above all. Together, we can surely accomplish anything we set our minds to, one step, one can, at a time.

We’re also very thankful for all our early retailer network support. 10 months out the gate and we feel right at home! Your belief and support has been amazing!

Thank you all, from the bottom of our hearts!

PS We have been hard at work getting another big retailer ready for you, our awesome customers! Stay tuned!

PPS We’re thinking of making these blasts a weekly affair. Thoughts? In the comments below.