While sales of bottled mineral water are currently estimated at £1.7bn per year, the tide is beginning to turn and now cost is not the only reason for the rise in popularity of mains-fed systems. Consumers and pressure groups are becoming aware of the huge negative impact the bottled water industry is having on the environment.

In the beginning, the main driver for introducing a mains-fed drinking water system was a cost saving. However, over the last few years there has been a dramatic shift in emphasis. Green credentials have become increasingly important as large corporations start to question the environmental impact of their business operations.

For example, just 17 per cent of the estimated two billion bottles used for branded mineral water are re-cycled each year. Our research shows that 80 per cent of a typical city office's glass packaging waste is attributed to mineral water. Add to this the negative impact of excessive ‘water miles' incurred while transporting bottled water to the UK from as far away as Canada, Fiji and Turkey, along with its unnecessary fuel usage and harmful emissions, and it is clear that an alternative, greener method of providing purified drinking water needs to be adopted.

From day one, our priority has always been to help companies reduce their impact on the environment by offering a range of mains-fed drinking water systems which have been specifically designed to combat the increasing demand for pre-bottled mineral waters. Making use of tap water which has already been purified and distributed to the point of use easily wins the environmental battle with bottled water.

As a result, many companies are realising the benefits of a mains-fed drinking water system, such as those offered by Vivreau, as an alternative to bottled mineral water. With many different dispense options available from the V2O - a sleek tap - to floor standing unit such as the VR2000 and VR3000 table top machines, Vivreau's systems dispense purified chilled, still, sparkling, ambient and hot water at the point of use.

Alternatively, customers can opt for LinkLine, a completely integrated system, which enables an entire building to be serviced from one centrally located unit, usually installed in a plant room environment. Using far less energy than individual units, this system is typically 25 per cent more cost effective than stand alone units.

For businesses wanting water in glass bottles, for hotels, restaurants, bars and even offices, Vivreau offers its environmentally friendly and innovative Bottling Systems. These come with attractive, reusable glass bottles in 50cl, 75cl and 1 litres sizes - all of which can be branded - and a purpose-designed bottle washing system. This eliminates the need for regular deliveries as well as the disposal of empty bottles and packaging.

Our research shows that approximately 70 per cent of every 1 litre bottle of water is returned at least a third full. So we actively encourage clients who are using this system to transfer from the 1 litre bottle to the 50cl bottle to help minimise water wastage.

As well as the environmental issues, Vivreau's mains-fed drinking water systems have a host of logistical benefits for businesses, too. For example, facilities managers tasked with the job of overseeing water supplies no longer have to transport large volumes of heavy water bottles to various dispense units on different floors within a building. There are never any concerns over storing the water at the right temperature or keeping the kitchen area clean and hygienic.

What's more, with a mains-fed system, fresh water is always available and never runs out, so there's no ordering required and no waiting around for the delivery man to call. More importantly, a mains-fed system makes great commercial sense. It has been estimated that compared with bottled mineral water it can reduce drinking water costs by 40-80 per cent, depending on the volumes of bottled water previously being consumed.

The installation of a mains-fed system has an immediate and dramatic impact on a company's carbon footprint and, therefore, more and more companies are specifying them. In addition to substantially reducing the costs associated with purchasing pre-bottled mineral waters, a mains-fed system will eliminate the need for regular deliveries as well as the disposal of empty bottles and packaging materials. Our clients, especially the larger corporates, are putting these types of environmental concerns before cost savings and we see this as a trend which is going to continue long into the future.

http://www.vivreau.com/

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