lined with plastic-based linings.” Some metal bottles do have BPA linings, a fact that was made public a couple of years ago. Brandon Silveira is with Envirosax, a company that has enjoyed enormous success
with its reusable bags, and which recently ventured into the reusable bottle market with the introduction of Envirosax Aqua, a designer reusable water bottle. “It’s pretty much impossible with the linings and the lids to get a product that is
100 percent BPA-free,” says Silveira. Envirosax advertises their bottles as “BPA- safe,” he says. They test at two parts/billion which, he says, is “well, well below FDA regulatory standards.” But confusion reigns, he says, even among those in the industry, some of whom are not entirely forthcoming he notes. The confusion, lack of information, and lack of industry standards require
wholesalers and retailers to spend time educating and informing consumers—and each other.
Essential education Wholesalers say the key to selling their products is reaching out to, educating and building relationships with retailers. Allison Tryk is with EarthLust, a California-based company
that produces stainless steel bottles with distinctive designs. For retailers, point-of-sale information is important, says Tryk. This might include facts about the environment as well as descriptions of the product and what it’s made of. Stacey Feeley is the founder of Silikids, which was
launched in 2006 by two friends and mothers concerned about the use of toxic materials in children’s products. Silikids bottles are silicone-sleeved glass bottles offered as an alternative to plastic. Working one-on-one with retailers has been a key part of Silikids’ educational outreach, she says.
ALADDIN
Want Dianne Martz is with Sustainable Life Solutions, a retailer of sustainable living products, including reusable bottles, in Bolton, MA. Generally, she says, customers look for a few key qualities in a reusable bottle:
What Customers
� Sturdiness. “They’re worried about denting and breakage, especially if they have children.”
� Attractiveness. “Color and style do matter, as does a well known brand name.”
� Taste quality. “Some people are sensitive to a metallic taste with metal bottles, and prefer glass or ceramic.”
� Cap style. “Some prefer a sports cap that they can drink from; others prefer to remove the cap and drink straight from the bottle. It’s highly individualized.”
� Cost. “They need to believe that they are getting good value for their money, and the prices on reusable bottles can be a bit shocking to some folks.”
� Ability to fit in a car cup holder. GREENSENDER LLC
� Ease of cleaning. “Being able to run through a dishwasher is a huge plus.”
GREENRetailerMag.com Winter 2011 n GREENRetailer 133
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