Sustainable packaging for healthy drink

Fruit and vegetables are available in a wide range of varieties: presorted or blended to smoothies, in practical portion sizes, in sustainable packaging and with long shelf-lives – the health trend has long reached the beverage sector and offers an extensive and varied range of products. Among them are reusable drinking bottle systems for flavoured waters, which are immensely popular among consumers.

AIR UP – SCENTS ADD TASTE

The drinking bottle system created by German start-up air up is based solely on scents that provide the sensation of taste when drinking. As soon as users raise the bottle that has been designed especially for this system to their lips and start to drink the water therein, a scented ring placed on the bottle automatically releases scented air. The scent rises up to the olfactory centre; instead of perceiving pure liquid, the brain now believes it is drinking flavoured water.

Currently, air up is available in five different flavours that do not contain sugar, calories or additives. The flavours provided by the ring-shaped scent pods are obtained exclusively from real fruits, plants and spices. The recyclable plastic pods can flavour around five litres of still or sparkling water each and can be disposed of in the recycling when they are done. The drinking bottle holds 650 millilitres and is made out of titan, whilst the mouthpiece is made out of food-safe silicon. The wrist strap on the lid is replaceable.

PepsiCo company Drinkfinity, based in Florida, offers consumers a tasty drinking experience and aims to reduce packaging waste at the same time. The drinking system comprises a reusable water bottle that holds about 600 millilitres and separate, sealed pods filled with either dry or liquid ingredients. Once the pods have been firmly attached to the bottle, the flavours and water are combined to create a refreshing drink with no artificial flavours or sweetening. 

According to company statements, the reusable bottles and pods have allowed Drinkfinity to avoid significant amounts of waste: A 20-ounce pod contains up to 65 percent less plastic than comparable beverage packaging and also allows more efficient shipping and storage. Drinkfinity is currently developing a technology for pods made out of 100 percent recycled PET plastic. The PepsiCo subsidiary also cooperates with non-profit organisation Water.org and Loop Industries, to whom customers can send their empty pods for recycling.

London-based company Turtle Sodas offers its customers much more than just beverages that are low in sugar and calories, have no artificial additives and are sold in recyclable aluminium cans. It also aims to do good with the proceeds of the cans. Turtle Sodas uses its soda packaging to raise awareness for the global threat to sea turtles. Founder Caitlin Egen and her team use social media, talks at schools and webinars to inform the public about the endangered sea turtle. They have established the Turtle Fund to collect donations and direct them to selected protection projects.

The traditional company Henderson and Sons has been offering its customers not only delicious snacks for 160 years but expanded its product range to include healthy smoothies. The pre-cut fruit and vegetable mixtures are delivered pre-portioned in recyclable polyethylene (LPDE) bags, so they simply have to be placed in a blender; depending on taste, by adding apple juice, milk or alcohol. Fill, blend, serve and enjoy – without time-consuming preparation. The fresh ingredients do not contain any artificial colors or flavor enhancers; thanks to freezing them as per the IQF process all the nutrients are preserved, resulting in a healthy smoothie.