Why water bottles score so well as a sustainable gift

The average office worker drinks 2 to 4 small bottles of water a day. Replace those with one reusable bottle, and that employee saves more than 700 single-use bottles a year. For your brand that means a daily touchpoint over several years, and for the planet less plastic in the chain. It makes the water bottle the most useful corporate gift in our range.

The four materials: strengths and weaknesses

Stainless steel

Stainless steel is the most sustainable choice in the long run. Double-walled insulated stainless steel bottles keep drinks hot for 8 to 12 hours and cold for 18 to 24 hours. They last 10+ years, are fully recyclable and do not affect the taste. Ideal for premium corporate gifts and workwear teams. See our thermos flasks.

Glass

Glass is taste-neutral, 100% recyclable and has a premium look. The downside: it is fragile and heavier to carry. Ideal for office use with tap water. Often combined with a recycled silicone or cork sleeve.

RPET (recycled PET)

Light, affordable and made from old single-use bottles. Ideal for on the go, festivals, sports bottles and bulk runs. Slightly less sustainable than stainless steel in the long term, but strong in terms of CO2 savings per unit produced. Ask for the GRS certificate. See our sustainable water bottles.

Tritan (BPA-free plastic)

Strong, light and clear. Not biodegradable, but BPA-free. A popular choice for sports bottles and children’s bottles. Ideally, combine it with an Ocean Bound Plastic project for a stronger sustainability story.

Brands that are genuinely sustainable

• Ocean Bottle: every bottle funds the collection of 1,000 plastic bottles in coastal communities. B Corp certified.
• Vinga Erie RCS: 100% recycled polyester + recycled stainless steel, RCS certificate.
• Avery rPET water bottle: 100% RPET, GRS certificate.
• Isforden Mark rPET: sports bottles made from 100% RPET, GRS certificate.
• R Swing Soft Touch: stainless steel thermos with powder coating, low weight.
• Alchemy Soft Touch: premium stainless steel thermos with vacuum insulation.
• Biter foldable bottle: compact for on the go, Tritan or silicone.

Printing or engraving

For stainless steel bottles we recommend laser engraving: no ink, no coating, the logo is subtly burnt into the material. For RPET and glass, water-based screen printing or digital printing works well. Avoid solvent inks and PVC transfers for a consistent sustainability story.

Packaging

As standard, we supply sustainable water bottles in cardboard sleeves made of FSC paper. For premium gift boxes we combine a recycled sleeve, a handwritten card and optionally a bottle opener. All plastic-free.

Measuring impact

Over its lifetime, a stainless steel thermos replaces an average of 2,500 single-use bottles. Expressed in CO2, that saves around 350 kg CO2 equivalent per bottle. For larger orders we supply an impact report that you can add to your sustainability report. More on our CO2 page.

Frequently asked questions about sustainable water bottles

What is the difference between RPET and Tritan?

RPET comes from recycled PET bottles. Tritan is a strong, BPA-free plastic based on virgin material. RPET is more sustainable in terms of raw material, Tritan is stronger in terms of impact resistance.

Are engraved logos hard-wearing?

Yes. Laser engraving stays legible for the entire lifetime of the bottle and does not come off in the dishwasher.

Are glass bottles practical as a corporate gift?

Excellent for office use. Less so for sport or on the go, because they are fragile. Ideally, combine them with a recycled silicone sleeve.

How many single-use bottles does one stainless steel bottle replace?

Over a lifetime of 10 years and 5 uses a week, around 2,500 bottles.

Request your water bottle quote

We help you with material, technique, packaging and documentation. From 100 units we work to your specifications. Contact us for a sustainable water bottle quote.