Paper next big thing for bottled water
The “360 Paper Water Bottle” could make inroads into the bottled water market – which has recently copped a pasting for being environmentally-unfriendly – and ease consciences (somewhat) about the favoured product.
(Research has suggested it takes 2,000 times more energy to produce bottled water than tap water, and that plastic bottles have a low recycling rate. The bad feeling towards plastic-bottled water saw it banned in the NSW town of Bundanoon, with others heralding talk of banning the money spinner.)
The 360 Bottle, designed by New York inventor Jim Warner of Brandimage, is a single-serve water bottle made from paper derived from bamboo or palm leaves. A pulp exoskeleton protects the inner barrier.
The bottle was a finalist in last month’s International Next Big Thing Award, a global competition that aims to find the best Australian and international innovations. The contest is run by INNOVIC, an Australian not-for-profit organisation whose primary objectives include developing and commercialising new technologies.
Of his project, Jim Warner says, “Here in the US, 60 million plastic bottles are thrown out each year. Only 14 per cent are recycled. I wanted to create something that challenged the ‘norms’ and was sustainable, elegant and practical.”
Made with 90-95 per cent less polymer than plastic bottles, the single-serve water bottle is made from two pieces of paper that are fused together by a micro-thin polylactic acid; this layer also provides a liquid and air barrier. The lid is peeled off and separated instead of being unscrewed; one half then becomes a drinking unit that is plug-fitted into the bottle to keep the bottle dust free, while the other half is attached to a finger loop and used to reseal the bottle.
Being paper, the bottle is 100 per cent recyclable. The bottle’s design also allows for self bundling, eliminating the need for separate six-pack packaging or extra shipping containers – again, reducing environmental costs.
While Warner wanted to “completely redefine the consumer experience” and see his paper bottle become the new symbol of responsible design, it will be interesting to see how quickly – or whether at all – the idea takes off. Bottled water is de rigeur in some circles. With presentation high on the agenda, consumers often go for “crystal clear” water.
However, the right consumer education might get across the message from Joss Evans, CEO of INNOVIC, who says the 360 bottle not only cuts polymer use by up to 95 per cent, but is the first totally-recyclable paper container made from renewable resources.
And even if it doesn’t have the same look as clear containers, the 360 bottle might gain its popularity from the “frugalistas” – the new “in group”, to whom saving, recycling and being frugal are so very much preferred to the ostentatiousness of the “brand name consumers”.
Either that, or they make a great tool to pop under a colleague’s chair cushion…
No funds? No impediment!
Even the lack of a joint-venture partner – and funding – has not stopped Gunns Ltd beginning preliminary work to build its $2-billion-plus proposed pulp mill.
Late last month Gunns confirmed it would begin work this month at both the Bell Bay site and on the associated water pipeline route. In a decision that drew much rancour earlier this year, the Federal Government said Gunns could actually start building the mill even though it couldn’t operate it. Yet. Gunns still needs to pass the final stage of an environmental assessment by Environment Minister Peter Garrett to operate what it’s legally allowed to build.
Gunns’ external relations manager, Frances Duffy, told the Examiner newspaper that consultation with neighbours of the proposed mill had “gone well, with many people welcoming the news that work was starting”.
The paper also reported Duffy as saying, “People are telling me they are tired of hearing about the pulp mill, they say either do it or don’t, do but don’t keep talking about it; so we are just getting on with it.”
Last month’s confirmation came despite no further news of whether Swedish pulp and paper company Sodra would indeed become a JV partner. Gunns had earlier advised it would announce a JV deal; but even by its own suggested timeline of 30 June, announcements were more like “firmed suggestions” than set-in-stone deals.
In an end-of-financial-year statement to the Australian Stock Exchange, Gunns said it had made a decision to “move forward with one firm“, while discussions with financial institutions to fund the mill had “progressed”.
Control over the project appears to be among the stumbling blocks for a JV, with Gunns insisting it will be majority owner – but not by much it would seem (potentially also part of the issue).
In June, The Age said Gunns needed to raise at least $1.2 billion to finance its share of the project – “despite having a market cap of $450 million and $540 million in debt at the start of the year”. The paper also said ASIC documents revealed Gunns had “recently taken out a $1.4 million line of credit with Westpac”. The latter has ruled out funding the mill, after Gunns’ main banker, the ANZ, pulled the plug last year on funding the mill.
But, having no secured funding has not stopped Gunns advising Trevallyn residents that despite “little impact at this early stage”, pipeline work will begin this month.
Gunns has previously said that all of the 20-plus landholders whose properties are in the path of the proposed pipeline needed to agree to land acquisition for the pipe easement. If not, then the pulp mill wouldn’t be built. However, the Examiner said Gunns would not provide an update on how many landholders it has come to agreement with over the pipeline.
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