Crystal Springs

Crystal Springs Bottled Water cannot speak to the quality of Tap Water or any other bottled water for that matter. We encourage people to drink more water in, bottled or tap, as an alternative to other, less-healthy beverage choices. Did you know that less than 1% of tap water is used for human consumption? Concerns about the quality of tap water and recent reports of Pharmaceuticals and Hormones in public water supplies add to this debate and fuels increasing concern about water quality in general. Crystal Springs utilizes Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) methodology, including a Multi-barrier approach to producing quality products. Some of these include Carbon Filtration and Reverse-Osmosis and Ozonation. These water treatment methods are considered effective in removing these compounds. We continue to increase our knowledge, to improve our operations, monitor emerging issues, and stand committed to provide the highest quality products to our customers.

Groundwater Stewardship

Crystal Springs is committed to doing our part to protect the environment. Did you know that, based on a US Geological Survey study, the bottled water industry accounts for less than 4/100 of 1% of all groundwater withdrawals in the United States? This is far less than the water used for Agriculture, Thermoelectric Power, and for Public Water Supplies (among others). Crystal Springs, as part of the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) is dedicated to responsible stewardship of all natural resources. The association has been instrumental in encouraging States to develop comprehensive, science-based, groundwater management and sustainability practices and laws.

Packaging, Recycling and our Environmental Footprint

Crystal Springs is has always been and continues to be concerned about and dedicated to reducing our environmental footprint. Did you know that in 2005, bottled water bottles accounted for 1/3 of 1% of all waste produced in the United States? Our Home and Office delivery business can be considered one of the “original recyclers.” Our 3 and 5 gallon bottles are re-useable. They are used, on average, between 50 and 75 times before they are then taken out of the production stream and recycled. This has been going on at Crystal Springs for over 20 years! We also recycle most of the other plastics we use in the production of our products. In addition to plastics we recycle virtually all of our cardboard. We are constantly looking for additional ways to reduce our waste.

We also encourage our customers and partners to recycle as well. As of January 2008, as a condition of any product donation, Crystal Springs requires our partners to make arrangements for the recycling of all plastic bottles and any other recyclable material donated.

Crystal Springs is also in the process of investigating alternative fuels, including Bio-diesel, for our fleet of delivery vehicles. We hope that given the limited availability (currently) of Bio-diesel in our area that this can be accomplished sooner rather than later.

While we’re on the subject, let’s talk a little more globally about recycling, sustainability, and the environment. The bottled water industry has come under attack recently regarding water use and plastic bottles. As a company and an industry we are committed to doing our part. We are no worse and I believe actually better that most industries in our commitment to the environment. If we have the debate on recycling, then everyone and every industry MUST be included, industry and consumers alike. In my opinion, recycling in this country has been an abject failure (with the exception of some communities where they have “figured it out.”). It is about changing behaviors and until the consuming public – individuals and industry change their behavior regarding recycling nothing will change. Deposit laws are all over the board in terms of structure and with few exceptions have not succeeded in increasing recycle rates. It is patently unfair to single out one industry when having this discussion. If we’re talking about water use and sustainability, does it make sense to target an industry that accounts for less than 1% of all water withdrawals? Not to me. If we’re talking about plastic packaging why doesn’t the discussion include other industries that utilize plastic packaging? We are all in this together. At the very least, the debate needs to be on a level playing field and include EVERYONE!