Is Boxed (or Canned) Water Better?

While pushing your cart down the bottled water aisle of your favorite health food store you've likely noticed the growing number of boxes and cans on the shelves. Most of these boxed or canned brands promote the old science of alkaline water or spring/mineral water on the inside, while on the outside their alternative packaging is touted as being more 'Earth friendly'. But is that really the case? And what might you be ingesting if you drink from boxed or canned cartons? We answer these questions, and more, below.

Boxed Water, Is it Better?

While reviewing the Q&A portion of a popular boxed water brand the packaging is described as containing mostly plant based materials with just "26% Plant-based plastic, 5% Aluminum (for flavor barrier), 3% plastic film (flavor and safety barrier)." Although this may sound promising compared to bottled-in-plastic counterparts, the biggest issue with boxed water (known as Tetra Pak cartons) is that the boxes are not fully biodegradable because of the elements (paper, plastic and Aluminum) that make up the inside and outside of the box.

Another problem with boxed packaging is the lining of plastic on the inside which touches the water. Most waters go through some level of purification before the bottling process, however, microplastics are likely present before consumption since water is naturally a solvent and will eventually break down plastic lining. Mounting research shows that microplastics can contribute to cases of cancer, oxidative stress, inflammation, and a myriad of other health complications.

A Liquid Death for Humans and the Planet.

As more brands seek to diversify their brands with packaging there emerges another alternative to bottled water: the can. Coming in all shapes and sizes, many people gravitate to canned water with the belief that it is environmentally cleaner than plastic bottles while also being safer to drink from.

What consumers don't know is that cans are also lined with plastic (see video below), so not only are people drinking Aluminum particulates but also risk the potential of ingesting microplastics when they chug canned water. Though researchers are continually seeking the extent of health issues associated with Aluminum, per an article from Medical News Today: "Previous studies have linked frequent exposure to high levels of aluminum to neurotoxicity (adverse health effects on the central or peripheral nervous system or both), Alzheimer’s disease, and breast cancer."

Beyond the health implications, cans are not that great for the planet either. On GreenGroundSwell.com, they write: "Mining and refining bauxite and smelting aluminum is immensely energy intensive, uses large amounts of water, and generates air, water, and soil pollution." While cans may be easier to recycle compared to boxed water brands, only 54% of Americans elect to recycle their canned goods which leads to landfills ultimately being topped with boxed cartons, plastic bottles, and aluminum cans.

Keeping it 'Glass-y'

DIVINIA is a small brand on a BIG mission. At DIVINIA we choose to bottle only in glass because of its superior qualities and recyclability. Glass is infinitely recyclable and does not leach chemicals into the Earth's air or water supply if not recycled properly. Though producing glass can be energy intensive at the get-go, it is made up by efforts of recycling and re-using; in fact, recycled glass substitutes 70% of raw materials for glass manufacturing and over a ton of natural resources are saved for every ton of glass recycled. Plus, it is easy to clean and re-use at home over and over again.

DIVINIA is committed to always doing better for our planet which is why DIVINIA plans to establish smaller, regional plants around the country to reduce the carbon footprint in shipping and keep water resources local (so we aren't taking water from one place to ship to another).

DIVINIA is also dedicated to the health and wellness of our planet's inhabitants (people and animals), which is why glass bottles play an important role for our company. Glass is an inert material so harmful chemicals will never leach into DIVINIA at any point of the bottling process. DIVINIA utilizes stainless steel components following 15+ rigorous stages of filtration and molecular optimization, so microplastics (and hundreds of other pollutants, toxins, chemicals, etc) are not introduced into the final product. With purification technology and bottling procedures that far exceed industry and home-unit standards DIVINIA is unmatched in purity, quality and taste.

While there are hundreds of brands to choose from, the most important thing to consider before you take another swig from you favorite bottled (or boxed or canned) water is: what's on the inside is just as important as what is on the outside.