BUNDANOON, FIRST AUSTRALIAN TOWN TO BE BOTTLED WATER FREE

Bundanoon, in the Southern Highlands region of New South Wales, become Australia’s (if not the world’s) first bottled free town working with local businesses, installing new Culligan Water filtered bubblers, filtered water refill stations in retail stores and making refillable bottles available.

Bundanoon on Tap

According to the independent study* commissioned by The Bottled Water Alliance, an overwhelming 97% of Australians believe bottled water is overpriced and 60% say they plan to buy less bottled water during the current economic turmoil.

Skepticism around why bottled water costs more than petrol is starting to sink in with many consumers, with 73% saying buying bottled water is naïve. Only 23% of Australians think bottled water is cleaner and safer than filtered water from the tap.

The study reveals growing environmental concerns combined with a collapsing economy are causing an increasing number of Aussie consumers to reconsider spending $3.00 on something they can get for a few cents at the sink.

With a days worth of bottled water for a family of four, the recommended 1.82 litres, costing over a $15,000 a year, slurping from the sink appears to be back in fashion with 50% who say they refill from the sink at least half the time.

When we see someone holding a bottle of branded water these days, we assume they are trying making a statement – or, we realize they are too lazy to reuse, refill and recycle with regard for the environment.

Sales of bottled water in the US and UK have evaporated by as much as 10% in the last year, the first time in decades bottled water sales haven’t grown.

More stats show Aussies are moving away from the bottle: 43% say they have a water filter at their home or workplace; 26% say they are strongly considering buying one in the next 3 months; and 22% said they try to always refill a reusable bottle.

Tim Gordon, general manager of Culligan Water, which will supply water refill stations for Bundanoon and is a founding member of The Bottled Water Alliance, says, “Combining a water filter on your tap with a refillable and reusable bottle gives you pure great tasting water you can take anywhere for around three cents per litre.”

Call 1300 669 119

BUNDANOON, FIRST AUSTRALIAN TOWN TO BE BOTTLED WATER FREE