By: Amanda Froelich,
With the implementation of cellular technologies and the internet, communication has accelerated exponentially, and with it, the awareness of relevant issues that deserve attention by all. Even though individual action to offset environmental damage still lacks to a large degree, companies and organizations seeking to spread such awareness have made incredible strides in the last few decades.
Hybrid cars, sustainable energies, and recycling have all become mainstream, and this has created an entirely new market for companies and entrepreneurs seeking to make a difference.
One such company that has jumped on this opportunity is +Space, Inc., an environmentally sustainable business behind the world’s first hybrid water bottle.
Treeson Spring Water, founded by Carlton Solle, has recently launched its new Leaf water bottle Kickstarter campaign to prove to the world how business can be made sustainable, and allow the consumer to take part in greener action. The innovative water bottle has been designed like no other, and is expected to completely change the way future businesses create their product models.
The Leaf bottle is 100% sustainable, GMO-free, plant-based, compostable, biodegradable, recyclable, and made using some of the 40 million plastic water bottles which end up in landfills each year. A new type of technology allows old bottles to be turned into gas, and that byproduct is used to fuel the generators that blow new bottle molds from raw materials. Mr. Solle knew that for the high-tech option to be as eco-friendly as possible, it had to offer more than any other bottle.
That’s why for every bottle purchased, a tree is planted. An app has also been designed to allow every consumer to track the planting of their tree, and feel incredible at their direct contribution to a greener Earth.
And furthermore, every bottle is created with an already postmarked label to allow the ease of mailing back to the source, where it can cleanly be recycled back into sustainable energy again. The large amount of trash Americans produce is not only offset by this product, but prevented from taking place in the future. Even though the return process may be viewed as unsustainable, Solle voices why it is an eco-friendly solution
“When you hear the concept you probably immediately get the vision of bottles being flown across the Country. Not the case. We have to start with one facility but as demand grows we will have regional facilities located where we will also be regionally sourcing our spring water.” The company’s vision is to eventually handle the bottles at different sources around the country, to create clean power, and to make more bottles.
At the present, there are only three sources that match the base spring water profile across the U.S., but the goal is to have at least 5. “We are working on several neat pieces of equipment like this POS mailbox (above), that will go in stores for bulk collection and possible on-site processing.” It’s a big start for an even grander vision.
Where was such an innovative concept conceived? In the lush jungles of Costa Rica, where four years ago, Carlton Solle witnessed first-hand the majesty all of nature offers. He also became aware of the many reasons it needs to be protected. Since then, he’s partnered with a team of brilliant engineers to design the ‘perfect’ product that is meant to decrease the amount of trash floating in the oceans, piled into landfills, or left to biodegrade in the wilderness.
The product idea is ingenious, but how can a water bottle make that big of a difference? Because accepted or not, today’s world is fueled by consumerism. By allowing an easy option for every individual to take part in global change, progress can be more easily accelerated.
This beautifully shaped water bottle (which compresses into a leaf shape after its use), is an example for other sustainable businesses. By creating products that have little to no environmental impact, the market will dramatically shift, and in effect, a greener world will be made reality.
Sources:
