Wallaby Water has packaged and begun distribution of their first batches of natural spring water, not in bottles, but in Aluminium cans.

It may be surprising, given that they are easily recyclable, but only an estimated 16% of PET plastic bottles make it to recycling plants. The rest, approximately 370 million each year, ends up in our oceans or landfill, where it takes approximately 1000 years to break down and leeches toxic chemicals in the process.

Even if the plastic makes it to recycling, it can still only be recycled 2-3 times before it degrades and can no longer be used. This alarming information has prompted Dominic Goldsworthy, Founder of Wallaby Water, to develop a better alternative.

They’re replacing plastic bottled water with infinitely recyclable aluminium cans. Why Aluminium Cans? There are many advantages to aluminium as a packaging material. Firstly, aluminium has far greater recycling rates than other materials – almost five times that of plastic. This is largely due to its high scrap price – approximately $2,000 per tonne compared to $300 for plastic and a miserly $30 for glass.

Their inherent value means aluminium cans enjoy recycling rates of nearly 70% and actually often fund the recycling of less valuable materials like plastic. As mentioned earlier, aluminium can also be recycled infinitely; it doesn’t degrade or lose purity during the process. This makes a closed economy possible, where 100% of cans can become new bottles and cans.

Aluminium has the highest recycling rate, and is made from near 70% recycled material. There are other benefits such as less environmental impact during transport (due to aluminium packaging weighing notably less than the alternative) and even longer shelf life as it protects the contents from light as well as oxygen.

It’s also a better option for those concerned about toxins leeching into the water from plastic bottles. The water itself is naturally alkaline (pH 8.1) and mineral-rich thanks to the volcanic rock and soil the spring originates from.

No additives are introduced; it’s simply micron filtered and UV treated for disinfection. But what about reusable water bottles? It’s very true that refillable bottles are the best way to minimise waste from drinking water. However, single use isn’t going away anytime soon, so better alternatives need to be developed.

Wallaby Water agrees with these points, here’s what they have to say about it: “Our research tells us that consumer behaviour isn’t changing fast enough to combat the global plastics with a sustainable alternative is a step in the right direction. In an ideal world, everyone would use a refillable bottle – it’s our best defence against single-use plastics. If you chose to buy packaged water, please consider the environment.”

Wallaby Water is available NOW, head to www.wallabywater.com.au

To order online or find your local wholesaler.