Sustainability Profile: Otter Bottle Stainless Steel Water Bottles

1. What is your company's brand promise, vision or statement of values, and how does it relate to sustainability?
Promoting a plastic-free world….for your health and your environment.
2. How are your products or services environmentally and socially sustainable?
Plastic will never break down. Stainless steel is reusable (reducing the amount of waste in landfills and waste from recycling plants) and ultimately over time it will decompose completely. All elements of steel come from the earth. Plastic does not.
3. How does your company give preference to suppliers who create positive social and environmental benefits either through their products and services or through their community partnerships?
I am happy to provide discounts to like-minded companies and very happy to promote awareness of different organizations through my website or literature.

Otter Bottles are made of stainless steel and #5PP lids and ABS lids. They are recyclable at the end of their useful life. If they are sent to landfills they will decompose in 150 years. They are silk screened to minimize environmental impact.

We source our bottles from China simply because this is where the bulk of the world’s steel comes from. I have done research to ensure the manufacturing facility uses ethical practices and I’m planning a trip in 2009 to see the manufacturing conditions for myself. Unfortunately, our bottles must travel a long distance to get to Canada, which is not that environmentally friendly. We counteract this with the purchase of carbon offsets to eliminate the carbon emissions created by shipping.
4. How does your business minimize the environmental impact of its operations?
• Waste reduction: Otter Bottle does not have any packaging when sold in stores. Bottles are shipped from China with the least amount of packaging without causing damage to the product as requested by Otter Bottle. Shipping from our warehouse in Vancouver is reused packaging upon the request of Otter Bottle.
• Recycling: Our product promotes reusing above recycling. Every product that can be recycled is recycled in the homes and offices of the Otter Bottle team.
• Energy efficiency: We believe in conserving energy and being as efficient as possible. Lights, computers go off when not in use. Our house has been visited by Enmax to determine how we can be more energy efficient. We are currently reviewing Bullfrog Power’s services.
• Water efficiency: We do not use bottled water, promoting saving our planet and its water.
• Paper products and administrative supplies: I don’t even have a fax machine attempting to promote online activity! Promotional materials will be printed using REAP’s recommended eco-printer on Forest Stewardship Council certified paper and will vegetable-based inks.
• Building supplies: n/a
• Hazardous materials and cleaning products: Our website will promote cleaning our bottles with only non-corrosive cleaning agents – basic enviro-friendly dishwashing soap. There are no toxic cleaners, cleaning products (including shampoos and soaps, deodorants, washing machine powders, etc) in our home. We use only environmentally friendly products such as Seventh Generation, Aveda, and Pink Solution.
• Transportation and staff commuting: I work out of my home and everything is done online.
5. How does your business demonstrate ethical business conduct?
We are a small, start-up business that operates with responsibility and integrity. We do not yet require third-party accountability measurements.
6. What strategic community partnerships does your company have in place?
We are a member of REAP Business Association, helping to educate Calgarians about ways to live more sustainably.
7. What policy or guidelines exist to support charitable contributions?
We give a percentage of our profits to The David Suzuki Foundation, working to protect the balance of nature and our quality of life. We are in discussions with World Wildlife Fund Canada. Otter Bottle seeks to contribute to charitable causes that protect and conserve our natural environment.
8. How many people do you employ locally?
1
9. In what ways does your business demonstrate its commitment to employee health and safety?
This is not yet applicable.
10. In what ways does your business demonstrate its commitment to employee development and job satisfaction?
This is not yet applicable.
11. How does your business support employees to lead balanced lives and be active participants in their communities?
My designer - who works with me part-time - and I are very focused on maintaining a high quality of life while building the business. We choose to live simply and with respect for our families, our communities and the planet.