Photos courtesy of RightWater

When it comes to water, the world has an abundance problem and a scarcity problem.

The UN estimates that around 600 billion bottles and containers were produced worldwide in 2021, and Americans alone purchased approximately sixteen billion gallons’ worth of bottled water in 2022. The vast majority of these bottles end up in landfills, which wouldn’t be as much of an issue if they were made of glass—but plastic is the material of choice. Remarkably, it’s estimated that this material takes 450 to 1,000 years to biodegrade.

On the scarcity end of the water spectrum, bottles aren’t the most urgent problem. That’s because approximately one-quarter of the earth’s population—two billion people—doesn’t have access to clean drinking water. It’s the classic case, as the saying goes, of too much of something being as bad as too little.

One company that’s doing its part to help reverse these respective realities is RightWater. Founded in 2019 by philanthropic entrepreneur Simon Konecki, it sells a sustainable alternative: natural spring water in aluminum cans. But it’s also selling a vision.

A history of helping

RightWater is actually Konecki’s third venture into the water space. In 2005, he cofounded both the UK version of the company, Life Water, and the nonprofit Drop4Drop, which provides clean-water solutions like wells, hygiene education, and work opportunities in India and Africa. With every purchase of RightWater or Life Water, individuals and corporations help not only themselves and the environment but also others in need since all profits go directly to Drop4Drop. To date, two million people have gotten access to clean drinking water through these projects—hence why RightWater considers itself a “social enterprise” rather than a typical corporation.

Eco-conscious efforts

The organization’s corporate mindset is summarized by its tagline: There’s no planet B. To that end, RightWater is committed to being 100 percent plastic-free. Its BPA-free aluminum cans are totally recyclable, of course; in fact, they can be transformed into new ones within sixty days. But RightWater also takes several extra steps to put its money where its mouth is, ensuring that everything used in its shipping process, from its packaging to its pallet wrap, contains no plastic.

Total transparency

Unsurprisingly, RightWater is as transparent as the water it sells. The organization even states that it values its plastic-free mission and message above profits; its goal for itself and others is simply to #dotherightthing by the environment and help as many people as possible.

This also applies to the water itself, which RightWater sources from three protected natural springs in its home state of California—an effort that not only reduces wasteful shipping but also allows for sourcing flexibility if one of the respective communities needs access to the streams in an emergency. Furthermore, RightWater details its strict standards for filtration, contaminants, and other FDA requirements in the Bottled Water Report on its website so the public knows exactly what it’s getting in every can.

Change doesn’t often happen overnight, especially with something as ingrained as Americans’ overreliance on plastic bottles. But it can happen—and it needs to. Thanks to companies like RightWater, eco-friendly options are readily available that make it easier to better the health of both people and the planet.

For more info, visit drinkrightwater.com