Trying to make your office a little greener? Start with how your team stays hydrated. Seriously. It might seem like a tiny detail, but the way your office drinks water can actually make a big difference, both for the planet and for the people in your space.

So what’s the best option these days: bottled water, canned water, or a modern water dispenser?

Let’s break it down.

Option 1: Bottled Water

Good old bottled water. Still a classic in a lot of offices. It’s easy to grab, simple to stock, and feels familiar. But... when it comes to sustainability? Not so great.

Pros:

• Super easy to find

• Cheap to produce

• Light and portable

Cons:

• Made from plastic, usually PET

• Less than 30% gets recycled

• Most end up in landfills or oceans

• Single-use and rarely reused

• Can leach microplastics, especially if stored in heat

• Regular deliveries rack up emissions

• Can feel outdated for eco-conscious teams

• Takes up storage space

• Gets pricey over time when you add up the restocking and waste handling

So yeah, while technically recyclable, plastic bottles don’t have the best track record. Most don’t make it back into the system, and even when they do, they can’t be recycled forever.

Option 2: Canned Water

Cans have had a bit of a glow-up lately. They’ve become the “cooler” sustainable option, and for good reason. Aluminum is a material that can be recycled basically forever without losing quality.

Pros:

• Infinitely recyclable (yes, really)

• Higher recycling rates than plastic

• Cools quickly

• Feels more premium and eco-friendly

Cons:

• Takes a lot of energy to produce from scratch

• Still single-use unless recycled properly

• Not something people reuse

• Some brands greenwash—so not all are as sustainable as they seem

• Heavier than plastic, so shipping has a bigger footprint

• Usually just one format—no flavor or sparkle

• Constant can-cracking can be a bit noisy in a quiet office

Bottom line? Better than bottles, for sure—but you’re still relying on people to recycle perfectly every single time.

Option 3: Water Dispenser (The clear winner)

Now we’re talking. A bottleless water dispenser is easily the most sustainable option out there—and honestly, probably the most fun too.

Why it’s great:

• No single-use anything

• No deliveries needed

• Uses your existing tap water

• Encourages reusable bottles

• Cuts clutter and frees up storage

• Helps people drink more water without thinking about it

• Can include still, sparkling, filtered, and flavored options

• Some even show you your plastic savings in real time

And the best part? The experience is actually enjoyable. Take Aquablu REFILL+ for example. It connects straight to your water line and turns everyday tap water into something way better—think chilled, filtered, sparkling, or lightly flavored.

• Need Help Choosing? How to Choose the Best Water Dispenser for Your Office.

You’ve got options like mango guava, lemon, or peach. No sugar, no plastic, no hassle. Just great-tasting water that makes hydration feel like a treat, not a chore.

Fun fact: Offices that switch to flavored or sparkling dispensers see a real jump in hydration. When it tastes good, people drink more. Simple as that. And better hydration = sharper minds, better focus, fewer headaches.

Quick Comparison

Why Teams Love Aquablu REFILL+

Aquablu REFILL+ is basically the hydration hero for modern offices. It plugs into your tap and serves up still, sparkling, or naturally flavored water; all filtered, fresh, and totally plastic-free.

No deliveries. No clutter. No excuses for skipping water. Plus, your team can see their positive impact with the impact report showing how many bottles you’ve saved.

• Still Unsure? Do Water Coolers Actually Help Us Drink More Water at Work?

And let’s be honest, hydration stats in your all-hands? Kinda cool.

Ready to Future-Proof Your Office?

If your team is serious about sustainability and ready actually to enjoy drinking more water, a bottleless water dispenser is the way forward.

Today’s workforce wants smart, healthy, eco-conscious solutions. And they notice when you deliver them.

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