If you work in an office, you have probably noticed the pile of empty plastic water bottles in the break room recycling bin. Maybe you have thought about it, maybe you have not. But some Connecticut businesses are starting to do the math, and the numbers are kind of eye-opening.

The Plastic Bottle Problem

Here is a rough estimate: if someone drinks 2-3 bottles of water at work each day (not unrealistic if your office provides them), that is around 500-700 bottles per person per year. For a 50-person office, you are looking at 25,000 to 35,000 plastic bottles annually.

Even if you recycle every single one, and most offices do not, recycling plastic still uses energy and resources. It is better than throwing them in the trash, but it is not a perfect solution.

Then there is the delivery aspect. Those bottles do not magically appear. Trucks bring them to your office weekly or bi-weekly, burning fuel in the process.

What Bottleless Systems Actually Do

Bottleless water coolers connect to your building's existing water line and filter it right there. No plastic bottles, no deliveries. You get filtered water on demand.

The environmental benefits are straightforward:

• No plastic bottles to recycle or throw away
• No delivery trucks making regular trips to your location
• Uses the water infrastructure that is already there

Is it perfect? No. The systems use electricity (though modern ones are fairly efficient), and you need to replace filters periodically. But compared to bottled water, the environmental footprint is considerably smaller.

The Business Case

Cost is usually what gets businesses interested. Bottleless systems often cost less over time than ongoing bottled water delivery, especially for offices with 30+ employees.

But there are other reasons companies make the switch:

Employee perception matters. Younger employees, who now make up a big chunk of the workforce, tend to care about sustainability. It is not the only thing they look for in an employer, but it is on the list. Having reusable water bottles and filtered water stations sends a signal about company values.

Business-to-business relationships are evolving. Some companies now include sustainability practices in vendor evaluations. If you are competing for contracts, demonstrating environmental responsibility can be a tiebreaker.

Marketing value exists. Being able to say "we eliminated X thousand plastic bottles from our office" is not going to sell your product by itself, but it is the kind of detail that resonates with certain customers and clients.

What About the Water Quality?

Fair question. Municipal water in Connecticut is generally safe and regulated. But taste and odor can vary by location and season, which is why people buy bottled water in the first place.

Modern filtration systems address this. They remove chlorine taste, sediment, and other common issues while maintaining the safety of the water supply. The water quality is typically comparable to bottled water, and sometimes better, depending on what you are comparing it to.

Making the Switch

If you are considering this, a few things to think about:

Building compatibility: Not all buildings are set up the same way. Older buildings might need some plumbing work. Ground floor offices usually have an easier time than high-rises.

Employee habits: You will need to encourage people to bring reusable bottles or provide them. The transition takes a few weeks.

Filter maintenance: Someone needs to track when filters need replacing. It is not complicated, but it needs to happen regularly.

Initial investment: There is usually an upfront cost for equipment and installation, though many providers offer rental or lease options.

Is It Worth It?

For most medium to large offices, the environmental and financial case is pretty solid. You are reducing waste, cutting costs (after the initial investment), and addressing something employees increasingly care about.

For very small offices (under 20 people), the math might be different. You are still creating less waste, but the cost savings take longer to materialize.

The biggest hurdle is usually just inertia. Switching water systems is not urgent, so it stays on the "we should look into that" list forever. But if sustainability or cost reduction is on your radar this year, it is one of the easier changes to make.

Getting Started

If you are interested, start by figuring out your current costs. What are you actually spending on bottled water annually? Include delivery fees and storage considerations.

Then get quotes from a few providers. Ask about:

• Installation requirements for your specific building
• Filter replacement schedules and costs
• What happens if something breaks
• Contract terms and flexibility

Most companies can give you a pretty clear return on investment timeline based on your office size and current water usage.

It is not the most exciting operational change you will make this year, but it is one where the benefits (environmental and financial) are fairly measurable. And unlike a lot of sustainability initiatives, this one usually pays for itself.

Contact Pure Point to learn more about bottleless water systems for your Connecticut office.