As August looms, the thoughts of many turn to holidays from which we at NDA Packaging are not immune. Indeed Margaret is soon to embark on a well-earned cycling tour along the Danube with her family.
For those of us left behind to run ships, (or even build new houses like Mario), the relative silence of phones offers time to reflect on another busy period and the fascinating range of markets and purposes to which our water bottles are subjected.
Indeed, it’s fair to say that of all packaging and promotional products, few match the all-round versatility and usefulness of a well-made water bottle.
Foremost of course is their function as a hydration tool, a simple reusable drinking bottle. Nothing symbolises today’s awareness of the need for healthy hydration than an accompanying ‘sports’ bottle. Called such because of their original associated with cyclists and sports clubs, most homes now have bottles used daily by family members.
If the children have them, chances are they will have been provided or sourced at school. Most schools have a ‘duty of care’ philosophy to ensure pupil hydration, conscious of its importance to wellbeing, concentration and even performance. For many the added appeal of a water bottle is their resale value. Bottles customised with school logos are a successful revenue generator at school fairs and parent events.
It’s not just schools that recognise the resale value of water bottles. We recently supplied bottles to our local police force engaged on a fund raising expedition for injured and bereaved police families. Attractively designed, the bottles generated helpful funds and served as a welcome accompaniment to the participants. This year we’ve once again supplied customised bottles for our emergency services and armed forces, for use at home and abroad.
Our bottles use at events too, remains popular; Eisteffods, fun runs, agricultural shows, youth games, the list grows annually where water bottles are now an expected accompaniment for the sponsor pack or offering.
One other growth area we’ve noted are businesses. Staff increasingly now meet at water coolers with water bottles. Reduction of waste is a growing theme in convincing many companies that a branded reusable water bottle is a greener symbol than disposable paper cups. And saves money.
Finally we’ve seen our bottles delivered in growing numbers to HydraChill water refilling stations now servicing a plethora of outlets, from universities, museums and latterly public transport settings, including TfL Tower and Westminster piers. Revenue from the bottles sold at the machines helps fund free drinking water provision. An Evening Standard article announcing the London piers commissioning was its most liked and shared of the month. Increasingly the public gets this and now have bottles to match.
So whilst we remain open for business throughout, for those of you like Margaret busy shopping for last minute items have a happy August holiday. And don’t forget to pack your bottle.
