New Yorkers, Come Drink the ‘Anti-Bottled Water’ Bottled Water
Before you start groaning at the news that New York City has a new bottled water company, take note that Tap’dNY isn’t that kind of bottled water company.
The company is not only open about the fact that it’s selling purified New York City tap water, it makes that its primary selling point.
“Our goal is to remind New Yorkers to think local, drink their own water, support our community, and do their part for the planet,” reads the company’s online “manifesto.” Tap’dNY’s blog adds, “Seems a shame to drive a bottle of water halfway around the globe, what with the climate and oil situations being what they are.”
The company promotes its local water with some clever marketing slogans and strategies. One pitch states, “No glaciers were harmed making this water,” while a team of Tap’dNY “Hydrators” dressed in “Ghostbusters”-style garb make appearances to offer people free refills of New York City tap water.
The only difference between straight-from-the-tap tap water and Tap’dNY’s stuff is the filtering process that removes chlorine, fluoride and “other impurities.” Beyond that, though, Tap’dNY encourages customers who buy its water to take advantage of free refills at any tap in town. It also delivers by the case to homes or offices, and will soon be offering refillable SIGG bottles with the Tap’dNY logo as well.
Hey, it’s a great idea to encourage people to buy locally and drink tap water. And if Tap’dNY succeeds in encouraging more New Yorkers to reuse and refill bottles from the tap, and to recycle bottles that can’t be reused anymore, it’ll certainly benefit the environment. But doesn’t it still seem a little weird that we even need to “market” water at all? I guess it goes to show how much we’ve all been indoctrinated in the consumer culture … that even when we know we shouldn’t consume (as in bottled water), we have to consume something (as in refillable botttles of tap water) to reduce our consumption.
Anyway, you can learn more about Tap’dNY here.
