Sustainable Choices: Comparing Bottled and Bottleless Water Coolers

Making the decision between bottled water coolers and mains-fed water coolers needs a little consideration, with so many pros and cons for each type.

Traditional bottled water coolers contribute to plastic waste and can be a hassle to maintain. On the other hand, bottleless coolers offer convenience and sustainability but involve installation and upfront costs. So, which is the best option for your wallet and the planet?

Millions of plastic water bottles end up in landfills every year, and the carbon footprint of producing, transporting, and disposing of them is staggering. Bottleless water coolers offer a greener alternative, but are they as cost-effective and practical as they seem?

The choice of water coolers isn’t just about hydration—it’s about sustainability, savings, and convenience.

In this guide, we compare the pros and cons of bottled and bottleless water coolers, examining their environmental impact, cost-effectiveness, and practicality.

Hopefully, by the end, you’ll have a clear picture of which option best suits your needs.

Bottled water coolers

How they work

Bottled water coolers work by placing a large, pre-filled water bottle—typically 5 gallons—onto the dispenser unit. The cooler then provides chilled or heated water as needed. They simply need to be plugged into an electrical outlet to work.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Easy setup: Simply plug in the unit and place the water bottle on top.
Portability: They do not need to be connected to a mains water feed and can easily be moved around as needed.

Cons

Recurring costs: Regular purchases of replacement water bottles can add up over time.
Storage needs: Storing bulky water bottles takes up a lot of space.
Environmental impact: The use of plastic bottles is contributing to environmental waste.

Bottleless water coolers

How they work

Mains-fed water coolers are connected directly to the building’s water supply. Each unit is fitted with an advanced filtration system that purifies the water on demand. Thus, these coolers provide a continuous supply of clean, filtered water without the need for bottled refills.

Pros and cons

Pros

Cost-effective: After paying the initial set-up fee, you can enjoy unlimited filtered water without ongoing bottle purchases.
Eco-friendly: Reduces plastic waste by eliminating the need for disposable bottles.
Low maintenance: Upkeep is minimal, with just a regular cleaning of the cooler needed.

Cons

Installation required: Professional installation is needed to connect the unit to the water line.
Fixed location: Once installed, relocating the cooler is a big job that would require professional help.

Environmental impact: Which is more sustainable?

Carbon footprint comparison

The production of plastic bottles requires many resources, including oil and water. For instance, manufacturing a single 500ml plastic bottle requires 1.4 gallons of water and enough oil to fill a quarter of the bottle.

Furthermore, transporting these bottles from their production facilities to stores releases about 62g of carbon dioxide per bottle. Together, the annual carbon footprint of bottled water is the same as that of 5 million cars.

In contrast, mains-fed water coolers eliminate the need for plastic bottle production and the associated transportation emissions, which significantly reduces their overall carbon footprint.

Plastic waste considerations

Bottled water systems contribute to plastic waste, as millions of bottles are discarded annually. Even though efforts are being made to recycle them, some of them are likely to end up in landfills, where they take hundreds of years to decompose.

Switching to bottleless water coolers can eliminate the need for plastic water bottles. According to data, one bottle-less water dispenser can save more than 30,000 bottles and cans in a year.

Energy consumption

The lifecycle of bottled water, from production to disposal, consumes a large amount of energy. This includes the energy used to make the bottles, bottle the water, transport it, and refrigerate it.

Mains-fed water coolers use far less energy. They filter and cool water on demand. Using local water sources reduces the need for transportation and storage, which also helps decrease the amount of energy needed.

Cost considerations

Bottled water cooler costs

Upfront cost: Bottled water coolers typically have a lower initial expense, with base units ranging from £100 to £300.
Ongoing costs: The recurring expenses, however, can add up quickly. Each 5-gallon water jug will cost you roughly £5; obviously, the more you drink, the more you’ll spend.

Mains-fed water cooler costs

Upfront cost: These systems will cost you more upfront because of the installation costs and the filtration system.
Ongoing costs: After it’s been set up, the primary expenses are filter replacements, which aren’t needed very often. The water comes straight from an existing supply so you won’t be paying anything more than your normal water bill.

Health and water quality

The quality of your water is an important factor in hydration. Are there differences in filtration and safety standards between bottled and bottleless water coolers?

Filtration differences

Bottleless water coolers: These work by connecting to your water supply and are fitted with advanced filtration technology. Many are designed to use reverse osmosis (RO) filters, which are incredibly effective at removing contaminants, including microplastics. RO filters can eliminate particles as small as 0.0001 microns.

Bottled water: Studies have detected microplastics in various bottled water brands, with the water either getting them during the processing of the bottles or from the containers themselves. What’s more, if your bottled water is exposed to heat or sunlight, microplastics will likely leach into the water.

Regulations and safety

In the UK, both bottled and bottleless water systems are subject to stringent regulations to ensure our safety.

Bottled water coolers: Local authorities use guidelines set by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) for the production and sale of bottled water. Manufacturers must meet standards related to their source, bottling practices, and labelling. However, with regular inspections and testing, we don’t have to worry.

Bottleless water coolers: The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) is the governing body for all public water supplies, ensuring that they meet rigorous safety standards. The DWI also examines the quality of our mains water supplies, while dispensers are managed by their service providers. To keep your mains-fed water cooler working and running optimally, follow the instructions for cleaning and filter replacement.

Convenience and practicality

Large businesses and offices are going to have different needs than a home or a small business; that’s pretty easy to surmise. But what does that mean in relation to water coolers? Which is best for your needs?

Best for offices and businesses

Bottled coolers are ideal for locations without a direct water line. They offer flexibility in placement, but storing the water bottles requires ample space.

Mains-fed coolers are best in environments with high usage. They give an unlimited water supply, without the need for deliveries of water bottles.

Best for homes and small spaces

Bottled coolers can be used in areas without plumbing access. They’re easy to set up and move.

Mains-fed coolers work great for households that are looking for a permanent, cost-effective solution. Once they’ve been installed, you have an unlimited filtered water supply.

Making the sustainable choice

Considering the environmental impact, cost, and convenience, bottleless water coolers certainly seem to be the more sustainable option. They reduce plastic waste, lower carbon footprint, and make financial sense.

If your business wants to become more environmentally friendly, switching to a mains-fed water cooler could significantly improve its efforts.