Parkers Beverage pioneers aluminium canned water instead of plastic bottles in New Zealand

A Hawke’s Bay drinks company Parkers Beverage Company Ltd. reportedly becomes the first in New Zealand to scrap plastic water bottles and adopt recyclable cans instead to hold still water products.

Parkers Beverage Company manufactures and distributes brands such as Parkers water, Ō Pure Artesian Water, Deco City Beer, DeVine Wine, and 1835 Coffee.

According to Parkers managing director Doug Speedy, there are a few reasons why the company has made this move to implement a complex approach to canning still water. He feels a low-cost business can succeed in producing huge volumes, and Parkers was not comfortable producing huge amounts of single-use plastic bottles.

Plastic bottles in New Zealand go to landfill while aluminium cans can be recycled and repurposed. So, even from an environmental point of view, aluminium cans are better than plastic bottles.

Doug Speedy said Parkers had been into the process of making aluminium cans over a year and now proud of the final product.

Parkers marketing manager Claudia Weber is of opinion that this move is part of the company’s goal to bring environmentally-friendly beverages to the New Zealand market and the world.

With the eco-friendly bag in a box format, Parkers New Zealand Water had pioneered the environmentally-friendly water solutions movement for the office, workplace, and home much before, and became a well-trusted brand in New Zealand.

Taking this movement one step ahead, Parkers New Zealand Waters now strives on bringing in 100 per cent recyclable products. Instead of single-use plastic water bottles, its water products will be available in recyclable 330 ml aluminium cans.

"Cans are lightweight, easy to chill, easy to transport. Aluminium is one of the most recycled – and most recyclable – materials in the market today. As cans can be crushed they also take up less space in the recycling process, further greatly reducing the carbon footprint. No alternative comes close to cans," said Mr. Weber.

In this context, Hastings District Deputy Mayor Tania Kerr said the council was "delighted" with such a positive initiative to remove more plastic from the waste stream. It is innovative, future-focused businesses like Parkers that are making a difference to our environmental footprint. We commend them on their commitment.”