Comments on: Ecowell: An Eco-Friendly Alternative to Vending Machines

By: Selwa

Selwa — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 15:19:53 +0000

Hi Rick – thanks for contributing to the discussion. I hear what you’re saying about the level of filtration regarding the two different solutions to bottled water, and no, the Filtrete Water Station does not have a 7-tier process like Pura Vida’s machines, but anyone can get something pretty close, if not just as good, with a reverse osmosis filter at home, and fill their reusable bottles before they leave the house, as easily as they could fill it at one of these machines. While I do think this is a much better solution if someone has no access to filtered water on-the-go, than plastic bottled water, I’m still not convinced that it’s worth paying 50 cents for a 16-oz glass of water, or 75 cents for a 24-oz glass. If you’re that thirsty and there’s nothing else, then okay, but I’d encourage people to filter their own water at home FIRST and use a water vending machine as an alternate solution if it becomes absolutely necessary. I’m not knocking the concept – it is a great idea – we thought so when we did the EcoWell post as well – especially for college students. But I’d be interested to see just how much of a profit these vending machine manufacturers are making by selling filtered water at 50 cents a pop… There are people in developing countries who can’t even get access to clean tap water, and yet we feel the need to put our already cleansed water through a seven-step filtration process to make it taste better, and then profit from it. If everyone went for the at-home solution (granted, it’s not a 7-step filtration process) and donated the 50 cents they would have spent at a vending machine to the cause of clean water, collectively, we could really make a difference where it counts. Just my opinion, though.

By: Rick MacNeal

Rick MacNeal — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 14:05:23 +0000

The filtration processes used by Pura Vida’s machines and the “at home” 4 bottle filler are not the same, so comparing them from a cost perspective is an inaccurate comparison. Pura Vida’s machines are also out in public or retail areas making them convenient “refilling” stations. Logic dictates your “at home” solution necessitates lugging around multiple water bottles which has been one of the limiting factors to more people using reusable water bottles.

By: The “ATM Machine of Bottled Water” – Without the Bottle | The Filtered Files

Mon, 11 Apr 2011 15:36:25 +0000

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By: Wine-on-Tap | The Filtered Files

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