Take sips to health and sustainability

Concerns about health and environment are encouraging many to look back at the traditional materials like bamboo, copper and clay for water bottles

Thirty-four year-old Shreya Saha grew up watching her grandparents use copper vessels in Kolkata. She understood the benefits of eating and drinking from copper vessels at a very young age. The young mother is now replicating the lessons she acquired in her childhood. For the last 7-8 years, the Bangalore-based businesswoman has been using copper water bottles. “I understood very early on through my grandparents and reading that copper has antibacterial properties. It has immense health benefits. I saw it in my family and that’s how I started using copper bottles. So it comes from my childhood, yes,” says Shreya.
Shreya constitutes a growing tribe of people who are opting for alternatives that are healthier for the planet and its people. In recent years, there has been a notable surge in the adoption of alternative water bottles, specifically those made from copper, bamboo, and mitti (clay), driven by a heightened awareness of health and environmental concerns. Copper water bottles have gained popularity due to the perceived health benefits associated with drinking water stored in copper vessels. Bamboo water bottles are embraced for their eco-friendly nature. Mitti or clay water bottles are gaining traction due to their ability to cool water naturally and impart a distinct earthy flavour.

Going back to nature
Coherent Market Insights forecasted the use of eco-friendly water bottles like glass, stainless steel, bamboo, clay and others suggesting that in 2022 the Asia Pacific had a market share of 25%, the second-largest after the North America. The region’s fast urbanisation and growing middle class are responsible for the market’s expansion.
Saha points out that the easy accessibility and availability of such products have also contributed to their increased adoption. Search for clay, copper or copper water bottles online, and hundreds of results will appear with a gamut of brands including Clay Mango, Organic Gyaan, Swadeshi Blessings, Amala Earth, Isha Life and many more, offering high-quality water bottles. Not only are they stylish, but they are handcrafted and claim to be devoid of any chemical paint.
Wankaner-based Mansukhbhai Prajapati, who belongs to a potter’s family, was moved by the plight of people yearning for basic requirements such as clean drinking water in the aftermath of the 2001 Bhuj earthquake. So, he devised the clay refrigerator. Today, the brand sells every utensil possible, from clay tawas to clay bowls, glass sets and, of course, water bottles. At MittiCool, the water bottle is priced at Rs. 399.
Those who want to go premium are also spoilt for choices. A range of shades of aesthetic and sleek water bottles are available from Clay Mango. For Rs. 4299, one can purchase a set of four 800 ml handcrafted black terracotta clay bottles with wooden lids and corks.
Fifty-six year-old Shobhana Chelakkara lived in the US for four decades. She recently shifted back to India and, since then, has been making conscious changes to her lifestyle. “Over the years, I have phased out plastic from my life and found so many options to replace plastic. With summer approaching, I wanted a natural coolant and not refrigerated water. I came across a clay water jug and immediately ordered it. It’s reasonably priced and the water gets naturally chilled. It’s healthier and even tastes better,” says Chelakkara.

Traditional knowledge
In Indian culture, storing and consuming water from clay pots or suraahi or matka was the norm until a few decades ago. The refrigerators were not commonplace and people prioritised health over comfort. Our ancestors knew that the water in clay pots naturally cools through evaporative cooling, giving it a refreshing taste.
In addition to keeping it cool, clay’s porous nature acts as a crude filter, drawing out contaminants and giving it a more natural flavour.
Architect Sunetra Mahakul recently ordered copper bottles online as one of the steps towards resolving her hormonal issues. “I have been battling hormonal issues and I have read that copper is extremely beneficial for health so I am going to try it. With so much information available online, in the form of videos, blogs, news articles, one can become so aware and assimilate those learnings in life,” feels Sunetra.
While some people, like Sunetra, choose these bottles for health-related reasons, others choose them for other reasons like climate change.
Bamboo water bottles are embraced for their eco-friendly nature. As sustainability becomes a focal point, individuals are opting for bamboo bottles as a renewable and biodegradable alternative to conventional plastic. Bamboo is a fast-growing plant that requires minimal resources and has a lower environmental impact. In 2019, an ingenious Dhritiman Bora from Assam designed 100% leak-proof bamboo bottles. The idea was to provide people with an alternative to plastic and keep Mother Earth free of this non-biodegradable material.
He crafted durable bottles from a variety of bamboo called bhaluka (Bambusa bhaluka) and are completely organic. They have a glossy exterior that is finished with a waterproof oil polish. Remarkably, the cork is also made of bamboo.
Other brands in the market, like Amala Earth and Bombay Bae are also offering products made of this material. They have amalgamated bamboo with steel in some exquisite designs.

Doing your bit
On average, 430 million tonnes of plastic are produced worldwide each year, of which two thirds are only utilised temporarily, according to a UN website article. At least 14 million tons of plastic end up in the ocean every year.
A litre of bottled water included, on average, 240,000 microscopic bits of plastic, according to a study funded by the National Institutes of Health. Nanoplastics made up about 90% of these plastic fragments. A dire situation like this warrants a cutdown on plastic consumption.
The move towards these substitute materials is indicative of a rising awareness of environmental responsibility and health. With people placing a higher priority on sustainability and health, these unusual water bottles have come to represent an intentional and all-encompassing way of living.