Earth Day – Planet vs. Plastics

Earth Day – Planet vs. Plastics

At AquAid we are keenly aware of the impact using plastic has in our industry, to our customers and on our environment. This Earth Day we felt it important to reiterate our ongoing commitment in seeking solutions and alternatives to reduce waste, minimise our carbon footprint and increase the sustainable provision of our water and water products to our customers.

Potential long-term options?

  1. Paper cups/cones

Paper cups may seem like an obvious alternative, but they are not. As paper is porous, all cups contain a lining which means that they cannot easily be recycled.  Unfortunately, although few people may be aware of this, if you are paying to recycle paper cups, these lined cups actually contaminate the recycling batch they go into.

There are cones available without a plastic lining, but they will only hold water for a matter of seconds before it will start seeping through and leak onto surfaces or on the floor. Whilst these are useful from an environmental perspective, they are less useful from a hydration perspective; the reason organisations have a water dispenser in the first place.

Paper cups cost around 50% more than plastic, with cones priced slightly lower.

  1. Plastic bottles

There is a place for reusable plastic bottles, however, we need to be aware that a plastic bottle weighs at least 30 times more than does a plastic cup. This then means that using plastic bottles is adding plastic weight and volume rather than reducing it. Even if you re-use a plastic bottle (which some people will re-use 30 times, but others much less so) it has to be borne in mind that the bottle needs to be cleaned which has its own environmental impact.

  1. Use bio-degradable/compostable material

The idea of using bio-degradable plastic is very appealing at first as people picture it literally turning into dust.  The problem is that in order for the plastic to compost, it needs to be kept in very specific circumstances only achievable in an industrial composting environment. Not only are there very few such facilities in the UK, there are also no nationwide collection schemes in place for them.  If bio-degradable cups end up in landfill they can be more harmful to the environment than normal plastic cups, as is indicated in various reports and case studies from authorities in the field*.  Added to this, bio-degradable plastic is made from corn starch – which again brings with it a significant impact on the environment. As a final point, bio-degradable plastic is considerably more expensive than regular plastic.

The solution

Because of the focus directed at the issue of single use cups, we may be forgetting the difference between litter and recycling. Plastic on its own is not an issue – unrecycled plastic is. Bearing this in mind, we believe there is a viable solution, one which will be of benefit to not only ourselves and our customers, but also to our environment.

Recycling plastic cups

Upon consultation with a number of recycling authorities, in particular BIFFA, a leading integrated waste management company, we’ve established as follows:

  • The cups that AquAid supply are made of a single type of plastic. The benefit of this is that easy to recycle and a valuable resource that can be repurposed and resold.
  • Our plastic cups are easily recycled if placed in a dry mixed recycling (DMR) bin. These are bins which take cans, paper, cardboard and plastic. Not only will the material placed in a DMR be recycled, but DMR bins cheaper to have emptied than a normal waste bin.

We believe that we have established a practical, cost effective and viable solution to using our drinking cups and are inviting our customers to contact their local recycling companies to confirm that they offer the dry mixed recycling bins (DMR), to assist with the recycling of not only plastic cups, but also the many other recyclable items found in offices up and down the country.

* sources: articles in The Guardian; UN News

Water Cooler Trivia – Version Two Zero Two Four

Water Cooler Trivia – Version Two Zero Two Four

We’ve given quite a bit of attention to British trivia over the years for good reason. Trivia is interesting, fun, it keeps your brain active and just as important, it provides you with a wealth of interesting knowledge you can impart to your colleagues, workmates, clients and customers whenever you head off to replenish your drinking water at your water cooler station.

In the spirit of keeping with this tradition, here are a few updated trivia titbits for your entertainment.

Architecture

In 2021, the Smallest House in Britain, located in Conwy, North Wales, also known as Quay House, received a new addition to its living space for the first time in 400 years – a sofa. We don’t like to boast, but we’re sure we could fit one of our tabletop water coolers or Instant Taps in the House.

Geography

Mind the gap. The distance between Britain and America is widening by one and a half inches a year as upwelling in the Mid-Atlantic Ridge pushes tectonic plates apart.

 

Science & Nature

A blue whale can hold up to 5,000kgs of water in its mouth.  As much as select of our range of water coolers have the capability to constantly supply refreshing drinking water to large organisations, we regret we’re not able to provide blue whale water coolers. Also … saltwater.

I think it’s safe to assume that here at AquAid, we like trivia. It may be as we understand the connection between cognitive function and how drinking water keeps one in tiptop trivia retaining knowledge mode – aside from being able to perform better throughout the working day of course – almost as important!

Sources: House Beautiful Mail Online Blue Whale

Why Water Coolers are Vital to Work Well-Being

Why Water Coolers are Vital to Work Well-Being

Today it is increasingly common to find one if not more water cooler stations in the workplace. Aside from the more obvious – making sure everyone has access to drinking water – there are several positives that not only benefit everyone but the organisation as a whole.

Why? Because keeping employees hydrated creates a set of positive outcomes, all of benefit to the entire workplace.

Crucial for physical well-being. *Dehydration can lead to an array of physical discomforts, including fatigue, muscle cramps and headaches. In particularly demanding work environments, such as construction sites or manufacturing facilities, the risk of heat-related illnesses significantly rises when employees are not adequately hydrated.

Promoting hydration at work is not just about comfort but also about ensuring the safety and well-being of your employees. By providing access to clean drinking water and encouraging regular hydration breaks, employers can reduce the risk of on-the-job accidents and promote a healthier work environment.

Increased productivity and cognitive function. Two primary negatives of dehydration are reduced cognitive ability which leads to reduced productivity. Providing your workforce easy access to a water replenishment station is the simplest and most direct route to ensuring good hydration habits.

Morale and mood boosting. Irritability, mood swings and increased stress levels are often indicators of dehydration.  This can result in decreased job satisfaction and an inharmonious work environment, all which can severely affect productivity and well-being. By encouraging hydration, employers can contribute towards the improved moral and mood boosting of every individual at the workplace.

It therefore makes sense to make use of a well-established organisation with decades of experience in the supply and installation of high-quality water coolers. Be that mainsfed, bottled water coolers, hot water boilers and bottled water deliveries, AquAid are proud to be of service to more than 34,000 customers across the U.K.

*source – from an article at Corporate Wellness Magazine

World Water Day – What Can We Do?

World Water Day – What Can We Do?

The theme for World Water Day, 22 March 2024, is ‘Water for Peace’, which focuses on the critical role water plays in the stability and prosperity of the world.

According to UN-Water, ‘when water is scarce or polluted, or when people have unequal or no access, tensions can rise between communities and countries. 

More than three billion people worldwide depend on water that crosses national borders. Yet, out of 153 countries that share rivers, lakes and aquifers with their neighbours, only 24 countries report having cooperation agreements for all their shared water. 

By working together to balance everyone’s human rights and needs, water can be a stabilising force and a catalyst for sustainable development.’

The good news is that even if you are not directly involved in this year’s World Water Day, as an AquAid customer, you are helping with the continued implementation of sustainable water projects which help provide potable water, water to grow crops and water for productive use for thousands of communities in water poor regions across Africa. These safe water resources, often built in areas accessed by multiple communities, can help to minimise conflict which may arise from insufficient and unsafe water sources.

With each mains water cooler installation and every bottle of water purchased, we donate a portion of that revenue to the charities we have supported for over twenty-five years: Christian Aid, since 1998 and The Africa Trust – an AquAid founded charity – since 2010.

If you are not yet an AquAid customer but appreciate how we work, we will be more than happy to help introduce you to our range of water dispensers, bottled water coolers, hot water boilers and Instant Taps offering hot, cool or chilled water.

Ways with Water – Water, Sleep & Well-Being

Ways with Water – Water, Sleep & Well-Being

It’s World Sleep Day this week. The day is dedicated to bringing attention to the vital role adequate sleep plays in maintaining health and well-being. With millions of Britons suffering from a similar ailment – an inability to get enough sleep – we look at how good hydration can assist in creating better sleep.

Does drinking enough water aid our ability to sleep better?

The short answer is, yes it does.

How so?

During deep sleep, your body works to repair muscle, organs and other cells. Chemicals that strengthen your immune system start to circulate in your blood. If you are properly hydrated, your body is better fuelled, more easily able to effect these vital repairs.

How soon before bed should you drink water?

The rule of thumb is not to drink lots of water (or any liquids) at least two hours before bed. Ideally the bulk of your water consumption should be during the day or well ahead of bedtime.

Although dehydration can occur during sleep, this is easily repairable by drinking water upon waking.

What is the drinking water after bedtime conundrum?

Drinking a small amount of water before bed can keep you hydrated overnight, but too much and you’ll disrupt your sleep cycle with trips to the bathroom.

Having access to a constant supply to refreshing drinking water throughout the day is essential to ensure you can easily maintain sufficient hydration. Which is yet another reason to make sure you visit your water cooler regularly during the day, keeping yourself properly hydrated and well prepped for a good night’s rest.

Counteract Cold Weather Dehydration

Counteract Cold Weather Dehydration

While the current cold weather seems wont to extend its icy hold over the UK our instinct may be to hydrate less, this is a mistake.

When it’s cold, we may tend to think that we dehydrate less easily than we do when it’s warm, but this is often not the case. *What occurs is the body’s thirst response diminishes, by as much as forty percent, even when we’re already dehydrated. This happens due to the body’s blood vessels constricting when cold in order to prevent blood from flowing freely to the extremities. This enables the body to conserve heat by drawing more blood to its core.  Because of this, the body is fooled into thinking it has properly hydrated, e.g. you don’t feel as thirsty and your body doesn’t conserve water. What may also occur is as you are less inclined to drink more water voluntarily; your kidneys don’t receive the signal to conserve water and urine production increases, again potentially leading to dehydration.

This increased urine production and reduced thirst response are only two of the contributing factors.  Some others include:

  • When wearing multiple, heavy layers of clothing, our bodies have to work between ten and forty percent harder. As such, we sweat more and lose more fluid.
  • We also experience increased respiratory loss. This is when you lose water vapour through your breath, which means there is an increase of fluid leaving your body.
  • The fact that sweat evaporates more quickly in cooler temperatures means your body is, once again, fooled into thinking you need less fluid.

The simplest method to counteract cold weather dehydration is to keep an eye on how often you drink water, much like you would during warmer weather.

If you usually make regular trips to replenish your water container from the work water cooler, carry on doing so. Should you work from a home office or remote location, set a repeat alarm on any tech gadget you use.

If chilled water is too much to consider drinking, drink ambient (indoor) temperature water.

If you can only consider drinking piping hot water from your hot water boiler, that’s fine, however, try to balance out each hot drink with a drink of cool water and keep yourself well hydrated, whatever the weather.

*source: First Aid For Life