Environment

Vapur - the reusable, flexible water bottle

The Vapur rolls up like an tube of toothpaste when its empty
The Vapur rolls up like an tube of toothpaste when its empty

Personally, I’m not a fan of bottled water. Firstly, tap water in many parts of the world is safe, tastes fine, and it's free. Then there's the waste that bottle water causes – an enormous amount of energy is consumed in manufacture and most bottles end up in landfill. So when I see a product like the Vapur, I instantly warm to it. It’s a flexible, reusable water container that rolls up like a tube of toothpaste when its empty to fit in your pocket, purse or backpack – then in the dishwasher, not in the trash.

Vapur quotes statistics that put this waste in perspective - that energy consumed to make the yearly U.S. requirement of 50 billion bottles is equivalent to 17 million barrels of oil and only about 23 percent of bottles are recycled. It's estimated that around 200 billion bottles of water are sold globally, and the figures seem to be growing - although in one town in New South Wales, Australia, the residents and shopkeepers joined forces to ban the sale of bottled water because of the unnecessary waste it caused (and the fact that they had an adequate supply of good drinking water on tap).

Vapur is designed to fit in your pocket, purse, backpack or briefcase and holds 16oz (473ml). Unlike rigid water bottles retain their size, even when empty, Vapur can be rolled, folded or flattened and stowed away, meaning it goes more places and fits in tighter spaces than any other bottle.

Reusable, resealable, foldable, attachable, identifiable, freezable and even dishwasher safe – what more do you want if you’ve got a clean water supply? Oh, and there are different colors to choose from, too, and replaceable spouts and sports caps.

The cost - just less than US$9. A bargain if you are prepared to swap bottled water for the stuff that comes out of your tap.

Via Red Ferret.

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8 comments
Gadgeteer
Platypus has sold flexible water bottles in addition to their hydration bladders for years. In fact, their half-liter Platy Sport is available for $7. The only things missing are the carabiner and the fancy colors (only translucent is available), although their $9 one-liter Softbottle does come in colors.
alcalde
Where is tap water free?
johnschroder
alcalde: Where is tap water free? City parks with water fountains comes to mind immediately. (Although though yes the tax payers end up paying for it). And in many recreational venues like amusement parks that charge excessively for bottled water also have water fountains.
windykites
Tap water may be free in England (if you are on Benefits) Rain water is free everywhere, because they haven\'t yet found a way to tax it. Having said that, I think I heard that it is the property of the Water Board.
Jetwax
Tap water is \"free\" in New Zealand and other countries. We do pay an annual rate (town tax) that covers the water purchase, hence it\'s not totally free. However, it\'s certainly \"free\" when it comes to paying more than one would for a can/bottle of Coke or other fizz d;-)
Chris7527
the opening on the top is too small, it looks like eye-drop bottle.
Dr.A.Jagadeesh
Good innovation. With modifications to local conditions the cost can be brought down.
Dr.A.Jagadeesh Nellore(AP),India
ElizabethGarber
Most consumers prefer to buy those purified bottled water. Aside from cheap cost, they are sure that it is not contaminated. However, law makers in other part of United States banned the use of plastic bottled water. Last year, states of Massachusetts implement this law for a cleaner environment. A short term loan can help you pay for your bottled water and stock up now.