Kerala is a state known to be full of natural beauty, and because of water availability and water bodies, it also has a rich flora and fauna. But recently, Kerala is also witnessing a problem of environmental issues related to plastic pollution. One of them has been the plastic bottle that packs drinking water given that there is a growing plastic waste problem in the state. Plastic bottles do not only cause the environmental degradations; they also pose risks to the health of the local communities and aquatic lives. Kevala Niru Water Packaging is the first of its kind to find an eco-friendly and sustainable alternative to the traditional water packaging in Kerala in view of this burning problem. Kevala Niru is the first company in India that packages its fine waters (Boxed Aqua (Natural Mountain Mineral Water), Alkind Wtr (Alkaline Water), and Kevala Niru (Artesian Water)) in GableTop Pak cartons, which provide a revolutionary change and reduce plastic and glass capsules, as well as show significant care of the environment. A feature of this innovative packaging is that it is able to not only satisfy the thirst but also make a significant contribution to a more healthy environment of Kerala and our world in general.
Plastic bottles have occupied a prominent position in bottled water industry because of their durability and convenience. But their environmental impact is progressively becoming an issue particularly in ecologically vulnerable areas such as Kerala. Plastic bottles are made of petroleum based products and take a lot of energy to manufacture giving out greenhouse gases that lead to climatic change. In addition, it takes hundreds of years before plastic is broken down and in most cases it is broken down into microplastics which end up polluting the soil, rivers, and the oceans. Due to the large number of rivers and other coastal regions, Kerala is particularly susceptible to plastic waste, which poses a threat to biodiversity and natural resources that several communities rely on. The realization of these health and environment-related hazards has increased the demands of environmentally friendly options that would help reduce the harms caused by plastic waste.
Such sustainable packaging options as the paper water bottles invented by Kevala Niru provide a viable alternative to the standard plastic bottle with many of its weaknesses corrected. Paper water bottles are mainly made of renewable and recycled paperboard, which is generated in a sustainably managed forest, meaning that it will take them many times shorter to decompose in the environment, resulting in a significantly smaller reduction of the ecosystem. This biodegradability implies that disposed paper bottles do not amount to a significant danger to the natural environments and water bodies of Kerala as opposed to what happens to plastic bottles. In addition, paper packaging materials, such as plastics, will help to contribute to a circular economy through recycling and minimize the use of virgin material promoting source sustainability.
The one more essential benefit of paper water bottles is that it uses fewer carbon footprints during its lifecycle. By and large the production, transportation, and disposal of paper packaging produces less greenhouse gases than plastic counterparts or glass packaging. Paperboard is also lighter and more compact than those made of paper, using less energy to transport and emit fewer emissions: this is particularly important in Kerala, with its topography and complicated supply chains. Also, forests that are harvested sustainably to generate the raw materials in paper packaging tend to sequester carbon, which is an added element of reducing emissions. The use of paper water bottles assists Kevala Niru in reducing climate change and also helps it comply with the overall objectives of Kerala, which are environmentally related.
The Gable Top Cartons that are used here by Kevala Niru are not only environment-friendly but also quite functional and protective to the water contained in them. Such cartons are formed of several layers which protect the water against oxygen, light and moisture to ensure that it remains fresh and unaltered without the use of any chemical preservatives as well as unnecessary refrigeration. This is highly crucial in the warm and humid climate of Kerala where the quality of water has to be maintained above all. Paper water bottles are an appealing option to the new consumer as well since the spouts that are easily opened and have resealable caps imply convenience to consumers, and do not jeopardize the sustainability of the packaging.
The argument of using paper water bottles is also supported on health grounds. These plastics, particularly, when heated or stored over a prolonged period of time, may release harmful chemicals like bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates which poses a serious question on their safety. Usage of paper packaging is associated with less toxic additives, which is safer and more natural to the clients. Such health benefit is in line with Kerala community health concerns, and that the drinking water provided by this business organization is not only safeguarded ecologically, but also in terms of safety levels.
Kerala has a rich culture and social background, which are based on environmental concern and social projects, which makes the embrace of sustainable packaging a fertile situation. The state government has also set strict mechanisms of limiting plastic such as the banning of single-use plastics and recycling and segregation campaigns. Certain tendencies are to gather the ethos of stewardship through local communities where locals are actively involved in environmental conservation programs. This sentiment is very close to what Kevala Niru is trying to do with its sustainable water packaging, as a consumer can find a convenient and visible opportunity to minimize their ecological footprint. By means of outreach and education, the company assists in creating more awareness and responsible consumption behavior that doubles its effect on the environment, not just the packaging.
Sustainable packaging is beneficial to the economy and business in a way that has certain differences. The increasing need of the global and regional market to environmentally sound products implies that companies which adopted the green package can make a difference and increase the customer loyalty. This aspect of leadership at Kevala Niru makes it a new age brand in the beverage industry of Kerala, which is very competitive. In addition, the paper cartons have less likelihood to break as compared to the glass bottles and are more space-saving compared to the bulk plastic bottles, thus the transportation and storage costs are lowered. These operational efficiencies highly contribute to the fact that sustainable packaging model is not only eco friendlier, but is also economically viable.
The current development in the packaging technology has resolved the above shortcomings of the paper water bottles that used to include resistance and durability of water. GableTop Pak cartons are designed with multiple barriers which preserve water and hold carton in one piece during handling and storage. These improvements guarantee the superior functionality of the paper packaging comparing to the usual materials and leave the consumers with assurance of the quality and sustainability of the product. The costs are predicted to reduce as the demand of sustainable packaging increases and the manufacturing systems are scaled hence promoting greater implementation.
