One million plastic water bottles are bought around the world every minute. Each bottle takes 450 to 1,000 years to break down. At this rate, we are globally outpacing recycling efforts and putting our environment in harm’s way. Furthermore, bottled water requires 2,000 times more energy to produce than tap water. Precious resources, like electricity and oil, are used to create bottled water at the expense of all members of society. (1)
What’s the answer to the troubles created by bottled water? Simply put, reusable water bottles could transform the waste created by humankind and substantially improve our environment. Every time you opt to fill up a reusable water bottle, a plastic bottle is spared and waste is avoided. From designer tumblers to promotional bottles, there are many different types of reusable water bottles available to us in America for both purchase and for free. Selecting one really just comes down to your style preferences, budget, and ability to incorporate the bottle into everyday life.
Since 2018, an Assam craftsman and business owner has been turning heads with his truly unique take on the reusable water bottle. Local Dhritiman Borah has developed the first-ever water bottle made completely of bamboo. Priced at 400 to 600 Rs or $5.50 to $8.30 USD, the bottle is extremely affordable. His journey to bring this eco-friendly bottle to market has not been straightforward, but he and his company are striving to conquer challenges and fill a need. (2)
Innovation In Bamboo
Originally, Borah’s bamboos business, M/s DB Industries, made home goods, furniture, kitchenware, and traditional Assam jewelry. Stretching the confines of his imagination, Borah kept growing the product line of the business and has been met with reasonable success over the last eighteen years. (3) Over time, his business has become family-oriented too. Currently, Borah’s younger brother and father work alongside him at M/s DB Industries. (2)
Competing with the many bamboo-made products in China was the true spark behind Borah’s reusable water bottle. (2) Though a bamboo water bottle has already been patented in China, Borah set his product, and himself, apart by making the water bottle 100% from bamboo. There is no metal cap or glass inserts, as seen with the water bottles made in China. Borah feels his design is more alluring to customers, as the bottle is now entirely organic. Additionally, his company is now producing mugs, water glasses, and wine glasses entirely from bamboo. (4)
Creating Interest
The idea of bamboo water bottles may seem like an instant bestseller, but when Borah revealed his product at an international trade show in Delhi there was no initial interest. (3) In time he learned how to finish the product and provide several design options to suit the tastes of buyers. Today, M/s DB Industries produces glossy and raw finishes of the bottle in small and large sizes. The bottle can last up to 18 months, regardless of finish. (3, 4)
Production Challenges
In a process created by Borah himself, each water bottle is hand made over five to six hours. The bamboo is purified and strengthened through a process of boiling, drying, and smoking. Though this process makes a quality product, Borah describes how faster manufacturing will play a role in bringing more water bottles to market in the future.
He tells The Hindu, “…the challenge lies in getting machinery or tools from Guwahati, the nearest commercial center, and dispatching the finished products.” Borah’s brother Gaurav adds, “We are currently producing about 1,500 bamboo bottles a month, way below the demand. If we had a lathe machine, a larger dryer, and other tools, we could produce about 8,000 a month. But that is quite a lot of investment.” (4)
Coming Soon To E-Commerce
M/s DB Industries has tried several platforms to sell their bamboo water bottles, but as of now do not have a designated outlet. (2-4) Borah’s brother Gaurav is hard at work on the digital marketing side of the business, and we can expect a permanent site to buy these wonderful water bottles soon. In the meantime, water bottles are being shipped directly to retailers in the United Kingdom and Australia. (3, 4) Keep an eye out, you may be lucky enough to spot one of these water bottles in a store near you!
