Recycling our products and using recycled materials is an essential part of how Thirsty Work operates. From eco-friendly recyclable packaging to our recyclable products, nothing goes to landfill, and that includes the main body of each of our water coolers. So what are our coolers made of and what happens to them once they reach the end of their working life?

An eco-friendly sector

Back in 2018, the government announced a new ‘plastic tax’. Coming into force in 2022, the tax will apply to any plastic packaging that’s produced or imported into the UK that doesn’t contain at least 30% recycled plastic.

According to the gov.uk website, “The tax will provide a clear economic incentive for businesses to use recycled material in the production of plastic packaging, which will create greater demand for this material and in turn stimulate increased levels of recycling and collection of plastic waste, diverting it away from landfill or incineration.”

Luckily for us, Thirsty Work is a leader in an already very green and eco-friendly sector. With our bottled water coolers using recyclable water bottles with water from our Shropshire spring, and our mains fed water coolers plumbed into existing mains water supplies, our products already have a low environmental impact. And the materials used in the coolers themselves meet these criteria too.

Are water coolers environmentally friendly?

We take the environmental aspect of our coolers just as seriously as our water bottles, recyclable cups, and operational logistics and deliveries. To continue our low-impact vision, each of our coolers is made from High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE). As a high-strength, durable and yet lightweight plastic polymer, it’s an ideal material for our high-use products. Generally considered to be one of the most environmentally stable plastics, it releases no harmful gases into the atmosphere.

And with a Resin Identification Code of ‘Type 2’, it means the unit is both recycled and recyclable. So when each unit reaches the end of its life – while HDPE plastic is hardwearing, daily use and wear and tear can eventually take its toll – we make sure it’s disposed of responsibly and ethically through our regular recycling partners.

As part of the recycling process, each unit is thoroughly cleaned to remove any build-up of dirt or debris so only the HDPE materials are combined and processed. Then, the units are ground down into small pieces and loaded into 1-ton reusable bags and sold onto different manufacturers to be recycled and transformed into other HDPE products. Commonly, these include plastic bottles and jugs, plastic lumber for decks, outdoor furniture, and kids’ playground equipment.

Leading the way to a greener future

As well as all our materials being recycled, even the process of recycling takes place right here in the UK. With UK industries and manufacturers all taking advantage of ‘home grown’ materials, it helps both them and Thirsty Work keep our collective carbon impact as low as possible. Plus, with the materials having full provenance, they have traceability throughout their lifetime.

All these processes, both internal and external, help Thirsty Work lead the way to a greener, more sustainable future – for us, for you, and our planet. To find out more about our green credentials, get your free quote, or to start your free 10-day trial, contact our customer service team on 01392 877 172 or email us at hello@thirstywork.com today.