Dezeen Magazine

Evian Renew

Evian to launch collapsible "bubble" to combat plastic waste

Evian will trial a collapsible water dispenser made of recycled plastic, which is as "thin and light as a bubble" in a bid to reduce its plastic packaging.

Called Renew, the at-home appliance, which stores up to five litres of Evian mineral water, contracts when water is consumed, taking on a new shape after every use.

Part of wider environmental pledges

The thin skin of the dispenser's bubble-like top is made using 66 per cent less plastic than a standard 1.5 litre Evian bottle.

Unlike Evian's regular water bottles, this skin is made from 100 per cent recycled plastic. Last year the brand announced its intention that all its water bottles will be made solely from recycled plastic by 2025.

Renew forms part of Evian's plan to significantly reduce its use of plastic packaging.

"At Evian, we owe everything to nature and are committed to a healthy planet. This will only be achieved by new ways of thinking and of doing business," said Evian global brand vice-president Patricia Oliva.

"This is why we're challenging ourselves to reinvent new ways to provide Evian natural mineral water to consumers," she explained.

Backed by fashion designer Virgil Abloh

Along with its pledge to adopt a circular-economy model by 2025, Evian aims to become carbon neutral by 2020.

"This unique bubble design represents a breakthrough in design thinking which brings the purity of Evian natural mineral-water from the source to the home in a more circular way," she continued.

The machine, which is backed by fashion designer Virgil Abloh – acting as the creative advisor for sustainable innovative design for the water company – comes with an app that notifies users when it's time to order a refill. The app also tracks the amount of water they are drinking.

"I've always been inspired by great design and how it can shape our lives, which is why I'm excited to see Evian pushing the boundaries with the design of this disruptive new product that will transform the way we drink Evian at home," said Abloh.

Trials will begin next month

The Renew collapsable water dispenser will be trialled across Paris and London from May this year with 200 selected consumers.

"We are inviting consumers to join a community of early adopters who will be an extension of our innovation team, helping us to co-create this solution. Together we will fine-tune Evian Renew with a view to bringing a scalable and circular solution to the market," said Oliva.

An increasing number of designers are responding to the world's plastic problem by rethinking the ways we consume water.

New York designers Agency-Agency and Chris Woebken have created a series of bright blue plumbing fixtures that could turn the city's fire hydrants into public drinking fountains.

Last year, Canowater revealed the latest addition to its range of environmentally friendly water cans – a special-edition container created by fashion designer Christopher Raeburn for London Zoo.