America’s Original California Surf Lifestyle Brand Waves Goodbye to Plastic Waste With New-tech FloWater Refill Stations
Since launching the deployment of FloWater Refill stations in 2017, ONeill has already eliminated the need for more than 200,000 plastic water bottles.
On a mission to eliminate single-use plastic waste from its supply chain and operations, O’Neill today announces the installation of new-tech FloWater Refill Stations at its 8 retail locations across California, Florida, Nevada and at company headquarters in Irvine, CA.
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FloWater Refill Station in an O'Neill Retail Store (Photo: Business Wire)
The company also has plans to eliminate poly-bags from its on-line order fulfillment and will introduce a line of its best-selling Board Shorts made with recycled plastics in 2020.
“O’Neill company history is steeped in California’s surfing culture, where sustainability and protecting our oceans have always been priorities,” says Matt Sims, O’Neill’s Marketing Director. “Our founder, Jack O’Neill, left behind a legacy of ocean conservation, educating the next generation through the O’Neill Sea Odyssey foundation. This environmental spirit inherently lives within the surfing community but also in our company’s ethos.”
Since launching the deployment of FloWater Refill stations in 2017, O’Neill has already eliminated the need for more than 200,000 plastic water bottles.
Denver-based FloWater is delivering an entirely new drinking water experience—right from the tap—for the likes of Google, Red Bull, PlayStation, Specialized Bikes, Alaska Airlines, Urban Remedy, the Oakland Unified School District and at the Oakland Airport. The fast-growing company has already deployed nearly 5,000 of its new-tech water refill stations into businesses, hotels, schools, gyms, and concert venues in nearly all 50 states. Since the company’s launch in 2013, FloWater’s Refill Stations have saved over 120 million plastic water bottles from entering the environment and is on target to hit one billion by 2022.
Connecting to any potable water line and delivering pure, great-tasting and perfectly chilled water in less than 10 seconds, FloWater’s innovative 7-stage purification technology removes up to 99.9% of all contaminants, including micro-plastics, lead, chlorine, herbicides and pesticides, dirt, dust, rust, suspended solids and other contaminants. The water is oxygenated and enhanced with increased alkalinity, added electrolytes for better hydration and ‘finished’ with a coconut carbon filter for the great taste.
Each FloWater Refill Station has a ‘counter’ that shows the number of plastic water bottles saved from the environment. “Our O’Neill employees are huge fans and are drinking more water and less coffee and soda, while appreciating the opportunity to do something about plastic pollution. We also credit the FloWater Refill Stations with helping to build customer foot traffic. Our customers are attracted by FloWater’s stylish look and are happy to have the opportunity to fill their reusable water bottles and make a statement against plastic waste,” added Jim Salzetti, O’Neill’s General Manager of Retail. Refill rates by employees and customers have continued to increase every month since O’Neill installed the FloWater Refill Stations.
According to FloWater CEO and Co-Founder, Rich Razgaitis, “O’Neill and its forward-thinking customer base are on the cutting edge of a mega-consumer trend away from the plastic water bottle, building a next-gen, plastic-free culture.”
About FloWater
Connecting to any potable water line, FloWater Refill Stations extract up to 99.9% of all contaminants and harsh chemicals, including lead and chromium 6, and deliver fast-flowing, purified and chilled water that has also been oxygenated, alkalized and revitalized with electrolytes and trace minerals for better hydration. A coconut carbon filter ‘finishes’ the water for a better taste. FloWater is working with the likes of Google, Red Bull, prAna, O'Neill, PlayStation, Specialized Bikes, Alaska Airlines, YMCA and the Oakland International Airport, as well as with thousands of hotels, gyms, schools, and concert venues in nearly 50 states on a new drinking water experience—one without plastic waste and toxins. Since its launch in 2013, FloWater has eliminated the need for more 130 million plastic water bottles. FloWater recently secured $15 million in Series B investment to fuel its growth. More at www.myflowater.com
About O’Neill:
O'Neill is the original American surf brand. Jack O'Neill opened the world’s first surf shop in 1952 out of a garage off the Great Highway, San Francisco. He started out shaping boards and selling wax, eventually experimenting with insulated surf vests to extend sessions in the frigid waters of Northern California. This thought process lead to the creation of the neoprene wetsuit, an invention of Jack’s that changed the surf world forever. The shop later moved to Santa Cruz and went full force into the wetsuit business. That same progressive spirit still drives the company forward today. We at O'Neill strive to innovate, evolve, and produce timeless products to benefit those who live the surf lifestyle. More information at https://us.oneill.com/.
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