April 9, 2026

Key takeaways

• By replacing single-use bottles and cans with an integrated beverage platform, businesses can reduce their hydration-related emissions—while also gleaning additional benefits, including space utilization data and beverage consumption trends.

• To prove it down to a data point, we ran a life cycle assessment (LCA) of our flagship machine model, the Standup 2.0. Read on to learn how, with Bevi, you can have your beverage and drink it, too. Download our 2025 Environmental Impact Report.

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Reducing plastic pollution for a healthier planet

Bevi was founded in 2013 after co-founder Eliza Becton decided to do something about the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, an accumulation of 1.8 trillion pieces of trash, mostly plastic, floating in the North Pacific Ocean.

She was inspired to find an alternative to all of the plastic waste making its way into the ocean every year. In 2013, she teamed up with Sean Grundy and Frank Lee to create Bevi. Together, the team was focused on fusing hardware, software, and design with a product that could solve a major part of the plastic pollution problem: single-use plastic bottles.

They invented the Smart Water Cooler® category of product as a result. These countertop and standup beverage dispensers pour still, sparkling, flavored, and enhanced water on-demand and use IoT-driven telemetry for tracking consumption and planning for maintenance.

Offsetting the need for one billion single-use bottles

As of December 2025, Bevi’s Smart Water Cooler® machines have officially eliminated the need for one billion single-use plastic bottles.

That is one billion fewer bottles manufactured, transported, and discarded. Filling a reusable bottle might feel like a small, inconspicuous act, but when multiplied by hundreds of thousands of people, it changes the world. When you choose to hydrate happy with Bevi, you are a part of a positive impact rather than a wasteful action.

Where Bevi can help your business reduce its plastic problem

For organizations committed to achieving net-zero targets, every facet of the corporate footprint requires scrutiny—including the high-volume waste generated by traditional beverage supply chains. 

Bevi’s Smart Water Cooler® is engineered to meet this challenge, transforming daily hydration from a logistical burden into a measurable driver of greenhouse gas reductions. 

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Last updated April 22, 2025.

A minute from now, another million plastic bottles of water will have been sold all over the world. Are you buying?

The vast majority of these plastic water bottles will be used only once. Most won’t be recycled. Instead, they’ll be incinerated or forgotten—piling up in landfills, clogging rivers, washing into oceans. And over time, they’ll break down into microplastics that are now showing up inside the human body. 

Despite mounting evidence of the environmental and health risks, plastic bottled water sales keep climbing. Why?

• Most people don’t realize how much plastic they’re actually drinking.
• Research into what microplastics do to our health is only just beginning.
• Plastic bottles are cheap to make and easy to move.
• Brands build their identity on single-use packaging.
• Recycling efforts provide just enough cover to keep the system going.

This report was written to show exactly how every bottle counts. It lays out how plastic bottles are made, where they end up, and what they’re doing to our environment and our bodies. It also shows what the alternative looks like when you eliminate the bottle entirely.

What’s below:

• How much bottled plastic the beverage industry is selling
• Why recycling doesn’t come close to solving the problem
• What plastic bottles are doing to the environment
• How plastic packaging is contaminating the drinking water it’s supposed to deliver

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There’s already a better way

Bevi machines filter your water to make it the kind of beverage you actually want to drink. Sparkling or still, flavored or plain, cold or room temperature, with or without functional ingredients. No single-use plastic bottles. Just the best water you’ve ever tasted.

Removing plastic, inside and out. Bevi machines not only eliminate the need for a single-use bottle, but also the risk of plastic in your drinking water. They are equipped with advanced filtration that removes 99.9% of microplastics and other common contaminants.*

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*when using the recommended 3M HF20-i carbon filter.

An industry built on waste

Since plastic bottles began replacing glass in the 1970s, the beverage industry has built its entire supply chain around cheap, lightweight plastic.

• 600 billion plastic bottles are produced each year for water alone.
• 15.9 billion gallons of bottled water were sold in the United States in 2023. 
• By 2050, we’re on track to produce 2.4 trillion pounds of plastic annually.

From manufacturing to transport to disposal, plastic bottles waste energy and create emissions. And once discarded, they become long-term pollutants, whether intact or as microplastics.

The recycling excuse

Ask most beverage brands about their plastic environmental impact, and they’ll point to ambitious recycling goals.

• Coke: By 2035, Coca-Cola aims to collect the equivalent of 75% of the bottles and cans it puts into the market each year in order to recycle them.
• Pepsi: By this year, Pepsi is looking to have 100% of its packaging be recyclable, compostable, biodegradable, or reusable.
• Nestlé: By the end of this year, Nestlé is looking to have 95% of its plastic packaging designed for recycling.

These efforts sound promising. But recycling doesn’t scale nearly fast enough to keep up with this much plastic production. Plus, if companies are not reducing the amount of plastic they’re making in the first place, there’s no reason to think recycling will change anything for our planet or for our health.

These efforts are only worth it if there's follow through. Coca-Cola, for example, previously pledged to recycle 100% of the equivalent number of bottles and cans it put out into the market each year, then revised it down to 75% last December. They also pledged to make 25% of their bottles returnable or refillable by 2030, but that commitment was quietly removed from the company’s website years later.

Is recycling important, even necessary? Absolutely. A successful circular economy requires us to have the capacity to recycle. But recycling is often used as a distraction. An action that sounds like a solution but mostly provides good press and enough cover to keep single-use production going.

Recycling isn’t the answer. It’s stopping the production of single-use plastic bottles altogether.  

• Just 32% of U.S. trash is recycled or composted.
• Only 9% of all plastic ever produced has been recycled.
• Even PET bottles—widely seen as highly recyclable—had a 33% recycling rate in 2023. The other 67% ended up in landfills, incinerators, waterways, or our oceanas that year.

Leakage is inherent to the system. No matter how much we recycle, plastic waste continues to escape into the environment.

What it takes to produce plastic bottles

Beyond the sheer volume of plastic waste added to the environment, plastic bottles are also remarkably resource-intensive to produce, transport, and refrigerate.

• Producing one liter of bottled water requires three liters of water.
• It takes up to 2,000 times more energy to produce and transport bottled water compared to a similar volume of tap water.
• One bottle generates roughly 83g of carbon dioxide emissions from factory to fridge.

All of this effort and expenditure for water you likely already have access to on tap.

How big is the plastic pollution problem? 

Despite recycling initiatives, plastic bottles continue to flood the environment:

• 33 billion pounds of plastic enter marine ecosystems every year.
• Beverage containers make up 12% of waste entering our oceans, nearly 4 billion pounds annually. 
• Each plastic water bottle takes at least 400 years to degrade once it’s in the ocean. 
• Plastic in a landfill can take far longer to break down, with some items, such as plastic bags, estimated to last up to 1,000 years.

At least 267 species—from sea turtles to seabirds—are affected by plastic waste through entanglement, ingestion, suffocation, and more.

The plastic we’re drinking

• 93% of bottled waters tested contained microplastics, at levels double that of tap water.
• A single plastic bottle can contain 240,000 microplastic particles.
• This finding represents a tenfold to hundredfold increase compared to previous estimates, which primarily focused on larger microplastic particles. 

All of the plastic that is dumped into our ocean becomes part of the water we drink. But the problem truly starts with the bottle of water itself. The material of the plastic bottle itself degrades over time, especially when subjected to physical stresses like squeezing or exposure to heat, leading to the release of microplastics into the liquid. 

Microplastics can also be introduced during the manufacturing processes, including the handling of plastic materials in the bottling plants and the use of plastic components in the equipment. The duration of time that a beverage spends in its plastic packaging, both during processing and storage, can also influence the extent to which microplastics leach into the liquid.

It doesn’t have to be this way

All of this plastic waste, all of this energy and capital, comes down to one word: unnecessary.

Most places already have access to tap water. For places that don’t, getting clean water delivered at scale should be the goal, not bottling it up, branding it, and shipping it around the world.

If we’re lucky enough to have water at the tap, we should be focused on filtering it and making it enjoyable to drink—whether that means adding fizz, flavor, or functional enhancements.

You’re better off drinking filtered tap water than anything that comes in plastic. So is the planet. So are the ocean’s ecosystems. A generation from now, bottled water will seem as outdated as smoking on airplanes or not wearing seatbelts. Kids will come home and ask if we really used to buy this many bottles for water.

Bevi was founded so that we didn’t have to wait to make that future a reality.

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August 12, 2024. Events and conferences are a chance to connect. Meet new people, share novel ideas. But running these events also takes a lot of work—and generates a significant amount of waste, especially when you consider the single-use resources needed to keep attendees, organizers, and staff hydrated throughout a multi-day experience. 

To tackle this need for better hydration solutions, organizers are turning to water cooler rentals that are capable of delivering the same fun hydration experiences consumers have come to expect from bottled and canned beverages—such as interesting flavor combinations, functional ingredients, and sparkling options—without the single-use bottle or can. That means less waste and more memorable moments for attendees between talks, breakout sessions, and end-of-day socials.

Curious how it works in action? Here are three events made better with the help of a Smart Water Cooler machine.

TED2024: (No plastic) ideas worth spreading

At TED’s 40th anniversary, week-long conference, TED2024, the Bevi water dispenser delighted guests and staff while limiting the need for single-use bottles and cans, according to Rachelle Collete, senior manager of food and beverage at TED.

1. Why was the Bevi water cooler your rental choice for the event?

Rachelle Collete: Our conference program is jam-packed every day from the get-go until the evening. A personalizable water refill station is a really fun and engaging way for attendees to stay hydrated between sessions. We were excited to give our attendees the option to add caffeine or vitamins, select their level of carbonation, and mix and match new and fun flavor combinations. We're always looking for ways to transform the mundane into something delightful and memorable!

2. What was the overall sentiment or reaction to the water cooler at the event from attendees?

RC: Our community just loved the Bevi water stations. Attendees enjoyed creating their own unique flavor combinations and I overheard on more than one occasion attendees talking about their favorite blends amongst one another! Adding caffeine and vitamins to their water was a huge success and people sought the machines out throughout the week in an effort to find their own perfect formula.

3. How did the water cooler rental help your event achieve its environmental goals?

RC: Bevi was instrumental for sustainable onsite hydration. We encouraged attendees to refill their reusable water bottles to stay hydrated between talks. We saw a decrease in the amount of bottled and canned water consumed onsite.

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GumGum: Good vibes and better tasting water

In the GumGum booth at the 2024 POSSIBLE conference in Miami, Florida, attendees were treated to a lounge- and mindset-themed setting that encouraged those to relax, recover, and connect. That included getting hydrated at the Bevi machine. According to Elaine Tripoulas of Sequence Events, the event planning agency who put on the GumGum booth at POSSIBLE, the Smart Water Cooler® machine saw great traction throughout the day.

1. Why was the Bevi water cooler your rental choice for the event?

Elaine Tripoulas: GumGum decided to sponsor Bevi stations throughout the event, and of course we had to include one in their booth as well. Event attendees LOVED filling up their GumGum reusable water bottles—playing with different flavors, the vitamin boost enhancement, and other features of the machine.

2. What was the overall sentiment or reaction to the water cooler at the event from attendees?

ET: It was a hot couple of days, but our Bevi machine kept the team and the attendees hydrated and in good spirits. The booth as a whole was a hot spot for attendees to congregate and chat, and the Bevi machine certainly contributed to the welcoming and relaxing environment. 

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Hollywood Climate Summit: Practicing what you preach with water cooler rentals

The fifth annual Hollywood Climate Summit brought together industry leaders and environmental advocates to discuss climate action, with a focus on ethical dining and local flavors. They also decided to practice what they preached, using only compostable or reusable service wares, zero-packaging snacks, and locally-produced vegan options and ethically-sourced meats. This included Bevi as the water beverage provider.

1. Why was the Bevi water cooler your rental choice for the event?

The founder of the Hollywood Climate Summit was introduced to a Bevi machine at another event and knew immediately that it was something she wanted to showcase here for a wider audience to see. She knew that adding Bevi units to the event would support our ongoing goals of having less packages and more reusable items in our food and beverage program. And that people would have a lot of fun using it to stay hydrated.

2. What was the overall sentiment or reaction to the water cooler rental at the event from attendees?

It worked out better than we could have ever imagined. From the literal moment these units were installed they were a complete hit. The setup team and Academy workers were all enthralled with the options—I was excited to see people excited to drink water. 

Once the doors opened and attendees started coming in, the Bevi machines were the absolute star of the show. We even have a photo of Bill Nye using one. It was really amazing to be able to offer something innovative, tech-forward, sustainable, accessible and just plain fun.

3. How did the machine help your event achieve its environmental goals?

By partnering your machines with reusable R-Cups we significantly reduced our need for any bottled water. (Recyclable or not, it's all resource heavy).  We went through 9 cases total of RAIN water for our backstage area—all other water on-site came from people using the Bevi machines! This also reduced the work of recycling, since we had zero plastic water bottles going into our recycling bins.

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October 17, 2024. Are plastic water bottles safe to drink from? The answer is a resounding, "Nope." And, given that awareness of how unsafe they are is growing daily, by 2040, most countries will have put a ban on single-use plastic bottles.

This may seem like an impossibly fast change. Plastic bottled beverages are currently everywhere. An estimated 1.3 billion are sold each day for water alone. Aren’t people too dependent? Do governments have the support to enforce it?

Plus, even if you know it’s wasteful, without water, soda, juice, or sports bottled drinks available at stores, gas stations, or vending machines, the world might not look quite right. But this future free from single-use plastic bottles will arrive sooner than you think.

Why? Five reasons.

1. Single-use plastic bottles are by and large completely unnecessary.

Curbing pollution is difficult for most major industries, such as transportation, energy, and agriculture, because we rely on them so heavily; we must find sustainable solutions while continuing business as usual. The beverage industry, though, is different. It's an industry of unnecessary excess, especially with plastic. The world’s largest beverage companies are the world’s leading plastic polluters—and their rate of pollution only continues to grow.

Out of the 14 million tons of plastic waste that get dumped into our oceans every year, 12% of it is plastic bottles. All this plastic pollution, over time, causes microplastics to enter our water supply, to become a part of the food we eat. These microplastics are a growing hazard to our health; they are being found everywhere—in our hair, lungs, arteries, blood, brains—and studies are starting to link them to serious health complications, such as heart attack, stroke, and even death. 

Plastic water bottles aren't safe for the planet and they aren't healthy for us to drink from.

Given that most places in the world have access to water from wells or taps, the focus should be on purifying this water for safe drinking and enhancing its taste and functionality, rather than bottling it in plastic containers that will eventually become yet another pollutant. We can, and should, move the beverage industry in a completely different direction without majorly disrupting our way of life.

2. Plastic water bottles have too many microplastics in them.

It’s not only that plastic bottle waste pollutes our environments, which in turn means it ends up polluting our drinking water. It’s also that the plastic bottles we are drinking from pollute the drinks themselves. A liter of bottled water contains 240,000 detectable plastic fragments, dramatically more than thought of just a few years ago. There’s also 252% more PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastic in bottles used for soda than those used for water, raising concerns that microplastics in those sugary bottled beverages could be even worse than what we’re seeing in plastic water bottles. Studies have already shown that bottled soft drinks and teas have some level of microplastic contamination.

3. Consumers are already over it.

Three out of four people want to see a worldwide ban on single-use plastics. Either due to the negative impact these products are causing to the environment, the negative impact they're likely having on human health, or a combination of both factors, for most people, enough is enough. Time for less plastic packaging, no new plastic straws, and a complete ban on disposable plastic bottled beverages.

4. Policy action has already started.

Pollution from beverage companies is so extreme that U.S. states and cities and environmental groups have taken to suing these companies for endangering environmental and public health and misleading consumers on the recyclability of plastic. Massachusetts became the first state to ban purchase of single-use plastic bottles by state agencies this past summer. And starting this past summer, some cities in California banned plastic and paper water containers from being sold.

Are plastic water bottles safe? Many state governments think not.

At the same time as bans are going into effect, reusable bottles are also becoming more of a hallmark of everyone’s daily carry, rendering single-use plastic bottles a needless extravagance. From New York City to San Diego, legislation is being put in place to allow for people to bring reusable bottles into stadiums, concert venues, and other businesses where single-use containers used to dominate. That trend will only continue.

Lastly, look no further than Europe for the sweeping policy change around single-use plastic bottles that’s already underway. The European Union, a trailblazer on many regulations that end up spreading throughout the world, such as food safety standards and data privacy, has already started imposing limits on single-use plastic packaging. And the Olympics this year in Paris took significant strides to cut down the use of single-use plastics.

5. Solutions already exist in market that can replace single-use plastic water bottles. Let's embrace them.

Perhaps most relevant, we aren’t waiting on any technological breakthroughs to offer high-quality beverages without single-use plastic bottles. Sustainable solutions (from Bevi and other companies!) are available right now, in many cases at a significant price discount to bottled beverages.

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As far out as it may seem that most countries will ban single-use plastic bottles over the next fifteen years, it’s important to remember what we’re moving towards rather than what we’re leaving behind. Alternatives to single-use plastic bottles can be just as convenient and refreshing, as well as more fun and customizable, and not to mention actually sustainable, if we design them that way.

A future free from single-use plastic bottles is one where we’re not only healthier, but happier. Instead of having to worry about if a plastic water bottle is safe to drink from, you can just enjoy the beverage itself.

October 20, 2024. You’ve probably seen a Bevi machine in offices, cafeterias, and warehouses—but did you know it’s popping up in some totally unexpected places? From nail salons to car washes, these bubbly Smart Water Cooler machines are replacing the need for single-use beverage in everyday spots where you'd normally (or maybe not normally!) buy a bottle of water. Here are 5 place you wouldn't expect to find a Bevi machine in the past, but you just might today.

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1. Nail salons 

At nail salons like MiniLuxe in Boston’s Prudential Center, Bevi has become a hit. “Clients love it, and so does the team,” says one manager. When you're getting a manicure, your hands aren’t free for much—so sipping on a refreshing drink is one of the few things you can do. With Bevi, customers can hydrate while they wait, keeping them refreshed and energized during long appointments. Plus, it’s a great perk for salon staff, reducing the need to stock bottled drinks.

2. Car washes 

Waiting for your car to be cleaned can be boring, especially when you’re stuck in the waiting room on a hot day. But some car washes have installed Bevi machines, turning that wait into a more pleasant experience. Whether you’re sipping a flavored drink or getting a boost from electrolytes, having a Bevi on hand makes the time pass more quickly. By the time your car is spotless, you'll be refreshed and ready to tackle the rest of your day. Not so wild to expect to find a Bevi machine at a car wash, now is it?

3. Laundromats 

Doing laundry may be one of those I’ve-got-to-get-it-done chores, but some laundromats are making their experiences something to look forward to by installing Bevi machines. While you wait for your clothes to wash and dry, you can grab a refreshing, customizable drink—whether it’s a sparkling water with a splash of flavor or a caffeine boost to help you power through the rest of your day. Bevi turns a routine trip to the laundromat into a little moment of refreshment, making laundry day feel a bit more like "me time."

4. Breweries 

At Aeronaut Brewery, Bevi is a crowd-pleaser. “The Bevi machine is a big hit with our guests,” says lead bartender Drew Fosdick. In a setting where drinking beer is the main event, Bevi helps guests stay hydrated, balancing out alcohol consumption with water. The one-to-one rule (one glass of water for every alcoholic drink) is easier to follow with Bevi around. Plus, it’s a game-changer for designated drivers and non-drinkers who can enjoy a fun, customizable drink while still being part of the brewery experience.

5. Car dealerships 

Buying a car can be stressful or waiting for your car to be serviced can drag on and on, but some dealerships are making it a bit more relaxing by offering Bevi drinks. Whether you’re grabbing a drink while browsing or sipping before sealing the deal, the Bevi dispenser provides a refreshing break from the intensity of big purchases. It’s a small touch that can make the whole experience feel more enjoyable.

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• The Rise of Better-For-You Soda
• Crafting a better retail experience with Bevi at The Paper Store

September 19, 2024. We can learn a lot from countries taking bold action to reduce plastic production and make use (and re-use) of the plastic that we’ve already produced. These countries show that through new policies, green technologies, and better public awareness, reducing plastic waste can be efficient and rewarding.

Not all plastic management methods will work everywhere, but understanding what works for some will help us all tackle the global plastic problem faster. 

Plastic production currently uses 14% of the world’s oil, and according to the International Energy Agency, petrochemicals will drive half of the growth in oil demand by 2050. That means there's a lot of room for improvement! Plastics harm the environment at every stage, with 25% incinerated and 55% ending up in landfills or out in nature.

Swift, global action is needed to end this detriment to our health and the planet’s ecosystems, and these nations provide valuable examples of how we can start to make a real difference.

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Rwanda

"Use of non-biodegradable polythene bags is prohibited." You’ll see that sign when landing at the airport of Rwanda’s capital city—and your eyes aren’t deceiving you. Border agents will check if you’ve got a plastic bag with you. 

Rwanda emerged as a global leader in the fight against plastics in 2008 when it banned plastic bags. Since then, they have been on course to eliminate all single-use plastic. Along with other sustainability policies and civic engagement, the country has earned some unique distinctions. Kigali, Rwanda's capital, for example, is celebrated as the cleanest city on the African continent.

Banning Single-use Plastics. In 2003, an investigation led by the Rwandan Ministry of Health revealed that single-use plastic items were causing significant environmental problems. Plastics were blocking water channels, threatening biodiversity in water bodies, clogging drainage systems, and preventing water infiltration into the soil. Alarmed by the negative impact on agriculture and the broader environment, Rwanda started taking its decisive legal action. Eleven years later, the country expanded its to other popular single-use items, such as bottles, straws, plates, and forks. Rwanda led the way, 34 African countries have followed and implemented their own bans on plastic.

Community Participation. Rwanda's dedication to reducing plastic waste is clear through both government action and citizen involvement. The practice of Umuganda, meaning “coming together in common purpose,” is rooted in traditional Rwandan culture. Reintroduced in 1998 to aid the nation’s rebuilding after the genocide, Umuganda is now sanctioned and occurs on the last Saturday of each month. During this time, citizens aged 16 to 65 participate in community service, including plastic waste cleanup. They also engage in debates regarding what needs to be done in the community.

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Germany

Germany boasts the highest recycling rate in Europe, recycling roughly 67% of its garbage waste on a municipal level. Thanks to mandatory waste sorting policies, an impressive deposit refund scheme, and high public awareness about recycling correctly, the nation provides a strong example of how to engage citizens in eco-friendly waste management.

Reducing Excessive Packaging. Do you ever look at all the layers of plastic and cardboard waste in your deliveries and lament? Germany’s Packaging Act (VerpackG), which went into effect in 2019, targets the reduction of excessive packaging. This legislation requires manufacturers to contribute to the cost of recycling their packaging, thus incentivizing the reduction of plastic use from the beginning.

Ambitious Bottle Deposit System: Germany's impressive recycling rate can be largely attributed to its ambitious and country-wide embrace of the deposit return system (DRS), known as the Pfandsystem. 

Established in 2003, this system incentivizes recycling by offering a small refund for returning bottles and cans to designated locations, making the recycling process both enjoyable and rewarding.

Imagine you’re a tourist in Germany, enjoying a refreshing beverage on a sunny day. When you purchase your drink at the store, you’ll pay a small deposit, ranging from €0.08 to €0.25. This price, called the ‘Pfand,’ is reflected on the bottle’s label. Once you’re finished, you can return the bottle to one of the many return locations at retail stores and supermarkets. There, a machine scans and processes your bottle, and you receive a receipt that allows you to get your money back at the checkout. Germany's effective public education about the system has led to an impressive 98.4% total return rate, reflecting enthusiastic participation from its citizens.

Did you know? In the U.S.A., bottle deposit schemes, or “bottle bills,” currently exist in ten states, including California, New York, and Vermont. We have yet to enjoy the same kind of citizen engagement as in Germany, however, as a result of lower public awareness and deposit values.

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Sweden 

Sweden has emerged as a global leader in environmental sustainability, taking bold steps to reduce plastic waste and promote a circular economy.

Ambitious Waste-to-Energy Program: Sweden's advanced waste-to-energy (WTE) program is a cornerstone of its waste management strategy. The country pioneered WTE technology, which converts waste into energy, in the mid-twentieth century, with its first plant operating amid the post-war home-building boom in the late 1940s. The impact has been massive: thanks to this innovative approach, only 1% of the country’s trash ends up in landfills. 47% is recycled, and 52% is converted into energy, providing homes around the Nordic country with heat and electricity. 

More exciting developments are taking place in Sweden’s urban areas. The city of Stolkholm has built an underground waste collection system: thanks to this, waste chutes, placed in designated collection points throughout the city, take people’s trash and transport it to waste-to-energy incinerators. It’s real, but sounds like something out of a science fiction movie. How’s that for an urban development model for the future?

National Strategy for a Circular Economy: In July 2020, the Swedish government presented a national strategy to transition to a circular economy. Unlike a linear economy, where natural resources become waste at the end of their journey from production to disposal, a circular economy aims to create a closed-loop system where material goods and products continue to bring utility to citizens for as long as possible.

Key focus areas in Sweden's strategy include investing in sustainable product design, promoting the use of toxin-free materials, and educating consumers to support circular business models in their everyday lives. This comprehensive approach ensures that materials remain in use for as long as possible. Through these comprehensive efforts, Sweden demonstrates how effective policies and innovative programs can lead to significant environmental benefits, setting a benchmark for other countries to follow.

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Costa Rica 

Costa Rica, in a bid to protect its natural biodiversity, became one of the world’s leaders in environmental protection by stating a desire to become carbon neutral as a country in 2007. While it will take them until 2050 to meet this goal, the country already runs entirely on renewable energy for more than 300 days of the year; no other country of its size has done this.  

Another key part of the country’s plan to meet net-zero? Reducing its plastic consumption.

Enhancing Recycling Efficacy: Aligning with the country’s broader goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050, Costa Rica passed legislation banning the sale and distribution of single-use plastic shopping bags, straws, and cutlery. The government passed this law in 2019, along with measures aimed at reducing the impact of plastic bottles. Now, importers and manufacturers of plastic bottles must regulate the amount of recycled resin used and invest in less harmful waste disposal methods. The legislation encourages companies to partner with municipalities in improving waste management, fostering collaboration that is essential for achieving Costa Rica's ambitious environmental sustainability goals.

Researching Eco-Friendly Alternatives: In order to make the single-use plastic ban feasible for businesses, Costa Rica is leading the way in researching eco-friendly alternatives. One notable example involved students at the University of Costa Rica who developed a biodegradable material from bananas that proved to be five times stronger than plastic. This innovation highlights the potential of sustainable materials. Imagine all we could accomplish if other countries followed suit.

Japan

Japan has a long way to go in the race to tackle plastic pollution. The country ranks as the second-largest generator of plastic packaging waste per capita after the US. But recent policy shifts, combined with the country's unique conservation culture, signals a plastic reduction and recycling juggernaut soon to be.

Waste Not, Want Not: The expression Mottainai can be roughly translated into “waste not, want not,” deriving from the words mottai (importance of sanctity) and nai (lack). This centuries old-principle of Japanese philosophy permeates modern society, and transforms resource conservation into a part of the cultural ethos. Driven by Mottainai, Japanese people are more inclined to recycle and reuse items in their everyday lives, seeing value and potential in what other people may try to discard. That’s why over 80% of Japan separates garbage into 10 different categories for collection and recycling. And it’s likely a big part of the reason why the country has long seen a plastic recycling rate above 85%. 

Enhanced Waste Management: Japan has recently made significant strides to improve its waste management system through the implementation of the Act on Promotion of Resource Circulation for Plastics, which went into effect in April 2022. This legislation does many things, including:

• Pushes manufacturers to design products for easier recycling
• Requires major retailers and hotel chains to use plastic products made from 60% recycled or biodegradable materials by 2030. 
• Asks convenience stores and hotels to begin charging for plastic items like disposable cutlery and toothbrushes. 

In response, Japanese businesses are planning to increase plastic recycling and adopt biodegradable alternatives in the near-future. Companies like Kirin Holdings, a large beer conglomerate, has indicated it will use 50% recycled plastics in its products by 2027, just three short years from now.

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A Way Forward?

While we often talk about the importance of recycling and many American companies tout ESG as a top priority, the United States consistently ranks as one of the highest plastic polluting countries. And we have little civic engagement to fix this problem: US households throw 76% of their recyclables into the trash instead of the recycling bin. (But maybe it’s because we already know our recycling system is broken.)

So, what can we do? To effectively reduce plastic pollution, we should embrace more ambitious policies. For instance, banning commonly used single-use plastics—including bottles, straws, and bags—can significantly protect both the environment and public health. Bold actions in plastic reduction are crucial for making a real impact, even if they seem like too big of a change at first.

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Last updated March 13, 2025.

Microplastics—tiny plastic particles less than five millimeters in diameter—have become a pervasive pollutant in our global ecosystem. These particles infiltrate our oceans, rivers, air, and even the food we eat, posing serious risks to human health and the environment.

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Understanding microplastics

Microplastics fall into two main categories: primary and secondary microplastics, with an emerging third category—nanoplastics—raising even greater concerns.

Primary microplastics

These are tiny plastic particles intentionally manufactured for commercial use. They include:

• Microbeads: Found in exfoliating personal care products and some industrial applications.
• Microfibers: Shed from synthetic textiles during washing and wear, as well as other consumer products.

We’ll dive deeper into microbeads and microfibers in the next section.

Secondary microplastics

These result from the breakdown of larger plastic debris, such as single-use bottles, bags, and discarded fishing nets. Exposure to sunlight, wind, waves, and other environmental forces causes these plastics to degrade into smaller fragments over time.

In marine environments, these fragments comprise an estimated 22% of microplastics identified by researchers.

Both primary and secondary microplastics now contaminate land and sea, fueling a planet-wide pollution crisis.

The rise of nanoplastics

As plastic continues to degrade, it forms nanoplastics, an even smaller subset of microplastics—typically less than 1 micrometer in size. These particles can:

• Penetrate deep into biological tissues and cells, entering the body through inhalation, ingestion, or skin absorption.
• Bypass biological barriers, accumulating in organs and potentially disrupting cellular function.
• Interact with pollutants at a molecular level, leading to complex and poorly understood ecological consequences.

With their ability to infiltrate ecosystems and living organisms in ways we are only beginning to understand, nanoplastics may represent the most insidious form of plastic pollution yet.

A closer look at microbeads and microfibers

These tiny pollutants are creating serious risks to public health and the environment.

Microbeads

About 50 years ago, cosmetics manufacturers began replacing natural exfoliants with microbeads—tiny plastic particles used in products like toothpaste, body scrubs, and face wash. While they provided effective exfoliation, their environmental impact was devastating. Because of their microscopic size, microbeads easily slipped through wastewater treatment systems, polluting waterways where fish and marine life often mistook them for food.

Recognizing the danger, the Microbead-Free Waters Act of 2015, signed by President Obama, initiated a ban on microbeads in personal care products, with full enforcement by July 2018. However, microbeads still persist in some regions, and consumers can identify them in products by checking for ingredients like polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polymethyl methacrylate, polylactic acid, or nylon on labels.

Microfibers

Unlike microbeads, microfibers are not intentionally manufactured—they are microscopic fibers shed from synthetic textiles like polyester and nylon, especially during washing.

With synthetic fibers now making up 64% of the global textile market, microfiber contamination is an escalating crisis. Microfibers also originate from clothing, home textiles, personal care products, fishing nets, rope, and cigarette filters. Over time, this has led to staggering levels of pollution.

Here are some troubling microplastics statistics that highlight the dangers of microfibers:

• A single 13-pound load of synthetic fabric laundry can release up to 18 million microfibers into wastewater, contributing to widespread environmental pollution.
• One study estimated that 5.6 million metric tons of synthetic microfibers were released from apparel washing between 1950 and 2016, with half of that pollution occurring in just the last decade.
• Cigarette butts release an estimated 300,000 metric tons of microfibers into the environment each year.
• These fibers contain over 4,000 toxic chemicals, including tar, arsenic, lead, and heavy metals.

Despite growing awareness, efforts to reduce microfiber pollution remain sluggish. A recent California bill proposed that all new residential washing machines be required to include microfiber filters by 2029, but Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed it, citing consumer cost concerns. This setback underscores the urgent need for stronger waste management policies, global regulations, and sustainable textile innovations to curb microfiber contamination before it worsens.

Why are microplastics everywhere?

As microplastics shed from everyday products, they continue to accumulate in the air, water, and soil, increasing risks to wildlife, ecosystems, and human health. Scientists have detected microplastics in every marine habitat ever studied, highlighting their widespread presence and persistent nature.

Here are the primary sources of microplastics:

Plastic water bottles

• 85% of single-use plastic bottles end up as plastic waste and take 1,000 years to degrade.
• Bottled water contains twice as many microplastic particles as filtered tap water.
• 93% of bottled water samples tested show microplastic contamination.

Synthetic textiles

• Modern clothing is increasingly made from polyester, nylon, and other synthetic fibers, which shed microplastics during wear and washing.
• Synthetic textiles contribute 34.8% of global microplastic pollution.

Tires

• Today’s tires are mostly made of synthetic rubber, which wears down as vehicles drive, releasing microplastic particles into the air.
• Tire wear accounts for 28.3% of global microplastic pollution.
• These particles contain toxic chemicals that can reduce fish hatchling survival rates and cause embryo deformities.

Paint

• Flaking paint and sandblasting generate significant microplastic pollution in aquatic environments.
• Paint particles may be the largest microplastic source in oceans, lakes, and rivers, adding up to 2.9 million metric tons of plastic waste annually.

Plastic pellets (nurdles)

• These small plastic beads are the building blocks of plastic manufacturing, but millions are spilled into waterways near production sites every year.
• Contamination also occurs during transport, storage, and industrial processing, allowing nurdles to spread worldwide.

Plastic bags and agricultural mulch films

• Thin, flexible plastics, such as those used in plastic grocery bags, gradually break down into microfilms, a type of microplastic.
• Plastic mulching, a common farming practice, contributes to significant soil contamination.

Also, plastics are often infused with chemical additives such as pigments, fillers, plasticizers, antimicrobials, heat and UV stabilizers, and flame retardants. These can also enhance plastic’s flexibility, durability, and resistance to environmental factors, contributing to the enduring and pervasive challenges of plastic pollution.

How microplastics enter the food supply

In addition to prevalence in our air and drinking water, microplastics statistics reveal the presence of these particles in many of the foods we eat.

1. Seafood

Microplastics have infiltrated marine food chains, affecting everything from tiny plankton and larvae to large fish. When plastic debris breaks down and is ingested by small marine organisms, it ultimately reaches the dinner table.

Since the U.S. imports 90% of its seafood, often from regions with significant waste leakage, consumers are at increased risk of exposure.

Because fish farmed in fisheries and aquaculture environments typically have shorter lifespans, and live in more controlled conditions, it’s possible they have a lower risk of microplastic exposure. However, researchers are still investigating whether farmed seafood contains lower amounts of microplastic contamination than wild-caught fish.

2. Meat and dairy

Beyond seafood, microplastics also infiltrate our diet through land-based food sources. A 2022 study found microplastics in 75% of meat and milk products tested.

When plastic waste breaks down in soil and water sources, it mixes with animal feed crops, which livestock then consume. Additionally, grazing on polluted pastures and drinking contaminated water also introduce microplastics into their bodies. Over time, these particles accumulate, eventually ending up in the meat and dairy products that humans consume.

3. Fruits and vegetables

Studies have found significant microplastic contamination in apples, tomatoes, and carrots. Microplastics infiltrate plant-based foods primarily through contaminated soil and water, as the plants absorb microplastics through their roots.

Where microplastics are found in the human body

Microplastics statistics reveal these particles are present in nearly every part of the human body.

Key findings include:

• Blood: Research has found microplastics in 77% of blood samples tested, indicating their ability to circulate throughout the body.
• Placentas and breast milk: A 2022 study found microplastics in 75% of breast milk samples. Additionally, microplastics have been detected in human placentas and even newborns’ first stools.
• Organs and tissues: Scientists have discovered microplastics in human lungs, livers, and kidneys. A 2024 study even found them in human testicles, with concerns about their effects on fertility.
• Brain: Alarmingly, emerging research suggests that microplastics may cross the blood-brain barrier, with potential links to neurodegenerative diseases like dementia.

This evidence indicates that humans are ingesting microplastics throughout their lives and even before birth, posing a significant threat to global health.

How microplastics impact human health

Adults consume up to 121,000 microplastic particles per year from air, food, and drinks. While humans can eliminate over 90% of ingested microplastics, once ingested or inhaled they can cause inflammation, disrupt hormones, and introduce toxic chemicals and pathogens into the body.

Key health impacts include:

• Cardiovascular diseases: A 2024 study found that patients with microplastics in their arterial plaque were 4.5 times more likely to experience heart attack, stroke, or death.
• Digestive issues: People with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have higher concentrations of microplastics in their feces, suggesting a link between ingestion and gut health issues.
• Respiratory diseases: Microplastics can penetrate deep into the lungs, causing inflammation, oxidative stress, and impaired lung function, raising concerns about long-term respiratory diseases and potential organ translocation.
• Endocrine disruption: Many plastics contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals that interfere with hormones, potentially leading to metabolic disorders, reproductive issues, and developmental problems in children.
• Cancer risk: Some microplastics contain carcinogenic additives and absorb toxic pollutants from the environment, potentially increasing cancer risks over time.

• Risks from chemical additives: For example, Bisphenol A (BPA) has been linked to hormonal imbalances, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes.
• Exposure to bacteria and pathogens: Microplastics can also serve as carriers for bacteria and pathogens, potentially contributing to the spread of disease when ingested.

Although the full extent of their impact is still being studied, the presence of microplastics in the human body underscores the urgent need for further research and effective measures to reduce plastic pollution.

The environmental impact of microplastics

While researchers are working to fully understand the impact of microplastics on the environment, here are some key statistics and information that underscore the importance of mitigating plastic pollution.

• Over 1,300 marine species have been documented ingesting plastic debris.
• A global review of studies found that 60% of fish contained microplastics, with carnivorous species accumulating more than omnivores (predominantly microfibers).
• Blue whales, the largest marine animals, ingest up to 10 million microplastic particles daily. Microplastics affect not only aquatic life but also birds and mammals.
• The ingestion of microplastics has been linked to serious health consequences in wildlife, including reduced food intake, stunted growth, behavioral changes, lower reproductive success, reduced energy levels, altered gene expression, and cellular/DNA damage.

5 latest microplastics statistics

Recent news has revealed the following microplastics statistics.

1. Bottled water contains as much as twice as many microplastic particles as tap water (source)

As we’ve mentioned, researchers found microplastic contamination in 93% of water bottles. This was from a study which sampled more than 250 bottled water products sold in nine countries.

The bottled water industry isn’t stringently regulated—at least not as much as our municipal tap systems. This means that even water marketed as “pure” can still be full of contaminants. However, tap water still has significant levels of microplastics, so filtering tap water, such as with a Bevi office water cooler and dispenser, is a safer alternative.

2. Microplastics hinder photosynthesis, threatening 400 million people with starvation (source)

Microplastics are cutting food supplies by disrupting photosynthesis, reducing staple crop yields by up to 14% and marine algae growth by 7%.

Asia is hardest hit, losing up to 177 million tons of wheat, rice, and maize yearly. The U.S. and Europe are also seeing declines.

In the oceans, microplastics are shrinking fish and seafood stocks by up to 24 million metric tons annually—enough protein to feed tens of millions. Without intervention, microplastics could worsen global food insecurity in the coming decades.

3. Ditching bottled water can decrease microplastic intake by 90% (source)

Switching to filtered tap water can dramatically reduce your exposure, cutting annual microplastic consumption from 90,000 to 4,000 particles. A simple change with a big impact.

4. The Great Lakes have the among the highest reported levels of microplastics worldwide (source)

Microplastics have been discovered in sources of drinking water and in fish collected from the Great Lakes and their watersheds.

In the fish, levels are among the highest reported worldwide, suggesting human exposure to microplastics through Great Lakes resources and making swimming in them hazardous.

5. Alarming levels of microplastics in the brain could be increasing dementia risk (source)

Studies reveal that microplastics accumulate in the human brain, with dementia patients showing up to five times higher levels. Brain tissues also hold seven to 30 times more microplastics than other organs, mirroring the surge in environmental pollution.

Particles under 200 nanometers, primarily polyethylene, can penetrate cerebrovascular walls and immune cells, potentially crossing the blood-brain barrier. As research continues, the link between microplastics and cognitive decline raises serious health concerns.

What’s being done to combat microplastics?

Governments and organizations worldwide are taking action:

• Legislation: The EU’s Zero Pollution Action Plan aims to cut microplastic pollution by 30% by 2030. Canada has banned certain single-use plastics, while the U.S. passed the Microbead-Free Waters Act in 2015.
• Lawsuits: New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a landmark lawsuit against PepsiCo, claiming the company endangers the environment and public health with plastic pollution.
• Corporate responsibility: Companies like Bevi provide sustainable alternatives, such as filtered water systems that reduce microplastics exposure at the point of use.
• Scientific innovation: Researchers are exploring biodegradable plastics and improved filtration technologies to reduce environmental contamination.

How to reduce your microplastics exposure

The easiest way to reduce your microplastic exposure is to avoid buying bottled water when possible. Not only are there approximately twice as many microplastic particles in bottled water than tap water, but also the vast majority of plastic bottles end up as waste in a landfill or as marine plastic.

Consider switching to a reusable bottle that you can fill up numerous times throughout the day. Bevi water machines can help your office, workplace, or retail space make the switch by offering filtered, flavored, and unflavored water at the tap of a button.

Other ways to reduce your intake of microplastics include:

• Drinking filtered tap water instead of bottled water.
• Using reusable bottles and sustainable packaging to reduce plastic waste. 
• Cutting back on alcohol and seafood.
• Stopping heating and storing food in plastic containers—use glass instead.
• Avoiding single-use plastics for food storage.
• Limiting canned food consumption.
• Avoiding highly processed foods and plastic-containing tea bags.
• Opting for a wood or bamboo cutting board instead of a plastic cutting board that can introduce microplastics to your food.
• Supporting legislation to regulate plastic production and improve waste management.

Microplastics Statistics - FAQs

Here are answers to frequently asked questions about microplastics.

What percent of people have microplastics in their body?

Recently, scientists discovered microplastics in human blood: About 77% of the people who were tested were found to have microplastics in their bloodstream.

How much microplastic do we ingest?

We ingest enough microplastics to make a credit card each week, although this may vary by region and diet.

Are microplastics a threat to children?

One study found that there were more microplastics in the feces of babies than adults. The tiniest pieces can cross cell membranes and enter the circulation. In cells and laboratory animals, microplastic exposure can cause cell death, inflammation and metabolic disorders.

How many people have died from microplastics?

While research into the health effects of microplastics is too new to determine the number of deaths that can be attributed to this form of plastic waste, research shows 400,000 to 1 million people die annually from plastic pollution. This includes chemical exposure to waterborne diseases and fumes from burning plastic.

Are microplastics in tap water?

Microplastics have been found in 83% of tap water worldwide. In the U.S., 94.4% of tap water samples revealed the presence of plastic fibers, the highest rate in the world. U.S. samples had an average of 4.8 microfibers per 500 ml.

Here is the percentage of tap water samples containing plastic fibers in other countries and regions:

• Lebanon: 93.8% (4.5 fibers per 500 ml)
• India: 82.4% (4.0 fibers per 500 ml)
• Uganda: 80.8% (2.2 fibers per 500 ml)
• Ecuador: 79.2% (2.2 fibers per 500 ml)
• Indonesia: 76.2% (1.9 fibers per 500 ml)
• Europe: 72.2 (1.9 fibers per 500 ml)

An effective water filter can help reduce exposure to microplastics in tap water.

Are most water filtration systems effective at removing microplastics?

Current water filtration systems vary in their effectiveness at removing microplastics. While some advanced filtration technologies can significantly reduce the presence of these tiny particles, others may not be as efficient. 

Advanced technologies like reverse osmosis (RO) and ceramic filters are among the most effective. RO systems can filter out particles as small as 0.0001 microns​. Ceramic filters, with pore sizes around 0.2 microns, also perform well in capturing microplastics, bacteria, and other contaminants​. However, less advanced methods may only filter out the largest microplastics.

At Bevi, we believe you should trust that your water is good for you—so we put the work into figuring out a state-of-the-art filtration system. It is equipped to use a 3M carbon filter that is certified to remove 99.99% of microplastics from tap water, along with 99.9% of bacteria, chlorine, cysts, and other sediment.

How much plastic waste do Bevi machines save?

Bevi customers have saved over 500 million bottles to-date. When you use a Bevi machine, you’re saving more than a plastic bottle—you’re shutting off the oil needed to create it and keeping the air free from emissions that come from shipping it.

On average, a Bevi bottleless water cooler and bottle filling station saves thousands and thousands of bottles and cans annually. A real-time counter on your machine shows the single-use plastic bottles, cans, and CO2 emissions your team is helping to eliminate. Learn more about our mission to reduce plastic waste here.

How can Bevi machines be integrated into different business environments?

No matter your business environment, Bevi delivers. Whether you need a business water dispenser and cooler, water cooler for retail stores, hotel water dispenser, gym water dispenser, airport water dispenser, cafeteria water cooler, warehouse water cooler and dispenser, hospital water dispenser, car dealership water dispenser, or a water cooler rental for a special event, Bevi’s sleek designs fit seamlessly into any space. From compact countertop models to premium freestanding units, there’s a hydration solution for every business layout.

The bottom line: Reducing microplastics starts with us

Microplastics have infiltrated every corner of our environment—from the water we drink to the food we eat and even the air we breathe. Their presence in the human body raises alarming health concerns, while their impact on ecosystems threatens biodiversity and food security.

While governments and industries must play a role in addressing plastic pollution, individual choices matter too. Simple steps like switching to filtered tap water, reducing single-use plastics, and supporting sustainable brands can significantly cut microplastic exposure and waste.

How Bevi fights against microplastics

At Bevi, we’re on a mission to reduce plastic waste and microplastic exposure by delivering clean, great-tasting water—without the need for single-use bottles or cans. Every refill from our smart, sustainable office water coolers helps create a healthier planet and a future with less plastic pollution.

Our advanced filtration technology ensures the purest drinking water for offices, businesses, gyms, hotels, conventions, and other commercial spaces.

With industry-leading filtration, Bevi:

• Removes 99.99% of microplastics and 99.9% of impurities like bacteria and chlorine.
• Filters down to 0.2 microns, surpassing traditional consumer filters.

Join us in making a difference. Small changes—like refilling instead of replacing—can lead to a cleaner, safer tomorrow.

>> Learn more about Bevi’s mission.

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