Sustainability at the Core of Our Business

At Infilstruc, we believe that providing premium water delivery services shouldn't come at the expense of our planet. Environmental responsibility is not just a marketing slogan for us—it's a fundamental principle that guides every aspect of our operations.

In this article, we'll share the comprehensive sustainability initiatives we've implemented throughout our business, from water sourcing to delivery and recycling. We're proud of our ongoing efforts to minimize our environmental footprint while providing the highest quality water delivery service across Canada.

The Environmental Challenge of Water Delivery

Before diving into our specific practices, it's important to acknowledge the environmental challenges inherent in the bottled water industry:

Plastic Waste

Single-use plastic bottles contribute significantly to global waste. According to Environmental Defence Canada, less than 10% of plastic in Canada is recycled, with much of the remainder ending up in landfills or the environment.

Carbon Emissions

The transportation of water from source to customer creates carbon emissions, particularly in a country as vast as Canada.

Water Conservation

Responsible water extraction is critical to protect local ecosystems and ensure sustainable water supplies for future generations.

At Infilstruc, we've developed comprehensive strategies to address each of these challenges, turning potential environmental concerns into opportunities for innovation and leadership.

Our Sustainable Practices

1. Reusable Bottle Program

The cornerstone of our sustainability efforts is our reusable bottle program:

  • We use durable, high-quality bottles designed for multiple reuses
  • Each 18.9L bottle can be reused up to 50 times before recycling
  • Our bottle sanitization process uses eco-friendly cleaning agents and water-efficient technologies
  • End-of-life bottles are 100% recycled into new products

By choosing our reusable bottle program rather than single-use bottles, each Infilstruc customer helps prevent hundreds of plastic bottles from entering the waste stream annually.

2. Sustainable Water Sourcing

Responsible water extraction is vital to our environmental commitment:

  • We conduct comprehensive hydrogeological assessments to ensure our extraction rates are well below natural replenishment levels
  • Regular monitoring of aquifer levels and environmental indicators helps us maintain water source health
  • We maintain buffer zones around water sources to protect the surrounding ecosystem
  • We work with local conservation authorities to support watershed protection initiatives

3. Low-Emission Delivery Fleet

Our delivery operations are being transformed to reduce carbon emissions:

  • We've begun transitioning our delivery fleet to hybrid and electric vehicles
  • Advanced route optimization software minimizes travel distances and fuel consumption
  • Regular maintenance ensures all vehicles operate at peak efficiency
  • Driver training includes eco-driving techniques to further reduce fuel consumption
  • We offer consolidated delivery schedules to minimize trips

4. Energy-Efficient Facilities

Our bottling facilities and offices incorporate numerous energy-saving features:

  • Solar panels provide a portion of our energy needs at select facilities
  • Energy-efficient LED lighting throughout all locations
  • Advanced insulation and energy management systems reduce heating and cooling requirements
  • Heat recovery systems capture and reuse thermal energy from production processes
  • Water-efficient equipment minimizes waste in our bottling operations

5. Sustainable Packaging

Beyond our reusable bottles, we've improved the sustainability of all our packaging materials:

  • Recycled and recyclable cardboard for shipping boxes and dividers
  • Plant-based, biodegradable shrink wrap when packaging is required
  • Water dispenser parts are designed for durability and eventual recyclability
  • Printed materials use recycled paper and vegetable-based inks

Measuring Our Impact

We believe in accountability and transparency when it comes to our environmental initiatives. That's why we track key sustainability metrics and work to improve them year over year:

Water Usage Ratio

We measure the total water used in our operations (including cleaning and processing) compared to the water we deliver to customers. Our current ratio is 1.2:1, well below the industry average, and we're working to reduce it further.

Carbon Footprint

We conduct annual carbon footprint assessments of our entire operation, from water extraction to delivery. Since 2020, we've reduced our per-bottle carbon emissions by 18% and have set a target of a further 25% reduction by 2025.

Bottle Reuse Rate

We track how many times each bottle is reused before being recycled. Our current average is 42 cycles per bottle, and we're implementing improvements to extend this even further.

Waste Diversion

In 2022, we achieved a 94% waste diversion rate across all our facilities, meaning that 94% of our operational waste was recycled, reused, or composted rather than sent to landfill.

Customer Partnerships for Sustainability

We believe that environmental responsibility is a shared commitment between our company and our customers. We offer several ways for customers to participate in our sustainability efforts:

Bottle Return Program

We make it easy for customers to return empty bottles for reuse, with convenient pickup during regular deliveries. Each returned bottle earns customers eco-points that can be redeemed for discounts or donated to environmental causes.

Dispenser Maintenance and Upgrades

Regular maintenance extends the life of water dispensers, and we offer energy-efficient upgrades when replacement is necessary. Older models are refurbished or properly recycled through certified electronics recycling partners.

Eco-Friendly Delivery Options

Customers can opt for consolidated monthly deliveries rather than more frequent smaller deliveries, reducing the carbon footprint associated with their water service.

Digital Communications

We encourage paperless billing and communication, and our customer portal makes it easy to manage accounts without paper waste.

Community Environmental Initiatives

Our commitment to sustainability extends beyond our own operations to the communities we serve:

Watershed Protection

We partner with local conservation authorities to support watershed protection initiatives, including tree planting, habitat restoration, and water quality monitoring programs.

Environmental Education

We provide educational resources on water conservation and sustainability for schools and community groups, including facility tours that highlight our environmental practices.

Beach and Shoreline Cleanups

Our team regularly participates in cleanup events around Canada's lakes and coastlines, helping to prevent plastic pollution in our waterways.

Carbon Offset Program

For emissions we cannot yet eliminate, we invest in certified carbon offset projects, with a focus on Canadian forest conservation and renewable energy initiatives.

Looking to the Future

While we're proud of our current sustainability initiatives, we recognize that environmental stewardship is a journey of continuous improvement. Our sustainability roadmap includes several ambitious goals for the coming years:

Carbon Neutrality

We aim to achieve carbon neutrality in our operations by 2030, through a combination of emissions reductions and carefully selected offset projects.

Zero Waste Facilities

We're working toward zero waste certification for all our bottling facilities, with an interim goal of 98% waste diversion by 2025.

Fully Electric Fleet

As electric vehicle technology continues to advance, we plan to transition to a 100% electric delivery fleet by 2035.

Water Stewardship

We're developing more comprehensive water stewardship plans for each of our source watersheds, involving local communities and conservation experts in collaborative protection efforts.

Innovative Packaging Solutions

We continue to research and implement more sustainable packaging options, including plant-based materials and advanced recycling technologies.

Conclusion

At Infilstruc, we believe that providing premium water delivery and being environmentally responsible are not mutually exclusive goals. Through our comprehensive sustainability practices, from water sourcing to delivery and recycling, we're demonstrating that it's possible to offer exceptional service while minimizing environmental impact.

When you choose Infilstruc for your water delivery needs, you're not just getting pure, refreshing water—you're partnering with a company that takes its environmental responsibilities seriously. Together, we can enjoy the convenience of premium water delivery while knowing we're making choices that help protect Canada's natural resources for future generations.

We invite you to learn more about our sustainability initiatives and to provide feedback on how we can continue to improve. Environmental stewardship is a collaborative effort, and we value the insights and participation of our customers in this important work.