Plastic, single use water bottles. If you think about it, you see them almost everywhere you go. They’re stacked by the case in your friend’s garage. They’re handed to you during a break at the corporate retreat. They’re the “healthier” beverage option at a child’s birthday party. Plastic water bottles have become so ingrained in our status quo that we have become almost indifferent to their presence.
Despite rising awareness of its harm to the environment and personal health, Americans still buy about 50 billion water bottles every year.
Mark Pattison, founder of Buck Creek Distributing in Solon, is a problem solver. He’s also not one to accept the status quo. After learning about the epidemic of plastic pollution and its effect on our planet and personal health, Mark became determined to find a meaningful solution to single use water bottles. And so, in the heart of Solon, the idea of canning water in aluminum instead of bottling it in plastic was born.
As Mark explains, “We want to be at the forefront of moving away from plastics. We see 100% pure water in sustainable aluminum as the solution because it helps the environment and helps people.”
Sólás H2O Still Water is the remarkable result of that idea.
Sólás blends the integrity of a mission driven project with a crisp, refreshing taste. Sourced from a private deep well fed by the breathtaking Cascade Mountains, the water is 100% pure, thanks to reverse osmosis and ozonation. Unlike many plastic water bottles, Sólás is completely free of additives. It combines the company’s entrepreneurial expertise with their passion for making a difference. And like any refreshing summertime drink, it’s highly sought-after throughout the Corridor.
Now sold at Fareway and Hy-Vee stores, Sólás customers can enjoy water on the go while doing their part for the planet. As one of the few companies to offer an alternative to water in plastic bottles, Sólás H2O Still Water is ahead of the curve. Iowa is currently one of the top can recycling states in the nation, thanks to Bottle Bill incentivization and easy access for recycling cans.
But Sólás H2O Still Water is more than a refreshing drink that helps customers break up with harmful plastic. They say still waters run deep, and the Sólás mission certainly dives beneath the surface. These cans are not only about effective recycling and a refreshing taste, they also give back to our community.
Inspiration struck after the first quarter of an Iowa Hawkeye football game. The Sólás team watched as little hands waved from their Stead Children’s Hospital windows to the cheering crowds below. It was then that they knew they wanted to help the children, and their families, who need it most.
Since its inception, the company has partnered with Make-A-Wish Foundation of Iowa. 5% of gross profits are donated to grant wishes for kids in need.
Mark says it’s all about shared responsibility. “We realize that we all have to work together to save the environment. Along with that, we view giving back as a responsibility we all share.”
So next time you’re thirsty, part with the plastic past, look toward the future and seek the solution that breaks the status quo.
Dan Bensema helps build and capture business value to achieve the owner’s purposes. He can be reached at danb@realbusinessvalue.com or dan@svwealth.com.
