NEO WTR, Europe’s first ethical spring water brand to use a 100 per cent Prevented Ocean Plastic bottle, has won Best Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Initiative at the Zenith Global Ltd Global Water Drinks Awards 2024. The industry's only Global Water Drinks Awards took place on Wednesday 29th October 2024 during Zenith Global's 21st Global Water Drinks Congress in Frankfurt, Germany. These prestigious awards celebrate excellence and innovation across every category of the water drinks industry worldwide.
NEO WTR was born out of a simple but powerful idea - to create a bottled water brand that doesn’t contribute to the plastic crisis but actively fights against it. In a world drowning in plastic waste, particularly from the soft drinks industry, NEO WTR’s mission is to transform the way we think about bottled water and packaging.
NEO WTR doesn’t just meet the minimum requirements; it exceeds them. While UK regulations mandate that plastic bottles contain only 30 per cent recycled plastic, NEO WTR uses 100 per cent Prevented Ocean Plastic, a ground-breaking material that supports people and the planet. Each 500ml NEO WTR bottle stops 1.7 plastic bottles from entering the ocean. Each sip helps reduce the harmful effects of ocean-bound plastic, turning discarded waste into a powerful tool for environmental change.
But the brand’s impact goes beyond recycling. NEO WTR’s mission is deeply rooted in a commitment to protect our planet’s most vulnerable coastlines while supporting communities in developing countries. Plastic pollution disproportionately affects these regions, with 80-90 per of ocean plastics originating from developing countries where recycling infrastructure is limited or non-existent. NEO WTR’s partnership with Prevented Ocean Plastic ensures that plastic waste is collected responsibly while providing economic opportunities and better working conditions for local waste collectors.
For Brookfield Drinks’ Managing Director, Nigel McNally, NEO WTR isn’t just about offering an alternative - it’s about leading a transformation. “We knew we couldn’t contribute to the plastic crisis, but we wanted to do more than that. We wanted to create a product that actively works to solve the problem,” says Nigel. “Consumers deserve a sustainable option when they need bottled water on the go, and NEO WTR gives them that option - without compromising on their values or the planet.”
At NEO WTR, we’re proud to say that every 500ml bottle makes a difference. We’ve taken the first step in creating a circular economy, and we’re excited to continue leading the charge for meaningful change in the bottled drinks industry. Together, we can protect what’s irreplaceable - our oceans, our environment, and the communities most affected by plastic pollution.
