Nestlé Water Replacing Larger Plastic Jugs Containing BPA

Continuing yesterday’s theme, another company shifting away from packaging containing Bisphenol A (BPA) is Nestlé Waters North America.

BPA has traditionally been found in the company’s three- and five-gallon plastic jugs (marked with a “7” in the recycling logo) that are popular in offices and homes. All smaller plastic bottles (marked with a “1” or “2”) are free of BPA.

Citing the public outcry over BPA, Nestlé is slowly replacing the old #7 containers with newer #1 jugs (made from a different type of plastic) in all of its regional brands, which include Poland Spring in the Northeast, Zephyrhills in Florida and Arrowhead in the West. The process will take two years and will be completed by June 2012.

However, #7 bottles are still being delivered; Nestlé does not share any information about the change on its website. Customers are left to their own devices to find out.

I learned about the swapping program from one of my clients, who, after realizing her unopened five-gallon bottles were #7 plastic, called Poland Spring to cancel her service. Immediately, she was told that #1 bottles would be promptly delivered to her home to replace the old containers.

For those customers not in the know, the type of bottle one gets depends on chance and the inventory of local distributing branches. Customers requesting the newer bottles receive them if they are available.

Replacing the bottles must be costing Nestlé a fortune and demand can’t outpace supply, but the current roll-out process doesn’t seem completely forthcoming and judicious.

What do you think?