The Bon Aqua Water Bar from Coca-Cola Japan is now being tested at Universal Studios Japan and it's a bottle-free vending machine that's been implemented to reduce plastic waste. The beverage dispenser shares water that's cold or room temperature, as well as hot still water and strong or mild carbonated water.
Due to the nature of the drink dispenser, customers who bring their own bottles are supported and their drinking vessel of choice can be cleaned before they choose to refill it with water. Alternatively, the machine also dispenses reusable water bottles to further reduce waste where possible.
While there's the possibility for Coca-Cola Japan to add more types of water to the machines, it is reportedly avoiding sweet drinks to avoid cross-contamination.
What's Driving This Trend
- Sustainable Beverage Dispensers
- Opportunity for companies to implement bottle-free beverage dispensers and reduce plastic waste, while supporting reusable containers.
- Customizable Drink Dispensers
- Potential for drink dispensers to offer various water temperatures and carbonation levels, as well as support for customers' personal water bottles.
- Smart Vending Machines
- Opportunity for vending machines to not only dispense drinks, but also clean personal water bottles and offer reusable bottles to further reduce waste.
Who This Affects Most
- Beverage Industry
- Companies in the beverage industry can innovate by implementing sustainable beverage dispensers and offering customizable drinks to promote sustainability and reduce waste.
- Vending Machine Industry
- Opportunities for vending machine companies to create smart machines that not only dispense drinks but also clean personal water bottles and reduce plastic waste.
- Sustainable Packaging Industry
- The availability of bottle-free and reusable beverage dispensers could lead to an increased demand for sustainable packaging options for bottled beverages and other consumer goods.
