Thursday, September 3, 2009

CamelBak capitalizes on Sigg scare

It didn’t take long for Sigg competitors to jump on them after a report by SNEWS that said the company’s metal water bottles may contain BPA (Bisphenol A).

Many people assumed, including myself despite my unnerving concern, that the company’s trendy aluminum bottles were a solution to the Nalgene BPA scare not that long ago.

Sigg definitely deserves blame for the misleading marketing. Whether it was their choice to not disclose what was in the lining that coated its bottle’s interior, or the non-disclosure of potentially cancer-causing chemicals, they were at fault.

But this isn’t a “bash Sigg” post.

After all, the company did reportedly tell retailers, if they asked, that its bottles may contain BPA. Besides, the company is reportedly now producing BPA-free bottles as of August 2008.

CamelBak stainless steel insulated bottle

In response to the recent attention, CamelBak, a notorious hydration-related company, launched a “Steel of a Deal” program that offers a free CamelBak insulated stainless steel water bottle in exchange for customers who send in a picture of their aluminum water bottle that has a BPA liner.

“We’re obviously taking a light-hearted approach to a serious issue,” Sally McCoy, CamelBak’s chief executive officer said in a statement. “Our broader mission is to make disposable plastic water bottles obsolete. Using a BPA-free plastic or stainless steel reusable water bottle is one of the easiest ways to do something good for the environment and for your own personal hydration and health.”

The program, which was launched today, will give a stainless steel bottle to the first 500 people who send photos. For the company’s size, that’s not extending the offer to too many people, so hurry!

All you have to do is e-mail a picture of how you recycle your aluminum bottle to promotions@camelbak.com.

Because CamelBak’s stainless steel bottle doesn’t require an epoxy liner, your cancer-concerns can dwindle.

sigg-liner-comparison1

Before all the hubbub did you have anything to worry about? Probably not. Sigg bottles regularly tested negative for BPA.

However, if you want a replacement Sigg (they are pretty cool looking), the company has an exchange program available.

Find out which type of liner you have, download a shipping document, box up your bottle and ship it. You’ll have to pay shipping costs to get it there – the company states it’s a voluntary action, not a recall – but you’ll get a new bottle.

It’s a limited time offer though. You have to ship it before Oct. 31 to get a bottle in return.

Keep in mind, because Sigg regularly changes its designs, you may not get the same style bottle you sent in.

If you’re looking for more background on the Sigg BPA ordeal, The Gear Junkie and TreeHugger both have great posts.

Posted by Ryan Dionne - Outdoors Guru at 20:50:16 | Permalink | No Comments »

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Consumers asked, they got it


photo courtesy Light My Fire

In response to consumer complaints over the material used in its spork, Sweden-based Light My Fire is rolling out a new utensil, the company recently announced.
It’s a company, like quite a few in the outdoors industry, that listens to its users.
The Eastman Tritan BPA-free material replaces the polycarbonate that was formerly used, and it will be available to consumers later this month.
According to Eastman, its Tritan material is more resistant to chemicals and higher temperatures, more durable and easier to mold than its polycarbonate predecessor. And it is said to crack less in dishwashers.
While it’s supposed to be lighter than its predecessor, the product weights remain the same as the previous versions – .3 ounces for the 7-inch, .6 ounces for the 8-inch and 1.1 ounces for the 10-inch.
In addition to the new material, the company is launching a titanium version of the original spork (the 7-inch one) that weighs .6 ounces.
The revamped material and titanium introduction goes to show that consumers can make a difference in the products we use.

Posted by Ryan Dionne - Outdoors Guru at 19:44:53 | Permalink | No Comments »