Vivreau is North America’s leading sustainable water solution, offering an array of products, including self-serve and high-volume water dispensers, customizable and reusable water bottles, and more.
Our mission is to help reduce plastic waste and ocean pollution and lower the carbon footprint associated with bottled water by reducing the production and transportation of single-use plastic bottles. At Vivreau, we help businesses become more eco-friendly and foster a healthier workplace environment by providing clean, safe, and environmentally friendly water solutions that cater to various commercial needs.
Tell us about yourself?
I am the Vice President of Technical Excellence at Vivreau. With over 15 years of experience at Vivreau since its launch in North America, I am deeply committed to the company’s mission and growth.
I come from a background in the food service industry and spent a number of years working in restaurants, which is when I was first exposed to the single-use plastic waste that occurs in the hospitality industry. Within my role at Vivreau, I work with both the research and development and quality departments, where I am devoted to solving issues and making systems better. I’m passionate about helping companies find sustainable solutions and eliminate plastic waste.
If you could go back in time a year or two, what piece of advice would you give yourself?
It’s okay to challenge the norm. Generally, I think people are resistant to change. Sometimes, it can be difficult to get even the people closest to you to agree to change. However, if you know the change will be positive, you need to find a way to convince others to join you.
What problem does your business solve?
Vivreau’s main objective is to eradicate single-use plastic waste and minimize the environmental impact of bottled water consumption. The core challenge lies in altering deep-seated consumer behaviour of relying on bottled water by offering a sustainable, viable, and equally convenient alternative that does not compromise on quality. Our dispensers offer a solution by tapping into existing water sources to instantly deliver high-quality, filtered water and help eliminate the dependency on plastic bottles.
What is the inspiration behind your business?
At the core of Vivreau’s philosophy is a deep-rooted commitment to sustainability. Many organizations across different sectors are working to meet their carbon goals and become more environmentally responsible. We help organizations and facilities eliminate plastic waste by offering a sustainable and cost-effective alternative.
Our environmental stewardship is demonstrated through ongoing partnerships, such as our collaboration with 4ocean. Through this partnership, Vivreau pledges to fund the removal of five pounds of ocean plastic for every dispenser we sell. We’re also currently running a ‘Double Your Impact’ campaign to further amplify our efforts, doubling the amount of plastic debris removed with each dispenser sold.
What is your magic sauce?
Vivreau’s commitment to sustainability, health, and wellness, coupled with its innovative solutions, has established it as a leader in the water solutions industry.
We’re known for our premium-quality still and sparkling water. Vivreau is all about simplicity, both in its design and makeup—it’s pure water, free of pollutants and contaminants, giving it an outstanding taste. Beyond that, we are driven by a vision to champion sustainability. Our comprehensive approach extends to offering a full suite of services, including on-site bottling, reusable glass bottles and dispensers, helping clients reduce single-use plastics and become more environmentally responsible.
What is the plan for the next 5 years? What do you want to achieve?
At Vivreau, we want to continue to be a catalyst for positive change by helping businesses make the switch from pre-bottled water to dispensers. We will continue to introduce new product innovations and service solutions that make it easier for people to join the sustainable hydration movement.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced so far?
The heightened expectations of hygiene and sanitization in public spaces post-pandemic drove technological innovation from our research and development team.
As a result, we’ve incorporated ThermalGate and HygienePlus™ technologies, built-in hygiene safeguards, into our latest products. At the water tap itself, a sneeze or touch of a hand can introduce germs. ThermalGate heats the tap head up to 125° Celsius to prevent retrograde from external sources, such as airborne droplets from sneezing or coughing.
How can people get involved?
People can visit our website, www.vivreauwater.com, to learn more.