Boxed Water is Better
Boxed Water is Better is a privately held U.S. company founded in 2009 that sells purified water in 92% plant-based cartons as a sustainable alternative to plastic bottles, serving environmentally conscious consumers and B2B wholesale customers through D2C e-commerce, subscriptions, and a tree-planting mission.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2009
- HeadquartersHolland, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Boxed Water is Better does
Boxed Water is Better is a privately held U.S. water company founded in 2009 in Holland, Michigan, that sells purified water packaged in plant-based cartons as a sustainable alternative to single-use plastic water bottles. Its product portfolio spans four original unflavored sizes (250ml, 330ml, 500ml, 1L) and an expanding line of fruit-flavored variants (Mango, Cucumber, Blackberry, Watermelon, Grapefruit, Lemon, Pineapple) sold individually, in combination packs, in a Discovery Set, and a full 24-unit Variety Pack. The underlying technology consists of a multi-step purification process using reverse osmosis and UV filtration that removes PFAS, BPA, and heavy metals, packaged in 92% plant-based cartons certified through a mass balance calculation system that allocates renewable inputs across production output. The cartons are 100% recyclable, refillable, and BPA-free, and the company supports its environmental claims with a third-party Life Cycle Assessment conducted by Anthesis Group consistent with ISO 14040:2006 and ISO 14044:2006 standards.
The company operates a direct-to-consumer e-commerce model via a Shopify-powered storefront, complemented by a subscription delivery program powered by Recharge Payments offering 10% recurring discounts, free shipping, and flexible monthly/bi-monthly/quarterly cadences. A wholesale/B2B channel serves offices, restaurants, coffee shops, fitness centers, hotels, and event organizers with quantity-based pricing. Supporting revenue mechanics include branded merchandise (t-shirts, market bags, beanies, stickers, enamel pins, sweatshirts) and a tiered loyalty program (Better Rewards Club). Marketing relies heavily on organic social channels (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, TikTok), an email newsletter, content marketing via the company blog, and a #BetterPlanet social campaign tied to a tree-planting partnership with the National Forest Foundation, through which the company reports having planted over 1.5 million trees. The company has historically used event sponsorships as a distribution channel, notably delivering 300,000 cartons in 72 hours as the official sponsor of Lollapalooza and Austin City Limits in 2013.
Boxed Water is Better is a bootstrapped, founder-owned LLC with no disclosed institutional funding, operating with a lean team of 11-50 employees distributed across the United States and serving customers nationally. The management team includes founder Benjamin Gott and CMO Robert Koenen, supported by a Director of Marketing. Customer segments span environmentally conscious consumers, health-focused buyers seeking PFAS/BPA-free water, B2B wholesale customers pursuing corporate sustainability goals, and flavor-seeking consumers. The company claims to have been the first national brand to offer a sustainable alternative to plastic water bottles, positioning sustainability, plant-based packaging, and a lower validated carbon footprint relative to plastic and aluminum as its core competitive differentiators.
Boxed Water is Better firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Boxed Water is Better
- Legal name
- Boxed Water Is Better LLC
- Website
- https://boxedwaterisbetter.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2009
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Boxed Water is Better is a privately held U.S. company founded in 2009 that sells purified water in 92% plant-based cartons as a sustainable alternative to plastic bottles, serving environmentally conscious consumers and B2B wholesale customers through D2C e-commerce, subscriptions, and a tree-planting mission.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Boxed Water is Better industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Bottled Water
- NAICS
- Bottled Water Manufacturing (312112)
- SIC
- Bottled & Canned Soft Drinks & Carbonated Waters (2086)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Flavored/Enhanced Bottled Water Production (Essenced, Vitamin, Electrolyte) (AFAFACAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Liquid Cartons & Aseptic Packaging (Gable-Top, Tetra-Style) (IMALACAG), Carton Packaging Operations (Gable-Top, Aseptic Cartons) (AFAFAJAH)
Keywords
Where Boxed Water is Better is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Holland
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Boxed Water is Better business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Direct Product Sales: Boxed Water sells water products in various sizes (250ml, 330ml, 500ml, 1L) and flavors (original and fruit flavors) directly to consumers through their e-commerce storefront. Products are sold in packs (12 or 24 count) at price points ranging from $29.95 to $55.95.
- Subscription / Recurring Orders: Boxed Water offers subscription orders with 10% discount, free shipping, and access to subscriber-only perks including bonus gifts. Customers can choose monthly or quarterly delivery schedules. Subscribers earn 100 points for making 4 subscription purchases.
- Wholesale / B2B Sales: Boxed Water offers wholesale pricing for businesses including offices, restaurants, coffee shops, fitness centers, and event planners. They provide quantity discounts and free shipping on orders over $75 for wholesale members.
- Merchandise: Boxed Water sells branded merchandise including t-shirts ($20), market bags ($15), crewneck sweatshirts ($50), beanies ($30), stickers, and enamel pins, generating additional revenue from their customer base.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Monthly | 250ml Original Water - 24 Pack at $29.95 |
| Unit Pricing | Monthly | 500ml Original Water - 24 Pack at $49.95 |
| Unit Pricing | Monthly | 330ml Original Water - 24 Pack at $39.95 |
| Unit Pricing | Monthly | 1L Original Water - 12 Pack at $41.95 |
| Unit Pricing | Monthly | Fruit Flavored Variety Pack - 24 pack at $55.95 |
| Unit Pricing | Monthly | Discovery Set at $29.95 |
| Unit Pricing | Monthly | Fruit Flavor Combos at $55.95 |
| Unit Pricing | Monthly | 500ml Fruit Flavors (single flavor) at $55.95 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Merchandise items |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels10 records
Boxed Water is Better product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Boxed Water is Better sells purified drinking water packaged in plant-based paper cartons as a sustainable alternative to plastic water bottles. The product line spans four unflavored carton sizes (250ml, 330ml, 500ml, 1L) plus a range of fruit-flavored variants, sold direct-to-consumer via their e-commerce store and subscription program, with a parallel wholesale channel serving businesses such as offices, restaurants, coffee shops, fitness centers, and event organizers.
Product overview
Boxed Water Is Better offers a portfolio of sustainably packaged water products centered on paper-based cartons as an alternative to plastic bottles. The core product line consists of four sizes of unflavored purified water (250ml, 330ml, 500ml, 1 Liter) with an expanded line of seven fruit-flavored variants (Mango, Cucumber, Blackberry, Watermelon, Grapefruit, Lemon, Pineapple) in 500ml and 250ml formats. The company also sells combination packs pairing two fruit flavors, a Discovery Set sampler, and a full Variety Pack containing all six fruit flavors. Beyond water products, the portfolio includes branded merchandise (t-shirts, market bags, beanies, stickers, pins, sweatshirts) and services such as a subscription delivery program offering 10% recurring discounts and a loyalty rewards club with tiered benefits. The company positions its environmental mission around 92% plant-based cartons, 1.5 million trees planted, and a lower carbon footprint versus plastic and aluminum validated through a third-party lifecycle assessment.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Original Purified Water Cartons 100% purified water packaged in 92% plant-based cartons, offered in 250ml, 330ml, 500ml, and 1L sizes, designed as a sustainable alternative to plastic water bottles for everyday hydration.
- Fruit-Flavored Water Cartons Purified water with natural fruit essences (Mango, Cucumber, Blackberry, Watermelon, Grapefruit, Lemon, Pineapple) packaged in plant-based cartons, offering zero sugar and no artificial ingredients.
- Variety and Combo Packs
Quantifiable outcome
- Lower carbon footprint than premium plastic bottles and aluminum cans (validated by LCA)
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Boxed Water is Better
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Boxed Water is Better technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration6 records
Feature3 records
Boxed Water is Better partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- National Forest FoundationcoreBoxed Water plants trees in partnership with the National Forest Foundation. They have planted over 1.5 million trees together in National Forests and urban centers in need of reforestation. The partnership supports their #BetterPlanet initiative where every social media post with #BetterPlanet results in 2 trees planted.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Boxed Water is Better competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- JUST Water: JUST Water is a plant-based carton water brand and the most direct competitor to Boxed Water Is Better, using similarly positioned aseptic cartons made from renewable materials and selling to sustainability-focused consumers through retail and DTC channels.
- Pathwater: Pathwater sells purified water in aluminum and box-style packaging as a sustainable alternative to plastic bottles, competing head-to-head with Boxed Water in the eco-conscious water category through similar brand positioning and B2B/B2C distribution.
- Open Water: Open Water packages still water and sparkling water in resealable aluminum cans as a plastic-free alternative, targeting health- and eco-conscious consumers in the same alternative-packaging water category as Boxed Water.
- Liquid Death: Liquid Death sells canned still and sparkling water with a heavy brand/metallica-style identity, competing in the alternative-packaging water segment and DTC-plus-retail channels that overlap with Boxed Water.
- Waiakea Hawaiian Volcanic Water: Waiakea sells premium Hawaiian volcanic water in recyclable bottles and aluminum cans with a sustainability mission and B2B distribution, mirroring Boxed Water's eco-positioned, premium-priced water play.
Broad incumbents
- Voss Water: Voss is a premium bottled water incumbent distributed nationally through retail and foodservice; it competes with Boxed Water in the same premium-and-design-led bottled-water retail shelf space, though it uses glass/PET rather than cartons.
- FIJI Water: FIJI Water is a large established premium bottled water brand with national retail distribution and a premium positioning that competes for the same consumer willingness-to-pay as Boxed Water.
- S'well: S'well is a premium reusable hydration brand (bottles, tumblers) targeting eco-conscious consumers; the brand competes for the same sustainability-minded hydration dollars and shelf/share-of-mind that Boxed Water pursues.
- Brita: Brita is the dominant consumer water-filtration brand (pitchers, bottles, filters), addressing the same customer pain point of clean, plastic-reducing drinking water via a different delivery mechanism (at-home filtration rather than packaged cartons).
Others
- SodaStream: SodaStream makes at-home sparkling water systems, addressing the same underlying demand for plastic-reducing, premium hydration with a hardware-and-consumables model that competes indirectly with packaged sustainable water brands.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Boxed Water is Better social profiles
Digital presenceBoxed Water is Better financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Boxed Water is Better leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Boxed Water is Better funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Boxed Water is Better M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Boxed Water is Better
What does Boxed Water is Better do?
Boxed Water is Better sells purified drinking water packaged in plant-based paper cartons as a sustainable alternative to plastic water bottles. The product line spans four unflavored carton sizes (250ml, 330ml, 500ml, 1L) plus a range of fruit-flavored variants, sold direct-to-consumer via their e-commerce store and subscription program, with a parallel wholesale channel serving businesses such as offices, restaurants, coffee shops, fitness centers, and event organizers.
Is Boxed Water is Better a public or private company?
Boxed Water is Better is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Boxed Water is Better founded?
Boxed Water is Better was founded in 2009. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Boxed Water is Better based?
Boxed Water is Better is headquartered in Holland, United States, in the North America region.
How does Boxed Water is Better make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Direct Product Sales are the primary driver. The others are subscription / Recurring Orders, wholesale / B2B Sales and merchandise.
Who are Boxed Water is Better's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are JUST Water, Pathwater, Open Water, Liquid Death and Waiakea Hawaiian Volcanic Water. Broad incumbents are Voss Water, FIJI Water, S'well and Brita. SodaStream is listed as an others.
Does Boxed Water is Better have an API?
No public API is recorded for Boxed Water is Better.
What industry is Boxed Water is Better in?
Boxed Water is Better's product category is Bottled Water. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAFACAF, Flavored/Enhanced Bottled Water Production (Essenced, Vitamin, Electrolyte), with a secondary code of IMALACAG, Liquid Cartons & Aseptic Packaging (Gable-Top, Tetra-Style). Its NAICS code is 312112 and its SIC code is 2086.