Overcoming challenges with flexibility and a positive attitude
The provision of drinks and snacks to employees is one of the most enjoyed perks of the job, according to research on staff preferences. An office drinks station in particular, also ticks boxes on the sustainability checklist by reducing waste and recycling. If it saves money and time too then even better.
How did it all begin, why did you want to look at different options for office beverages?
“For environmental/waste management reasons, we were moving away from single-use plastic water bottles as a firm; in London we decided to explore taking things a step further, because while aluminium cans are highly and efficiently recyclable, aluminium production is very energy intensive – to say nothing of the carbon footprint associated with bauxite mining, and shipment of the finished product.”
How did you find us and what made you contact us?
“We mounted an internet-based search for firms in the sector and requested proposals to compare and evaluate product quality, service levels, and price.”
What were your main criteria for a drinks dispenser and how did Smart Soda fit with your requirements?
“Range and taste of drinks dispensed, ease of use, ease of maintenance, and vitally, compact form factor, to fit into our already-built pantries. Because of a lack of free under-the-counter space, to get the number of drinks to an appealing level, we went with a pair of LILLY dispensers on their own supply cabinets operating in tandem on each floor. A single unit would have been preferable (and presumably more energy-efficient), but the arrangement is satisfactory.”
How would you describe the service you received from Smart Soda and were there any special challenges that needed to be met?
“Good, in terms of product demonstration and sales process, and we appreciated the help with contracting the CO2 supplier.
Installation involved liaising with our contractors who had to make kitchen modifications to accommodate the equipment, which we managed, but we would advise potential clients to ‘spec in’ drinks machines in the initial construction phase wherever possible.”
What are your thoughts on the new beverage machines so far? What do you feel have been the biggest benefits?
“The drinks are proving popular, even among people who had strong views on brand before they tried them. The potential to introduce seasonal variation without too much difficulty is welcome, though we have yet to experiment here. Several staff have praised the environmental initiative, and aside from reducing container waste, there is probably less product waste, too, insofar as you are not tied to 330 ml increments and can pour exactly as much as you wish to drink. Cost savings per drink are clear, but of course, there is substantial construction and installation costs and lease overhead to overcome before we feel the true benefit of them.”
What would you suggest to others thinking about changing from cans and bottles to an office drinks station?
“Staff (particularly young staff) will appreciate the effort being made, though, the verdict being unequivocally in on single-use plastic and going that way for cans. It’s worth doing – and if it’s worth doing at all it is probably worth doing now.”
And finally, is there a favourite flavour?
“I think we have a close running tie between the Cola and Orange Crush flavours here.”
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More about Smart Soda
At Smart Soda we offer a healthier drinks option in the form of low sugar or sugar free, vitamin infused, alkaline water-based drinks, using only plant-based, natural Stevia sweetener where required.
We encourage the use of refillable bottles and cups over single use plastic cups. If you think your team could benefit from a more sustainable drinks solution for the workplace, get in touch.
