Better, Not Perfect: Why Nilgiri Drops is Your First Step Away from PlasticBy The Nilgiri Drops Team

By The Nilgiri Drops Team | December 12, 2025

We believe in radical transparency. In a world of greenwashing, we want to tell you exactly where we stand, where the industry is going, and why your choice today matters.

You might have heard about the new "paper-based barrier" technology making headlines—cartons with no aluminum inside. It’s an incredible breakthrough, and it is the future we are all striving for.

Nilgiri Drops isn't there yet. But we are miles ahead of the plastic bottle you’re holding.

Here is why switching to Nilgiri Drops’ standard carton is the most powerful "first step" you can make for your health and the planet today.

The Reality Check: Plastic vs. Carton

Most water on the shelf still comes in PET plastic bottles. These bottles have a massive carbon footprint and often sit in the sun, leaching microplastics and chemicals.

Nilgiri Drops uses standard aseptic cartons (the kind you know and trust). While they do contain a thin layer of aluminum to keep the water fresh, the environmental difference is staggering:

70% Less Plastic: Our cartons are ~75% paperboard from renewable forests. By choosing us, you are instantly cutting your plastic consumption by more than half compared to a PET bottle.

3x Lower Carbon Footprint: Studies show that standard cartons produce roughly 77–103g of CO2 per liter, whereas plastic bottles produce nearly 350g. That’s a massive win for the climate with every sip.​

Healthier Hydration: Our cartons are BPA-free and protect your water from light and heat damage, meaning no weird "plastic taste" and no preservatives—just pure mountain water.

A refreshing standard Tetra Pak water carton for 'Nilgiri Drops'.

A refreshing standard Tetra Pak water carton for 'Nilgiri Drops' in a sunny outdoor setting

The Future We Are Building: The Paper-Based Revolution

We want you to know what’s coming next. The packaging industry (led by innovators like Tetra Pak) has just launched paper-based barrier technology—cartons that replace that thin aluminum layer with renewable fibers, reaching 92% plant-based content.

This is the "North Star" for Nilgiri Drops.

By supporting carton-based water today, you are building the demand and infrastructure that makes that future possible. You are voting with your wallet to say, "I want paper, not plastic."

Don't Wait for Perfect

Sustainability is a journey, not a switch you flip.

Step 1: Stop buying PET bottles.

Step 2: Switch to Nilgiri Drops (Standard Carton) – dramatically lower carbon, safer water, mostly renewable.

Step 3: Watch us grow toward the 100% paper-based future.

The "perfect" water bottle doesn't exist yet for everyone. But a much better one does.

Make the switch today. Sip responsibly.