LifeStraw Presents Additional Lead Filtration Technologies at Outdoor Retailer Summer Market Arriving at Retail Fall 2018

July 18, 2018

Highlights Include: Flex Gravity, versatile filter with gravity bag, and Play, two-stage kids’ filter bottle

LAUSANNE (July 18, 2018) – LifeStraw®, a global leader in developing innovative filtration and purification products for safe drinking water, is showcasing its enhanced line of products for fall 2018 that filter microplastics, bacteria, chemicals and, now, lead. LifeStraw Play is a two-stage kids’ filter bottle and Flex Gravity is a powerful, versatile filter with gravity bag. In addition to these proprietary technologies, LifeStraw is embracing a more robust sustainability platform for product design and global business operations outlined its 2018 responsibility report. As a part of these commitments, products will be on display in LifeStraw’s new booth (#51069-UL) using post-consumer recycled counters, flooring, panels and LED lighting at Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2018 in Denver, July 23 – 26.

Play ($39.95) and Flex Gravity ($54.95) feature LifeStraw’s two-stage filtration system that removes 99.999% of microplastics, meets NSF-53 (National Sanitation Foundation) standards for lead reduction, filters out 99.999999% of bacteria and 99.999% of parasites and reduces bad taste and odors. LifeStraw Play, available in five vibrant colors, is the first water bottle with a filter designed for kids. The 10 oz. bottle incorporates two-stage filtration and is ideal for use at home, at school, while traveling or playing outdoors. Play comes with customizable lid discs and a leak-proof design. The versatile Flex Gravity is an advanced water filter designed for fast, efficient filtration for groups while hiking, camping and those affected by natural disasters. The gravity bag holds contaminated water while the Flex filter uses a hollow fiber membrane and carbon capsule to remove bacteria, protozoa, microplastics, chemicals and lead.

“Our expanded product line enables everyone – from school children, to parents, outdoor enthusiasts, and travelers – to safely hydrate from a tap or natural water source,” said Alison Hill, managing director of LifeStraw. “The human health threat posed by microplastics and lead in key sources of drinking water continues to challenge consumers to hydrate safely. With harmful contaminants present in nearly all drinking water, single-use plastic bottles are no longer the answer, especially as they contribute to environmental pollution.”

In March, on the heels of recent studies by Orb Media that reported 93% of bottled water and 83% of tap water is contaminated with microplastics, LifeStraw’s two-stage filtration technology achieved 99.999% removal of microplastics in LifeStraw’s independent lab testing. 

“This important research highlights our unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability and improving access to safe water for everyone touched by our products,” continued Hill. “For 2018, we are putting our money where our mouth is. Not only are we reducing the size of packaging, but we are also decreasing the use of plastics in our supply chain, ensuring product recyclability. Additionally, we are researching the use of ocean plastics for use in future products.” 

According to the United Nations Environment Program, only 20% of single-use plastic bottles are recycled, while the remainder contributes to the 46,000 pieces of plastic floating in each square mile of earth’s oceans. The capacity of each LifeStraw filter is equal to 8,000 single-use plastic bottles. LifeStraw is actively working to partner with companies to advocate for the reduction of disposable plastic bottles worldwide.

In addition, at the show, the brand will debut three special edition LifeStraw Go bottles benefitting The Conservation Alliance and LifeStraw’s Safe Water Fund supporting communities affected by natural disasters. Special edition products will be available for sale at the LifeStraw booth at OR and then beginning in August 2018 for consumers online, on Amazon.com and at specialty retail stores.  

This past March, in Kenya, LifeStraw provided safe drinking water to its one millionth school child through its giveback program that is supported entirely by consumer purchases. The program provides a child in need with safe drinking water for an entire school year for every LifeStraw product purchased at retail, making it entirely self-sustaining. The program has reached 1,621 schools, where 10,677 purifiers have been installed and over 10,000 follow-up visits occurred. LifeStraw will implement its next service initiative in Mexico this October.

“The key difference in this program is that LifeStraw Community water purifiers are not simply delivered,” noted Hill. “Instead, we distribute products and invest in full-scale programs to drive long-term impact. The program includes full-time local staff, training, education programs and maintenance for a minimum of five years at each school.” 

Visit www.LifeStraw.com and follow LifeStraw on Instagram and Twitter.

About LifeStraw: LifeStraw focuses on innovation of technology that converts microbiologically contaminated water into safe drinking water with products that are designed to fit the needs of the people that use them. The first LifeStraw was the LifeStraw Guinea Worm Filter introduced in 1996, which has been instrumental in the near-eradication of Guinea worm disease. In 2005, the personal LifeStraw filter was introduced for use in developing countries, and the technology has since been time-tested in some of the harshest environments and humanitarian emergencies. Today, LifeStraw is used in 64 countries and includes filters and purifiers for households, clinics, schools, and for outdoor recreation, travel and everyday personal use. LifeStraw is sold in North America in retail stores and online at www.lifestraw.com.