You may have seen this year, we are doing ‘team trials’. This is to make sure we can 100% recommend the merch items and clothing that we sell and can be completely confident that we can supply promotional merchandise that people actually want or need. This month, I happily volunteered to test out the Dopper bottle. Whilst some may say its not as well known as the Stanley quencher that Jess tried, or the Ocean bottle that Lisa tested, this bottle is definitely one to be shouted about and especially if you’re looking for a sustainable promotional gift. As my title says, the Dopper bottle claims to be the most sustainable reusable water bottle and the company’s main mission is to put an end to packaged water, and to do it sustainably.

They say you should write about what you know….and if you read my previous blog you will know I am a little bit obsessed with rowing 😂. An insulated bottle therefore is right up my street! I regularly train in both the summer and winter, so I couldn’t be without an insulated bottle. Nobody wants to be drinking warm water in the summer – whether they are out doing sports or not. I have taken my bottle on a little road trip recently; the first big gig race of the season, the 3 Rivers race in Plymouth on the River Tamar. With its 580ml capacity, the Dopper is perfect to keep me hydrated pre and post race, and with this capacity I only needed to refill once – and out of a tap!

that’s me in the middle of the gig along with the rest of the poole gig team!

Anyone that knows me personally will also know I do like a glass of wine – and one of the things that attracted me to this bottle was the fact it has a separate cup….and it looks like a mini wine glass! Although im sure its not intended for this, I am super confident I can take my wine in the bottle and it would stay as cold as it was straight from the fridge. If I closed my eyes I could imagine I was on some luxury yacht in the Mediterranean sea with a glass of Sauvignon….right?!

Talking of which, my latest roadtrip took me to Malaga for a girls trip (but the less said about that the better 😉) Being Dorset based, we flew from Bournemouth airport, and I took my bottle through empty and then refilled after security (after a beer in the pub of course!) but, already I was saving plastic. Normally I would always buy a bottle of water for the plane, but refilling there from the machine meant I had chilled water…and it stayed chilled all evening and night till I refilled in Spain the next morning. When the sun finally made its appearance, we spent the daytime down the beach and of course the bottle came with me. Confident my water will stay chilled all day despite being in full sun for hours was something I didn’t need to worry about. Not there was much to worry about sunning myself on a beach with a cocktail in hand!

the dopper bottle enjoying some sunshine on my trip to malaga

Less of the dreaming – back to reality… and the reality is, this bottle is making waves. Founded in 2010, the founder was sick of seeing plastic bottles polluting the sea, so the first bottle was born. Since then, Dopper has continued to create more solutions to end packaged water and get people to drink tap water. They have created a community to try and change the whole system. They get people to bring and refill their reusable bottle, urge companies to provide and promote tap water and lobby governments to make tap water safe and accessible for all.

So big claims for a small company…

They have done research that every bottle saves the equivalent of 104 single-use plastic bottles each year.

Just like 4Couture, Dopper is a certified B Corp. Being a B Corp means we follow social, environmental and governance best practices. We both strive to continuously improve our sustainability standards and always aim to do what is right for our people and the planet.

They are Cradle to Cradle Certififed. This is the biggy and means that they follow the strictest sustainability requirements according to the world’s most advanced science-based measures. As of 2023, the Dopper Original became the first and only reusable bottle collection to achieve Cradle to Cradle Certified® Gold: making it the most sustainable reusable water bottle.

They are also a certified Carbon Neutral company. Dopper has striven to minimize carbon emissions and offset what is left and as their business expands, so do their ambitions and that is why Dopper is on a mission to achieve NetZero by 2030. This means they are not just balancing CO2 emissions; they are tackling all greenhouse gases across their operations.

So we know the mission, but what makes the bottle so good?

Not a conventional design for a water bottle, but with its distinctive shape, once you notice them, you wont miss them. Available in different sizes and colours, there is a bottle to suit everyone. They are a three part design which not only means its easy to fill and clean – by hand or in the dishwasher, but it means you can either remove just the spout to drink more like a conventional bottle or you can remove the cup – which is great for refilling or of course to actually use as a cup. Perfect for cups of tea/coffee…or indeed wine 😊

I went for the insulated 580ml in green lagoon, but there are 10 colours to choose from, some of my favourites being the pebble peach and gentle grey. The bottle also comes in a smaller 350ml (8 colours available) and a 1 litre capacity (2 colours available). Not to mention the super sleek ‘blazing black’ version which is all black, available in all sizes and looks a bit sexy in my opinion 🔥

For a more budget friendly bottle, they do the ‘original’. Made from 70% plant based waste, and 15% recycled plastic waste; this bottle has zero carbon footprint. Not only that, It is manufactured using a closed water loop which ensures zero water waste, and wind energy to power the factories. And if you use this bottle to the end of its life…its 100% recyclable. Available in one 450ml capacity, but in 14 different colours – ask us. Perhaps it will be your company colours…?

dopper - perfect for company promotional merchandise and in a rainbow of colours!

The other options are an insulated glass bottle if that is more your thing. With the same sleek design but the bottom is made from glass and available in the same 450ml capacity.

Lastly they have the dopper ‘Steel’ range. This comes in 4 capcities; 350ml, 490ml, 800ml and 1.1L. Perfect for so many uses and available in up to 3 colours – silver, copper or gold (490ml and 800ml only). This bottle is insulated too, so the same great features – it will keep your drinks cold for 24hours and hot for 9 hours. Not only that, they are manufactured responsibly and transported using biofuels thanks to a partnership with GoodShipping. You can purchase these bottles safe in the knowledge that these items are the most eco friendly bottles on the market.

Which reminds me, each bottle is fully customisable. You can brand these bottles in either a 1 colour print or a full digital wrap print to the white (or black) ‘cup’ part of the bottle. Each bottle is shipped in plastic-free clamshell packaging which is made from 100% recycled and recyclable material and comes with a label wrap with its eco credentials listed on it. Your gift recipients will be able to look up the whole story for themselves about Dopper through the label info and a handy QR code on the inside. Not only will they be able to join the community movement, they will know how seriously your company take your merchandise, and that you’re not adding to the worlds throwaway mentality.

4couture studio - proud partners of the dopper bottles

At 4Couture we prioritise partnering with brands whose mission and values align with our own and Dopper is a brand that does just this. If you are looking for corporate gifts or branded promotional merchandise, drop us a message on hello@4couture.com or give us a call on 0300 660 0040 and we will be more than happy to help. We do far more than bottles, but this is a great place to start if you’re striving to be a more conscientious company in terms of your footprint.

The original plan was to continue my testing trial and putting the bottle through its paces but….

UPDATE!!!! Since writing this blog, absolute disaster struck - I’ve taken up coastal and river rowing and I tried a small boat for the first time this week and ended up capsizing and losing my bottle and sunglasses to the bottom of Christchurch River Stour 😲😂

So although my photo below is all smiles, I am absolutely gutted to have lost my Dopper. I have another on order obviously, but this time hoping a pink bottle will serve me better. We have nicknamed the whole adventure ‘The disappearing Dopper! ‘

So if you’re really desperate to get your hands on one of these….out the front of the sailing club in the main channel of Christchurch River, you will find yourself a lovely teal bottle somewhere on the river bed. If you find it, give me a shout 😂