///EXPO SUSTAINABLE LUXURY

Join the Pipe is a 2 year old Dutch label.

1. What is your story behind your product? Jointhepipe.org is an internationally oriented foundation, making an honest effort to solve the water problem in the world. The main goal of jointhepipe is to bring water to all of those without water and to reduce the usage of disposable plastic water bottles. As part of this movement, Jointhepipe has designed a sustainable use water bottle, modeled off the shape of different segments of a water pipeline, intended to encourage and simplify the use of tap water drinking. JTP is actively working with proposals and plans to install specially designed JTP watertaps in public areas like parks and bus stops, so that with a JTP bottle you can easily fill up with water while you are out and about.

By drinking tap water from Jointhepipe.org water bottles or carafes, users can help us realize our dream: building the longest water pipeline in the world and providing everyone with clean drinking water. The donations collected through the sale of the jointhepipe.org water bottles and carafes will be used to support water projects such as the construction of water pipelines and water wells in developing countries. Jointhepipe offers members the possibility to see their donations at work through real-life updates such as photos and videos, a sort of Google under earth.

With a small change in the way we use drinking water, like choosing tap water in stead of bottled water. The money you save can be used to finance a water project in Africa or Asia; for one euro a day by the end of the year you can finance a water well in Bangladesh. The impact and negative consequences to the environment can be minimized or prevented. Just consider the CO2 emissions caused by the transportation and production of glass and plastics used to produce bottles and the plastic waste that ends up in the oceans. On top of this, The Netherlands has the best tap water in Europe, concluded by a tap water research project led and published by the European Commission. And, important to note, the requirements for tap water are stricter than those for bottled water, so it is often safer to drink tap water. Research also shows that The Netherlands has the best knowledge on tap water pureness and the maintenance of drinking water systems in all of Europe. Something to be proud of we’d say!

So, drink tap water from a jointhepipe water bottle because with every sip of jointhepipe water, you can help us realize our dream; building the longest water pipeline in the world.

2. What are your values of luxury? We consider it a luxury that in our part of the world we have clean and safe drinking water running from the tap and we are able to access this almost everywhere. Because of the high standards of our tap water, we think there is absolutely no reason not to drink it, rather there is no reason at all to drink bottled water instead. Since bottled water needs to be produced, packed, transported and finally dissolved or recycled when it ends up in the garbage, it is so much more environment-friendly to drink the water that comes straight out of the tap. With our design bottles and carafes we have aimed to create products that are beautiful and fashionable and look like a luxury item themself, so that you would want to be seen with it. By using the Jointhepipe.org bottles and carafes not only are you able you drink tap water in a fashionable way, you can also make a statement against bottled water. Furthermore, by supporting Jointhepipe.org you are helping us to provide everyone around the world with the same luxury of having access to clean and healthy drinking water.

3. Where do you find inspiration? Our inspiration has come from a water pipeline running under ground. Our bottles and carafes have the shape of parts of this pipeline and can in fact be attached together to build a line. The more people who Join the Pipe and buy a bottle, the longer the symbolic pipe line gets and the more people without access to drinking water we are able to reach. By bringing the underground pipe line above the ground, we are making a statement to remind everybody of the luxury of the running water we have access to every day.

4. How and why do you engage in aspects of sustainability in your design? (what kind of materials do you use and how do you produce?) Our carafes are made of ceramic and our bottles are made of Tritan BPA-free plastic. Both are build to last, so you would not have to buy new bottles every day or every week anymore. They are dishwasher-proof and easy to use, all to so you can re-use them as many times as possible. Re-using the Jointhepipe.org bottles and carafes makes that you never have to buy bottled water again. Through our bottles and carafes we are stimulating people to drink tap water, the most environment-friendly and sustainable drink in the world.

5. What does sustainability (luxury) mean for you as a designer? For our design, sustainability has been the key. The idea was to design products that would support the drinking of tap water and through this supporting a sustainable future without pet bottles of water. The bottles and carafes are built to last, while at the same time standing out through their luxury look.

6. What does sustainability (luxury) mean for you as a consumer? Sustainability should be in the list of first things to consider, when buying something. Consider how much it would cost not only you, but the whole world, when you buy a plastic bottle that has been produced, transported and will be thrown away by you soon. And then consider buying a durable bottle and tapping water, or serving tap water on the table, while helping all those without access to drinking water as well. With our Jointhepipe.org bottles and carafes, this choice should be easy!

7. What does sustainability (luxury) mean for you in general? Sustainability means a challenge to man-kind, but one that can be overcome if we all work together. It means being aware of what you do and buy and considering the influence it has on the world around you. As we all want this planet to stay with us, we owe it to ourselves! Sustainability forces us to think and to be creative, and sometimes to back to the roots ; like when going back from fashionable and expensive bottled water to appreciating the luxury drink running from the tap again. And feeling good, because it is healthy, tasty, good for the environment and saving lives at the same time!

8. What is your vision on the future concerning design and sustainability? We think both design and sustainability go hand in hand. Not only should designers take into account the sustainability of their products and materials, they are moreover able to make a statement with their items and to set trend towards more sustainability. Sustainability in return can pose new questions for greater creativity and innovation, ones that should be welcomed in the world of design. Together design and sustainability can create products that are both beautiful and mind-changing at the same time.