Even before the first bottle rolled off of the assembly line, we knew: drinking tap water is always on trend. To make more people aware of this fact, we danced. Way back, on one of the first days of January 2010, we found over 400 people willing to put on their dancing shoes to participate in a flash mob. All to celebrate crystal clear water coming straight from the tap. This also kicked off a special design competition for the perfect reusable water bottle.
We’ve all seen those documentaries about the plastic soup. But instead of just feeling shocked and moving on, our founder Merijn Everaarts decided to take action. He wondered: why would you buy bottled water, when there’s excellent water coming straight from the tap?
In January 2010, Merijn launched a design competition for the perfect sustainable water bottle. Out of nearly 100 entries, the design you see here was chosen. Drawn by Delft University of Technology alumnus Rinke van Remortel. Did you notice that it is a bottle and cup in one? And when you turn the bottle upside down, it places water on a pedestal. Because, if you haven’t noticed. We love water. The winning design was announced on World Water Day.
Dopper launched on October 10th, 2010 – “Sustainability Day” in the Netherlands. From there, this ocean-saving water bottle has started its quest to spread the message to the rest of the world
The delicious nectar of the gods that our Doppers love so much, come straight from the tap. But there are places where drinking from the tap isn’t even an option. That’s why Dopper has always kick-started clean drinking water projects in Nepal.
Ever since the very first water bottle was sold, Dopper has been donating to the Simavi water projects in Nepal. We are part of the WASH programme. By installing water points and toilets, tens of thousands of Nepalese people now have better access to drinking water and sanitary facilities. We started in the southern district of Ruphendi, and in the Gorkha and Baglung districts. When we teamed up with local partner Sebac, we extended our projects to the Sindhupalchowk and Dolakha districts. We're just getting started!
This was taken on one of Dopper’s first visits to the beautiful Nepal.
Fast forward a couple years. In 2015 we entered calmer waters our hard work payed off: we received our B Corp certification! What does this mean?
That we are officially part of the group of changemakers that use business as a force for good. How do we do that? Well, for example, we are part of the GoodShipping Program, which means we are helping the industry to make 100% renewable fuels the new standard for oversea shipment. We offer our employees reusable bags when they go out to get lunch. And much more.
Something worth celebrating. So, that’s what we did. With Celebrate the Changemakers: an inspiring network event with international speakers. The perfect way to connect with other changemakers and save the world!
With your Dopper you empower others with our mission. And you prevent plastic pollution from entering our ceans. You are nothing but a hero! A better future is in your right hand. Or left.
When you have a mission - and are set to achieve that mission - you’re bound to make some enemies. But Dopper doesn’t do enemies. We like to make friends. We also like to party. Combine those two together and our collaboration with LollaPalooza in 2k16 shouldn’t come as a surprise. Our water bar on wheels made sure visitors stayed hydrated at all times. Since then our waterbike has visited many locations spreading the mission and celebrating water. Cheers!
In the past decade, more than 15.000 students joined the Changemakers Challenge Junior. And this year alone, 400 students participated in the Changemakers Challenge (now in four countries). That numbers make us happy.
Our global Changemaker campaign is spreading the message to stop plastic pollution and drink from the tap. And one by one, we are creating a movement of changemakers. Be a Changemaker too!
World Oceans Day 2018. A day to remember. Not just for us but also for residents and visitors of the Big Apple. Boy, were they in for a surprise! Instead of waking up to one Brooklyn Bridge, they woke up to two!
We launched our Plastic Bridge Project on Times Square. Made out of 5.000 single-use plastic water bottles, collected by locals from the streets of New York. For this project we collaborated with National Geographic and artists of all sorts; Burning Man artist Colin Hendee and artist Asher Jay to name a few.
Our Plastic Bridge symbolized crossing a bridge to a sustainable future, from bad habits (using single-use plastic bottles) to good habits (using a reusable one). It also kicked off an education tour in New York.
The plastic soup, a dark secret hidden far away. Untill 2018. Last year, we put the world’s first Oceanic Plasticarium on display in the Tropenmuseum in Amsterdam. This cube was filled with 3000 liters of said plastic soup, sampled from the Pacific Ocean.
It represented a section of the millions and millions just like it, floating in our plastic waste filled oceans. Its message? We’re part of this problem, let’s be part of the solution as well.
Making single-use plastic history, by making it a part of history.
At this years Dopper’s Seacret we raised our Glasses for crystal clear waters. Literally. Because together with our friends and partners we launched the Dopper Glass. A reflection of our vision and our promise. Getting us closer to a world with crystal clear waters, and where plastic pollution is a thing of the past.
So, raise your Glass (Dopper) for crystal clear waters. We're right there with you.
Until all water is clear as Glass.
Thank you. A decade of Dopper: it’s been a waterful ride. Here’s to the next 10 years of making impact. Our mission to prevent single-use plastic from entering our oceans has been crystal clear from the start. Do you know someone that should be introduced to the Dopper mission? (Think about that one friend that still buys single-use water bottles at the gas station or your mom who keeps bringing hers to her hot yoga class for example.)
Share your story with us! The most unique and fun stories (that's right, plural!) will win something special. This is how you enter:
1. Follow @Dopper_official
2. Share your story by commenting below or sending us a DM.
3. Tag the person you nominate to be our next ocean-saving-hero.
Let's celebrate together, because the more people partying, the bigger the impact. #passthedoppermission
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