Take Your BPA-Tainted, Soulless SIGG Bottles Back To Major Retailers
...and they'll replace them for free.
Filed under: products — Michael d'Estries @ 11:13 am
September 3rd 2009
By now, you may have heard that SIGG has finally admitted that their bottles are not as “health-friendly” as was previously touted. The company recently dropped the bomb that bottles manufactured prior to August 2008 do in fact have liners containing bisphenol A — a chemical that may adversely affect human health. While the science is still out, the consensus is strong that you just shouldn’t bother risking it.
Simran Sethi wrote a great article for the Huffington Post yesterday decrying the company’s lack of transparency on the BPA-issue; saying that it breaks her heart to know she was duped. Sethi has appeared on Oprah, Martha Stewart, and other major television programs extolling the virtues of SIGG. “Had I known better, I would have used–and promoted–BPA-free alternatives from the onset,” she writes. “Steve Wasik (CEO of SIGG) tells me he still uses the old bottles with the BPA liner for himself and his family. I intend on following in the steps of fellow Huff Post blogger Nena Baker and reconsider a swig from my SIGG.”
The bottom line is this: If you do have a SIGG bottle manufactured before August 2008 and you’re concerned about BPA, bring the bottle back to any major retailer and they should exchange it for a new, BPA-free model. SIGG isn’t revealing this information on their website — instead asking you to pay to return the bottle to them for an exchange — but in her talk with the CEO, Simran discovered as much and confirmed it at several Whole Foods stores.
Let us know if take this route but it doesn’t work out. We’re curious to see what retailers are truly on board with the free returns.
he doesnt have to become a hard core 24-7 vegan, just a small effort...
I don’t usually wish for a company to fold, but they deserve it.
I bought a KOR water bottle after reading about it on here. Also own a Kleen Kanteen (heavy, but BPA free)
E
One option I have not heard from anyone that owns a Sigg bottle yet is to: Return the old version Sigg bottle and then donate the new version Sigg bottle to someone or an organization.
It (the old/replacement) is already paid for so why not put it to good use and support the company of your choice. Sigg is very likely going to reuse the bottles they receive to produce new bottles.
What about Kleen Kanteens? I have very recently heard they have the same BPA’s.
I hope Sigg goes under. Lying and cheating like every other company. I don’t know how anyone can ever trust them again. And, no, omitting an answer is not better than lying…it’s the same, as they had the knowledge.
@ Beau
Maybe Kleen has BPAs, but they can’t be the same, as Kleen doesn’t have a liner. They would have to be there for some other reason. Though, I have yet to see anything credible suggesting Kleen had BPAs.
@Jamie Lynn: If it makes you feel better. take the price of a bottle of water from the local store and multiply it by the amount of times a day you’d drink a full bottle from a nalgene. Now see how much you’ve saved over the years.
@Beau Broughton: The Klean Kanteen bottle part has no plastic in it. The lid is pp#5 and you can buy lids that are made of Surgical stainless steel (like the bottle) if the plastic lid worries you.
Thanks for the info asdasd….
I don’t use my Klean Kanteen often – I find it a pain unscrewing that cap all the time at the gym.
I went with the KOR bottle after I saw it on here and SO much easier (plus everyone loves it- and wants one- I went with blue)
But I do worry because it’s still plastic, but since it’s BPA free I suppose it’s at least better….
Sigg sucks..
E
I thought a warning has always been on the site. Also, They have tested them and said that there is no leeching. I think if you take proper care of them they should be ok, right?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/don-carr/sigg-should-apologize-off_b_276835.html
SIGG Should Apologize, Offer Refunds to Consumers
SIGG CEO Steve Wasik called earlier today to discuss Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) response to his recent announcement that SIGG water bottles did in fact contain the toxic chemical bisphenol A (BPA) in their liners until August 2008.
Wasik’s announcement has caused an uproar because the company led consumers and retailers to believe that its products were free of BPA. In doing so, SIGG capitalized and profited on consumers’ clear preference in recent years to avoid products made with the chemical.
Nothing Mr. Wasik said changed our view about SIGG’s discredited efforts to mislead consumers and retailers about its products.
We sent this letter today to the co-CEOs of The Riverside Company, the private equity firm that owns SIGG, asking for a public apology and a refund offer.
The Environmental Working Group
1436 U St NW
Washington, DC 20009
Stewart Kohl
Co-Chief Executive Officer
The Riverside Company
Terminal Tower
50 Public Square
29th Floor
Cleveland, Ohio 44113
September 4, 2009
Dear Mr. Kohl:
On behalf of the Environmental Working Group (EWG), I write to ask that you issue an unambiguous apology for misleading consumers and retailers about whether SIGG bottles contain the toxic chemical bisphenol-A (BPA).
I further urge you to modify SIGG Switzerland CEO Steve Wasik’s recent announcement of a SIGG voluntary bottle exchange program. Consumers should be able to take SIGG bottles that contain BPA to an authorized SIGG retailer and receive a refund for the full retail value of the product. The cost of the refund should be covered by SIGG.
The announced exchange policy, which forces customers to accept a replacement SIGG bottle, puts them in the untenable position of having to trust Mr. Wasik and his team about the composition and safety of the replacement product.
It is our view that SIGG’s reputation will be difficult to restore while Mr. Wasik remains at the helm of the company.
Sincerely,
Kenneth A. Cook
President
Environmental Working Group
thank you environmental working group. there should be a refund!
why should we trust and support a company that allowed millions of concerned parents to buy their product thinking it was safe for their children!
THEY KNEW THAT THE BOTTLES WERE PROMOTED HEAVILY AS A SAFE AND BPA-FREE ALTERNATIVE. DID THEY SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT? NO!
my family now has 2.5 years more of bpa exposure. i will not be replacing my own nor will i be supporting a company that puts profit over safety.
i went out and bought stainless steel, no liner.
Wow. I’ve been drinking from a Sigg bottle for quite awhile now. Scary to think what I’ve unknowingly put into my body. I ordered my Sigg on wwww.SHOP.com…it’s not going to be a problem returning it to a brick and mortar store since I bought it online, will it? I don’t want to pay to send mine back to Sigg.
Much of the attention given to the safety of plastics recently has been focused on BPA. That’s understandable. Research has shown that BPA produces endocrine-disrupting effects, specifically estrogenic activity (EA) that is linked to a number of adverse health effects, including aggressive behavior, birth defects, and reproductive harm.
And many consumers may believe that their BPA-free plastics are safe. But BPA is only one of hundreds of chemicals used in the manufacturing of plastics that contain EA, and removing one does not mean the plastic is really safe. In fact, PlastiPure’s scientific research has discovered that most plastic products test positive for EA, including many of the top “BPA-free” bottles. Even more surprising is that some of the tested “BPA-free” bottles had higher EA-content than standard polycarbonate plastic bottles that contain BPA.
Plastics are an important part of everyday life, are the best ecological solution, and should continue to be used in the products on which we all depend. Plastics just need to be made safe. Removing BPA is an important first step in removing endocrine disrupters from our plastics. But a truly healthy plastic product must be free of all EA-causing chemicals. And so far, PlastiPure is the only company producing 100 percent EA-Free™ plastic products to protect the health of our families.
If you own a SIGG Bottle you can call me and I will sell you an URBAN CANTEEN Bottle at a very competitive price and we can Recycle the SIGG bottle. My website is http://www.urbancanteen.com- 100% BPA free. I only sell the highest quality bottle made today.
THanks
Jeff
410-905-5051
Today, I contacted the brick-and-mortar store at which I bought my Sigg bottle ( Hillsound Equipment; Vancouver, BC, Canada; http://hillsound.ca/main/ ) by e-mail, regarding an in-store exchange. Their reply was simply:
Sigg Canada informed us to have all Sigg consumers who has any concerns with their previous Sigg bottles call 905-267-3812.
Here’s another option for trading in your old Sigg bottles for a 30% discount on a stainless steel bottle at an online store:
http://www.bigbottleswap.com/Home.html
Might be something to look into (before September 14, 2009).
@Gary Ploski
I think a number of people have suggested this (accepting the replacement, donating it). Several problems:
1. You are paying the shipping. Which is a small amount to be making a nice donation–but still something to consider in throwing “good money after bad.” And in forcing a company to make consumers whole after lying to them.
2. Some people aren’t sure they trust the new liner, either, given SIGG’s track record. And there are reports of the new liner flaking.
3. Participating in the exchange sends the message that you still support SIGG. Wasik has said that “response” to the exchange is positive. And donating new SIGGs promotes and spreads the brand.
4. Shipping something back (when you have proof of purchase and shouldn’t have to) in order to get something shipped to you that you don’t want in the first place is not the lowest-impact option. Lots of shipping for a product you don’t even want.
When you are ready to make the switch do it with an UNLINED EcoUsable Stainless Steel bottles. We have a unique 1/2 turn design to make it easy to open and offer 3 sizes in 304 grade stainless – 10 oz, 16 oz & 33 oz. For those who never want to buy a bottle of plastic bottled water again we have our one of a kind Stainless Filtered Water bottle that uses a 2 micron filter and is great for any tap water but also can be used to drink river water, lake water, stream water and pool water because it removes Giardia, E Coli and Cryptosporidium from your water.
Go to our website http://www.ecousable.com and put in the code JH13 and save 10% on all orders
Make The Switch!!!!
I’m really concerned. I was using my sigg bottles since 2007. About a year later I developed a lip problem and quickly realized that the blue bruise like issue was exactly in the area where I would place the sigg bottle when I drank from it. I saw my doctor. I stopped using the sigg bottle and bought a new kind of bottle and haven’t had a problem since. I have four siggs here that I bought from Whole Foods and I am returning them ASAP!
Check out the latest development in this situation:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/steve-wasik/sigg-ceo-im-sorry_b_278291.html
Thanks to all of us SIGG is turning around. And not a moment too soon!
Thanks for linking to my post, Michael, and to everyone for their great suggestions and commitment to healthy people and a healthy planet.
Simran Sethi
Like everyone else I feel let down by SIGG.
Rather than return my bottle to be replaced by SIGG, I’ve ’saved’ the postage and bought a Thermos stainless steel bottle, which keeps my drinks cool, with no chance of being mislead about safe linings.
I sent my bottles back. Still no word on how to exchange them
Sent the company two emails. No response. I paid for tracking too. Damn you Sigg !!!!!!!
Sent my daughters bottle back 2 months ago..no response from Sigg at all..called, emailed..nothing..I am REALLY mad..
I had the same problem. Sent my bottle (with tracking) on Sept. 11. Almost a month later (+2 emails) and still no contact from Sigg. I decided to exchange my bottle because, frankly, I wanted Sigg to pay for their dishonesty, but the way it’s looking is that they are going to get away with this. They have lost me as a customer; I am somewhat more willing to forgive one mistake, but definitely not two.
I purchased my Sigg in March 2009 after I learned how bad BPA really was for us and recently found out that the liner in it has BPA. I am certainly not impressed. I went to the store today where I bought it from and they gave me a piece of paper with a phone # on it to contact Sigg Canada, I called it and they gave me a website address to get more info from and telling me I have to pay to return it to them. The store (Lebaron Outdoor Products, Ottawa) would not exchange it for me as I was hoping. I think I too will boycott Sigg and take my business elsewhere.
I bought two Sigg bottles last year with the tainted liner and was able to swap them out at Wholefoods for new ones (did not need receipt). I will never buy another “Sick” bottle again however…
I sent in a SIGG water bottle to the company over a month ago after I heard about the exchange. I don’t live near a retail store, so sending it back to the company was the choice for me. I have yet to hear back from the company to exchange my water bottle. In essence, they have my water bottle I paid for and have not bothered to replace it like they promised. I’m wondering if anyone else has had trouble contacting the company to get them to keep their promise in exchanging the bottles. I know I will NEVER use SIGG again.
I returned 9 SIGG bottles in October and within 3 weeks received 4 back. I rang their customer service and within 3 days my other 5 new bottles were on their way.
SIGG is just another company caught up in the BPA scandal.
In Canada it has been banned in baby bottles for a while and most manufacturers of other types of bottles have now voluntarily removed it from their products too. But it is still being used in the linings of canned goods, even canned baby formula, it was/is everywhere, we have all been putting it in our bodies for years, plastic is a big part of our lives, along with the chemicals that go into manufacturing it.
The whole thing has been a marketing disaster for SIGG (as well as many other companies), we have used their products for over 10 years and it was a shock to hear what had happened. However for us personally they have provided us with great customer service on this. We will be using our new SIGG bottles.
I agree with Jo. At first I was really upset, because I depended on Sigg for a safe bottle. As for BPA issue, it was TRACE amounts that supposedly didn’t leach into the water. Now, I’m not saying it’s ok they they didn’t disclose this to the public, but c’mon people, they are trying to fix it. I sent back my bottle (following their very specific directions) and received my code within 2 weeks, and had my bottle a week after that. At first, I was convinced I would boycott sigg like the rest of you, but I absolutely LOVE the way water tastes out of my Sigg bottle, so I am happily using my new bottle. I may even buy a few as holiday gifts. Forgiveness is lovely, and I will not boycott a company that has fixed its mistakes.