The number one most important characteristic of any water filtration system is that it kills bacteria, protozoa, and even viruses when you need it most. After all, humans can't survive more than three days without water which means any outdoor adventure can quickly turn into a life-threatening survival situation. We carry water filtration devices with us for all but the most mundane of short nature walks in the neighborhood. In our packs and our overlanding rig, we have as many as four filtration options at all times for redundancy and different use cases. In every case, we look at function first and foremost. It has to work as though our lives depend on it because they do.

Second to the function, we consider the sustainability of the product and the company. Many companies that make water filtration systems are active in the sustainability and philanthropic spaces, often contributing to improving access to clean water in the developing world, and minimizing waste and carbon emissions. Here's a recap of some of our favorite sustainable and life-saving water filtration companies.

LifeStraw

Sustainability Report
Certifications: Certified Carbon Neutral, B-Corp

Impact Story
Founded by Mikkel Vestergaard Frandsen, Lifestraw describes itself as a humanitarian company that gives back. This isn't just a catchy phrase, Lifestraw (through its parent company Vestergaard), is in part responsible for the almost complete eradication of Guinea worm. In partnership with the Carter Center, more than 38 million LifeStraw drinking water filters have been distributed around the world. The results are extraordinary - Guinea worm has gone from 3.5 million cases in 1986 to 28 in 2018.

Giving
For every 500 products Lifestraw sells, they distribute a LifeStraw Community purifier to a school in need which provides safe water to 100 school children for a period of five years. Put another way, one purchase of any LifeStraw product provides a year of safe water to a child in need. To date, 9,680,105 kids have received a year's worth of clean water due to this program.

Sustainability
Lifestraw is a Climate Neutral Certified brand. The company measures its annual greenhouse gases emitted when making and delivering products to customers, including Scopes, 1, 2, and 3 emissions. In 2019, Lifestraw's carbon footprint was measured and reported as 4,513 metric tonnes of CO2e has been fully offset. Lifestraw also works with The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) to create aggressive emissions reductions targets roadmaps.

Lifestraw also has a number of achievable goals for sustainable packaging, emissions, and materials use along with strong commitments to an ethical supply chain. Read more about these commitments in Lifestraw's 2023 sustainability report. Lifestraw is also a member of the Conservation Alliance, the Outdoor Industry Plastic Impact Alliance, the Outdoor Industry Association’s Climate Action Corps, and the PrAna Responsible Packaging movement.

Sawyer

Sustainability Report
Certifications: None listed

Impact Story
Founded in 1984, Sawyer commits to global aid of refugees, disaster zones, and life-saving efforts with work with more than 140 charities in 100 countries. Importantly, the Sawyer Foundation was created to provide clean water to communities in developing countries through Sawyer's water filters and bucket systems. These are saving lives all over the world by combining the company's water filters with the tubing and accessories needed to convert a 5-gallon bucket into a low-cost and long-lasting gravity water filtration system. We use Sawyer filters for the portability and easy of use.

Giving
Through the Sawyer Foundation, Sawyer supports more than 140 charities in more than 100 countries with a mission to support partner organizations that share the gift of clean drinking water to under-resourced communities.

Sustainability
Sawyer commits to quality filters that last longer. Some Sawyer filters have been in consistent use for 10+ years, according to the company.

LifeSaver

Sustainability Report
Certifications: None Listed

Impact Story
LifeSaver, a UK-based company beloved by survivalists and off-grid enthusiasts, primarily bases its sustainability on replacing single-use water bottles and on the high quality of its materials.

Giving
LifeSaver products are used in humanitarian and disaster relief across the globe. LifeSaver works directly with NGO’s, charities and governments who deploy LifeSaver products through their emergency response efforts and planned programs.

Sustainability
LifeSaver products are built to last and their filter cartridges are replaceable and recyclable. Lifesaver has also switched to using single-page, quick-start guides to replace their more comprehensive product manuals. The company boasts that for every 1 litre of water purified by a LifeSaver product a 1-litre bottle of water was not purchased, used and discarded. The company also says that for every LifeSaver Jerrycan that leaves its factory potentially saves the equivalent of half a tonne (500kg) of plastic from going to landfill.

Grayl

Sustainability Report
Certifications: None listed

Impact Story
Grayl began as a Kickstarter company with a design first sketched on the proverbial back of a napkin. This origin story aligns with the company's unique design thinking and innovation. The company's water filtration bottles are versatile, fast, easy to use and include virus filtering making them perfect for international travel. We use them also in areas where viral infection may be more likely, such as downstream from cattle grazing.

Giving:
GRAYL donates a minimum of 1% from every sale to environmental charities and non-profits, including:

• The Conservation Alliance

• All Hands and Hearts

• Charity: water

• The Adventure Travel Conservation Fund

• Washington Wild

• Soul River

• Outdoor Afro

Sustainability
On top of replacing single-use plastic water bottles, every Grayl is accompanied by a ten year warranty covering workmanship and materials ensuring their products don't end up in landfills.

Epic Water Filters

Sustainability Report
Certifications: None Listed

Impact Story
Founded in 2015, Epic Water Filters is the brainchild of Ash Heather who was personally moved by the distressing volume of plastic bottles all over the world created by poor and untrustworthy water quality.

Giving
With a percentage of each sale, Epic supports the following charitable causes:

• Protect our Winters

• GA2030.org

• Inland Ocean Coalition

• Access Fund

• Honnold Foundation

• American Rivers

• United Way

Sustainability
While also reducing the need for single-use plastic water bottles, Epic uses 100% compostable packaging and includes a responsible filter recycling program.

Katadyn

Sustainability Report
Certifications: None listed

Impact Story
Katadyn has developed and produced personal water treatment systems and products for the outdoor and marine industries for over 90 years.

Giving
None listed

Sustainability
Uniquely, Katadyn focuses its sustainability measurements on its employees and governance. The company is committed to non-discriminatory work practices, fair salaries, open and direct communication and a solution-oriented matrix structure. Employees enjoy voluntary child allowances, parental leave, subsidized healthy meals and continuing education opportunities. Employees also share in profit sharing and bonuses.

Bonus Brand: Puribag

Though we haven't gotten our hands on one yet, color us intrigued. This two-year-old Australian company is quickly making a name for himself thanks to an innovative product design and equally innovative marketing (55 million TikTok views!!!). The company's product has also achieved an impressive certification from the World Health Organization and is now in more than 80 countries. Notably, Puribag is partnered with the World Wildlife Fund to bring gifted donations of Puribags into the hands of those who need them the most.