Do you DIG your SIGG?

Two years ago, I purchased my first SIGG bottle, and absolutely adored it. Since then, I took it almost everywhere I went, and gifted it for friends on various occasions.

A growing number of concerned consumers, especially new parents began to turn away from plastic bottles and products that contain BPA, and replace them with stainless steel bottles that were BPA Free. BPA is a chemical with the ability to mimic hormones and several studies have linked BPA to weight gain, abnormalities that can lead to breast and prostate cancer, brain damage, abnormal organ development, and hyperactivity.

SIGG was a popular and recognized brand of safe BPA-free bottles. Or so it seemed, until a letter from SIGG's own Steve Wasik stated that their bottles contained BPA lining. This news came as a shock for all SIGG fans, including myself. Apparently, SIGG was never marketed as a "BPA-free" product but rather a product free from leaching. Wasik apologized in a letter for the lack of clarity about the original SIGG liner.

SIGG Company had known about ways their bottles were being perceived and marketed. They knew the increased in the demand of their products came from a false belief that they were BPA-free. However, they watched as the sales rocketed and did nothing to correct the misconception. SIGG had fooled us all.

SIGG is countering their greenwashing image by offering a voluntary exchange program. Your old SIGG bottles can be exchanged for their newly improved bottles with new EcoCare liner. To exchange, SIGG bottle owners must print out shipping label and return form available online, and bear the cost of shipping to a Brampton address.

This is a huge disappointment for consumers. it's difficult to say when the consumer confidence will recover but the exchange program is a good start. Even better if they had covered the shipping costs.

While I'm getting ready to exchange all 3 SIGG bottles at home, I can't see myself purchasing a SIGG product anytime soon. The damage is done....