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Move Over Bottles, Water Packaged In Boxes Is Eco-Friendly Alternative

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- Over growing environmental concerns, bottled water is receiving a bad rap. A company based in the Midwest is selling an alternative that claims to be more eco-friendly: water in a box.

Boxed Water is Better is purified water packaged in Michigan and shipped cross-country. It costs 99 cents for a 16.9 ounce container that resembles a small milk carton.

The company says the container is both recyclable and compostable, except for the plastic spout. "It's a smarter way to quench that thirst for water," said company spokesperson Brian Burch.

Burch said the company plans to start filtering and packaging the water in different locations around the country, to eliminate the need to ship it cross-country.

While boxed water may have a smaller carbon footprint than bottled, environmentalists said the most eco-friendly water on-the-go is still tap water, especially when swigged from a reusable bottle.

Participants in the upcoming San Francisco Marathon will get a taste of boxed water later this month when it's handed out at the finish line.

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