Seems like we are witnessing what happens when a supposedly “transparent” and eco friendly firm such as what SIGG portrayed to the public and their partners is actually not. Guess SIGG is now “brown” instead of “green” as this latest snafoo is costing them customers and partners.

SIGG finally admitted that their bottles are not as “health friendly” as they have been advertising. Bottles manufactured before August 2008 have liners that contain bisphenal A, a chemical that may adversely affect human health. So now over a year later we are being alerted to this information? However, their bottles have been touted before 2008 as being BPA free etc.

Simran Sith wrote on Huffington Post decrying the company’s lack of transparency on the BPS issue. If you have a SIGG bottle manufactured before August 2008, bring the bottle back to any major retailer and they should exchange it for a new BPA- free model. Sadly, SIGG is not even revealing this information on their website, and would much rather have you pay to return the bottle to them for an exchange. However Simran spoke to SIGG CEO Steve Wasik who confirmed they would allow the exchanges to occur at the stores.

With this news, Patagonia announced today they will terminate all co-branding and marketing efforts with SIGG, Inc. Seems like Patagonia was duped by SIGG, as Patagonia’s VP of Environmental Initiatives Rick Ridgeway stated, “We even arranged for one of the leading scientists on BPA research to come to our company to educate us on the issue. Once we concluded there was basis for concern, we immediately pulled all drinking bottles that contained BPA from our shelves and then searched for a BPA-free bottle. We very clearly asked SIGG if there was BPA in their bottles and their liners, and they clearly said there was not. After conducting such thorough due diligence, we are more than chagrined to see the ad that is appearing in Backpacker, but we also feel that with this explanation our customers will appreciate and understand our position.”

Patagonia is returning all SIGG bottles still on their shelves (even the BPA free versions) for recycling and are searching for a new bottle vendor.