![Glass water bottle with a charred bamboo filter.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/bu-water_071115_01.jpg)
A team of London-based designers from BU Home wanted to create a new reusable water bottle that eliminates the use of disposable plastic, as much as possible. They also wanted their bottles to have a filter for the water, but filters, which are usually charcoal-based, are normally encased in plastic, which is thrown away. So they developed a more natural solution that has a charred piece of bamboo suspended inside the bottle.
![Glass water bottle with a wood cap and a charred bamboo filter.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/bu-water_071115_02.png)
According to the designers, the bamboo charcoal filter removes chemicals and bad odors from tap water. It’s a similar idea to what BRITA filters do, except this design doesn’t involve throwing away plastic.
![A charred bamboo stick acts as a water filter.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/bu-water_071115_03.jpg)
You fill the bottle like you would with any other water bottle. The water filters through the replaceable charcoal bamboo stick, before flowing into the bottle, ready to drink.
![Glass water bottle with a charred bamboo filter.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/bu-water_071115_04.gif)