Monacqua

Monacqua is a sustainably packaged still and sparkling drinking water brand that supports the Princess Grace Foundation.

The natural drinking water brand Monacqua was envisioned by Monaco resident Geeta Kalwani, aiming to create a positive impact and help combat plastic waste. It is available in disposable carton formats as well as glass bottles for still and sparkling water.

What inspired you to establish this brand?

“As a mother of three precious children, the instinct to protect and preserve comes naturally. In the ocean of choices we have, Monacqua is my little modern-world contribution towards a greener, more sustainable Principality. After all, who better than a mother to understand the Earth, for we have both been incubators of life?” – explains Geeta.

Where does the name Monacqua come from?

“Monacqua, a distinctive name melding French ‘mon’ for ‘my’ with Italian ‘Acqua’ for water, reflects the essence of Monaco itself—a convergence of these two rich cultures. As such, the name reflects the cultural heritage of Monaco as well as the personal connection we have with water as a life-giving resource.”

The Monacqua maiden and brand name are both trademarked by the EUIPO (European Trademark Office).

Are paper cartons the most sustainable solution?

“Of course not. Disposable water bottles, in and of themselves, are not ideal for the environment. However, we live in modern times and need water at our disposal, which means a choice between what’s bad and what’s worse!”

Plastic bottles significantly impact the environment, taking up to 450 years to decompose, contributing to immense landfill waste and landscape pollution, and also affecting marine life. True, they are easier to recycle than multi-layer paper cartons, but did you know that over 80% of plastic bottles are not recycled and end up in landfills?

In the world’s oceans, an estimated 100,000 marine mammals and up to 1 million seabirds die each year from ingesting or becoming entangled in plastic waste, including bottles.

And then, we must also consider what’s good for our human health. Plastic bottles cause chemicals like BPA and phthalates to leach into the water, with studies suggesting a correlation between these chemicals and health issues like hormonal imbalances and reproductive problems in humans. Aluminium, on the other hand, while certainly better for the environment, has been linked to Alzheimer’s and dementia. As they say in Italy, every problem has a solution, and every solution has a problem.”

From where do you source your products?

“The paper for our cartons is sourced from sustainable, responsibly managed forests with an active reforestation program. Even our caps are made of non-food substances derived from sugar cane.”

How has the market reacted to Monacqua? Who are your most prominent clients?

“I am humbled by the overwhelming support Monacqua has received from the people of Monaco. The collective awareness of our precious environment and the courage to make conscious choices, including amongst the children, is unlike anything I have experienced before. 

We were honoured to be chosen as the official water supplier for the Grand Prix 2024, a testament to the trust and recognition we’ve garnered. Our little moment of pride was supplying the water to the winning team, Ferrari. There must be something in the water… Our clients include the Palais Princier de Monaco, the Yacht Club of Monaco, Blade (the helicopters of Monaco), and many luxury boutiques and supermarkets. When the Mairie of Cap d’Ail recently contacted us for our bottles, we were thrilled! Thank you for supporting a mother-owned local brand; I am most grateful.”

Tell us more about your collaboration with the Princess Grace Foundation.

“A portion of the proceeds from the sales of Monacqua go to the Princess Grace Foundation, Monaco. The Foundation is dedicated to supporting various charitable projects, particularly those related to child welfare, healthcare, and cultural endeavours, continuing the philanthropic legacy of Princess Grace of Monaco.”