Culligan International, United Center, Chicago Bulls and Chicago Blackhawks Demonstrate Sustainable Impact

In September 2024, Culligan International, the global leader in water transformation, was named the Official Water Partner of the United Center, the Chicago Bulls and the Chicago Blackhawks, creating a powerful alliance between hometown institutions to reduce single-use plastic water bottle waste and bring to life exceptional water experiences that improve fan experiences.

In its first year, the strategic partnership has transformed how water is consumed across Bulls and Blackhawks games, concerts and other major events at the United Center—establishing best practices and new benchmarks for single-use plastic waste reduction at the venue, inclusive of:

• 600,000 single-use plastic bottles avoided, driven by aluminum bottle sales and refills
• 527,240 aluminum cans collected via the new recycling program which effectively
  • Diverted 15,064 pounds of material from landfills
  • Preserved 2,034 cubic feet of landfill space
  • Avoided 36 million grams of CO₂ emissions
  • Saved 6,706 gallons of oil¹

"We believe what's good for the planet is good for business," said Al Hamood, chief financial and administrative officer, Culligan International. "To achieve such significant results in our first year demonstrates the power of our purpose, proving sustainable water solutions enhance fan experiences and reduce plastic waste in our hometown. We are proud to work with like-minded industry leaders to create long-term behavioral changes by redefining hydration with innovations that increase accessibility and drive measurable sustainable impact."

Culligan has been headquartered in Chicago since its inception nearly 90 years ago. Joining forces with iconic Chicago franchises in their home arena unlocked opportunities to reimagine water. Throughout the 2024-25 season, fans found enhanced drinking water touchpoints within the United Center and its practice facilities. This includes infinitely recyclable aluminum Culligan water bottles sold at every concession point, branded refilling stations and upgraded drinking fountains on every level and premium, multifunctional taps in the 100-level suites to not only increase access to cleaner, safer water but also infuse responsible behaviors within the fan journey.

Educational signage, new recycling infrastructure and clear calls to action helped embed more sustainable behaviors into the United Center experiences, which all gave way to a circular and more eco-conscious recycling model that eliminates hundreds of thousands of plastic water bottles annually while protecting our planet and the United Center patrons.

"The United Center is committed to providing exceptional, innovative guest experiences," said Joe Myhra, chief operating officer, United Center. "Teaming up with Culligan has allowed us to make tangible progress in reducing single-use plastic water bottles and empower our fans to make more conscious environmental choices with a hometown partner."

This partnership was notably recognized by Sponsorship Marketing Association Excellence Awards as 2025's Best in Show for Activation at Events and Venues. This award celebrates and further reinforces the partnerships' lasting impact in transforming guest experiences thanks to fan-first engagement, creative integration, and exceptional execution. 

Beyond the Season: Bulls Fest 2025

As the official water provider and supporting partner of Bulls Fest 2025, Culligan International brought its water solutions outside the arena to ensure water was available to fans at one of the most popular Bulls events. During the two-day event, 1,056 liters of water were dispensed at the Culligan refill stations. Paired with nearly 7,000 aluminum bottles consumed on-site, this effort helped avoid the use of more than 15,000 single-use plastic water bottles —delivering a major win for both fans and the environment.

A reusable water cup program was introduced at the fest to further reduce single-use plastic waste with refill and return options at a high-traffic event. Culligan International, the United Center, the Chicago Bulls and the Chicago Blackhawks intend to continue building on this momentum, scaling sustainable practices and transforming water for fans in meaningful ways that matter.

About United Center
The United Center, home of the Chicago Bulls (NBA) and Chicago Blackhawks (NHL), is a globally recognized and multi-use entertainment facility that has welcomed more than 70 million fans since opening in 1994. The United Center hosts more than 200 events each year, including the best sporting events, musical performers, family shows and special events in the industry. The arena also serves as the anchor for The 1901 Project, a $7 billion transformative neighborhood investment where the unifying power of sports, music and culture connects the city of Chicago. A commitment to creating iconic stories, providing superior service and creating economic opportunities makes the United Center one of the premiere venues in the world. For more information, visit www.unitedcenter.com and www.The1901ProjectChicago.com.

About Culligan International
Culligan makes a real difference to people and to the planet by providing clean, sustainable, great-tasting water and reducing reliance on single-use plastic. Culligan is one of the world's most recognized, trusted names in water, a reputation built through a legacy of trust, innovation, service, and quality. Founded in 1936, Culligan International operates in over 90 countries and has more than 15,000 employees worldwide. In 2023, the company reported revenue of $3.1 billion, with an average annual growth rate of approximately 30% (from 2016 to 2023). With over 18 million active installations, Culligan solutions serve more than 155 million consumers annually — an 11% increase from 2022. This translates to an annual reduction of approximately 40 billion single-use plastic bottles, saving over 600 million kg of plastic and preventing more than 5 billion kg of CO₂ emissions. The Culligan master brand covers a family of iconic brands and innovative technologies that include Quench, Zip Water, Purezza Premium Water and Culligan Zero which all share a mission to bring better water to consumers anywhere they need it – in the home, at work or on-the-go. Its product range includes under-sink filtration systems, water dispensers, multifunctional taps, bottle-free coolers, and water softening systems. For more information, visit www.culliganinternational.com or follow @HeyCulligan.

¹ All recycling and diversion data was tracked and verified through Replenysh—a circularity platform helping communities and partners build transparent, closed-loop supply chains for recovered materials.

Media Contact:
Eileen Ziesemer
Vice President, PR & Partnerships
[email protected]

SOURCE Culligan