Not only is freshwater a vital natural resource we need to sustain everyday life, it is also a valuable raw material for product manufacturing and is required in massive amounts for crop irrigation. Only 3% of the Earth’s water is freshwater, and of that, only one third is available to us (the rest is frozen in glaciers). Considering that more than 1 billion people lack access to water and that water systems around the world like rivers, lakes, and wetlands are shrinking and becoming polluted, we have a duty to educate ourselves about how we can respect water resources better.

Responsible water management supports the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal #6 - Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all and #14 - Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.

We are tracking our water use in our facilities and starting to examine the water impact our products have at the source.

For example, we are looking at innovative ways to reduce our water consumption, from recycling the water that is used for heating and cooling in our manufacturing facilities, to looking at the impact our products have on water stressed areas.

Beyond the obvious things like turning off the tap while brushing your teeth and taking shorter showers, it can be tough to know how to reduce your water consumption. One important way to reduce your impact is to choose less water-intensive products and foods.

Products

Many everyday household products that contain water can be found in waterless-formats, like laundry detergent, surface cleaners, and shampoos.

Foods

At least a quarter of the world’s crops are grown in highly water stressed areas. A place is in “water stress” if more water is being withdrawn than can be replenished through the natural water cycles of the Earth. Learn about water intensive foods that are being grown in water stressed places and see if you can make adjustments to your food selections.