SUNLIGHT WATER SAVING PROGRAMME

BACKGROUND

Around the world, 2.8 billion people experience poor access to water. This number is estimated to increase significantly by 2030. The typical household in South African uses about 250 litres of water a day. This amounts to 7500 litres a month, which exceeds the free monthly water allowance each household receives from the municipality. The typical South African family of four uses on average 37500 litres of water a month, putting additional strain on water accessibility issues.

Generally, Unilever has a low water impact regarding the manufacturing of their products, but high-water dependency with regard to the use of Unilever products. Unilever’s biggest water use, around 85%, occurs when consumers use their products. Unilever’s analysis shows that most water is used for laundry, particularly washing clothes, and for showering, bathing and washing hair with Unilever products.

HOW

In a water-scarce country, Unilever is focusing their expertise and resources on developing products, devices and services that meet the domestic water needs of consumers. One of the best examples of product innovation to save water is our Sunlight handwashing powder with easy rinse technology that allows the consumer to rinse their clothes with just one bucket of water instead of two.

RESULTS

In a drive to raise awareness about being water wise:

1. Sunlight 2in1 re-launched their reformulated water saving product in 2016 and has donated, to date, over 95 JOJO tanks and 300 push taps to communities in need;
2. Sunlight, in collaboration with Ndileka Mandela, embarked on a roadshow that had gained approximately 17 436 pledges from fellow South Africans who were open to helping the country save water;
3. Over a million people having been provided with water saving messaging both through one-on-one engagement as well as through flyers and interactive games to drive a Water Smart Nation.