We hear a lot now about finding ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  The goal is to become net-zero – remove as much carbon as possible and other greenhouse gases that can harm the atmosphere and contribute to global warming.

However, we are just starting to hear about programs designed not only to use water more efficiently, but also to make sure not a drop is wasted.  It’s called becoming “water positive” and some of the biggest corporations in the world are getting behind it.  And it’s not a minute to soon. The U.N. predicts that by 2030, just eight years from now, the world will have a 40 percent shortfall of freshwater.

So, what is water positive all about?  It’s a pledge by major corporations such as BP, Facebook, the Gap, Ralph Lauren, DOW chemical, Pepsi, Proctor & Gamble, and other companies, to put every drop of water they use in a specific geographic area back in the area in which the company operates.

You might wonder why the Gap and Ralph Lauren are so involved.  The reason is that it takes trillions of gallons of water per year to dye fabrics.  And unlike government leaders who may pledge this and pledge that when it comes to climate change and the environment, these companies are starting to take real and tangible steps to replenish the water they use.

For instance, Pepsi’s division in Mexico is processing water and treating it so that it can be used for irrigation and washing vegetables.  The program has helped reduce the demand for fresh water in the immediate area by 50 percent.

Proctor & Gamble is taking a different course of action.  They realize that most of the water related to their products is used by consumers, when they shave, wash dishes or laundry, or perform related activities in which they use P&G products.  To address this, they have formed a coalition of companies all working together to encourage end-customers to use less water.

They named the coalition the 50L Home Platform.  This is because its goal is for people in Europe, where the program is most active, to reduce their daily use of water by fifty liters per person. 

Ikea, which is also part of the 50L Home Program, is striving to be water positive by reaching out to its customers. According to IKEA, 15 percent of the company’s total water footprint each year occurs when its customers use their taps, showers, and other water-using fixtures. To address this, Ikea and others in the program are offering their customers water-positive home offers, discounts, and rebates to purchase more water efficient faucets, showers, and dishwashers.

We should note that many of these companies are not only taking steps to replenish the water they or their customers use but use water far more efficiently. All these companies and many more are laser-focused on how much water they are using and what steps they can take to reduce consumption.

As usual, and as you might expect, most have installed more water-efficient restroom fixtures, including waterless urinals.  Whenever the discussion turns to water efficiency and water reduction, expect the installation of waterless urinals to be one of the key topics of interest.

Klaus Reichardt is CEO and founder of Waterless Co, Inc, Vista, Calif. Reichardt founded the company in 1991 with the goal of establishing a new market segment in the plumbing fixture industry with water efficiency in mind. Reichardt is a frequent writer and presenter, discussing water conservation issues. He can be reached at klaus@waterless.com.