Think back on how many times you’ve needed or wanted to wash your hands today. Was it easy to find access to clean running water and soap? Were you confident that the water was safe to use?

For three billion people across the globe, the answer is a resounding “no.” The ongoing inaccessibility of this basic human right for so many is unacceptable. As a company committed to finding solutions for access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene for all, Kohler is investing our expertise and resources to address this issue.

The reasons people lack access to safe hygiene are varied and complicated. A one-size-fits-all solution simply won’t work. Rather, given geographic differences, drought and climate issues, available and working infrastructure, solutions also need to be varied and plentiful.

That’s why Kohler's Innovation for Good® (IfG), our in-house incubator for social impact, has been developing a versatile handwashing solution for communities that currently lack access to basic hygiene. In other words, we're taking action by harnessing Kohler's passion for innovation to address a dire need. Pitched by an associate in our inaugural IfG I-Prize competition, we are developing a solution that would benefit schools, health facilities, and community centers where handwashing is desperately needed.

Established in 2011, IfG grew out of our belief that the private sector has an important role to play in the development of scalable and sustainable solutions that improve people’s lives. To that end, we invite associates each year to bring their brightest and boldest ideas to compete for incubation funds and support in the annual I-Prize event.

The themes that drive our annual I-Prize program align with the United Nations Sustainability Development Goals for the greatest impact: Clean and Hygiene in 2020, and Carbon Emissions in 2021. Thanks to the innovative spirit and passion of our associates, we are developing products that serve a social good, all while delivering on our promise of Believing in Better®.

This Global Handwashing Day, we’re proud to join with and invite others to participate in the search for sustainable solutions for this basic human right.