Bringing Innovations to Communities That Need Them Most
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Kohler has a long-standing history of innovating for a social purpose, as well as establishing impactful partnerships to bring innovations to the communities that need them most.
When it comes to addressing water challenges, the scope of the solutions needed is vast. Approximately two billion people around the world do not have safely managed drinking water services and three billion people lack basic handwashing facilities. As for water conservation for mass consumers, showering and bathing are the largest indoor uses of water in the U.S. With that being said, 90 percent of U.S. consumers believe it is important to take concrete steps to reduce the environmental impact when it comes to water usage. These numbers emphasize that some communities need simple solutions that can be easily integrated into their existing infrastructure, while others may require high-tech innovations.
At World Water Week 2022, Kohler and partners explored the relationship between innovation and partnerships and how organizations must be prepared to meet the needs of global communities. To learn more about our time at World Water Week and about scaling impact through innovations and partnerships, see some of our insights and initiatives below.
World Toilet Day Q&A
In Nairobi’s informal settlements, Kohler and Sanergy’s container-based sanitation solution is changing lives. Sanergy’s cofounder and members of Kohler’s Innovation for Good® team discuss the human-centered design approach that made their collaboration a success.
2022 World Water Week Highlights
Bringing incredible passion and expertise, panelists from Water Mission, Sanergy, DigDeep, and Kohler, joined Laura Kohler, SVP of HR, Stewardship and Sustainability, at World Water Week 2022 to talk about scaling effective solutions to address the world water crisis. We’ve captured highlights of their discussion here.
Insights from World Water Week 2022
Learn more about Kohler’s time at World Water Week with three key takeaways.
Join Laura Kohler and other leaders in an online panel discussion, August 24, during World Water Week
Laura will be joined by Water Mission, Sanergy, DigDeep and Kohler’s Head of Innovation for Good & Sustainability Ratish Namboothiry, to talk about innovative products and partnerships that serve a social purpose.
Our Progress Toward Better: Kohler's 2021 Believing in Better® ESG Report
In our journey to better, we use Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria as a framework to transparently report against our goals and progress while ensuring the actions we take are embedded in our business strategy and operations.
Impactful Initiatives
Kohler seeks to make a positive impact through programs that are driven by clean water and sanitation.
Innovation for Good®
Kohler harnesses the expertise of its global associates to generate solutions for the world’s most pressing challenges through Innovation for Good. This initiative develops products and solutions for pressing global social and environmental issues, plus works with partners to test and implement innovations at-scale. Photo courtesy of Water Mission.
Safe Water for All
Kohler’s Safe Water for All initiative enables solutions around water, sanitation, and hygiene access through four pillars: water stewardship, innovative products, water impact projects, and advocacy and fundraising. Kohler’s work with partners elevates each pillar to deliver solutions directly to communities. Photo courtesy of Water Mission
Key Partnerships
Developing key, strategic partnerships is essential in creating impact at scale for communities across the globe.
Water Mission
Water Mission is a nonprofit engineering organization that builds safe water, sanitation, and hygiene solutions in developing countries and disaster areas. Kohler partners with Water Mission on innovative community solutions and disaster response efforts with potential to impact thousands of lives annually.
Sanergy
Sanergy is a Nairobi-based organization focused on sustainable solutions for nonsewered sanitation. In partnership with Sanergy, Kohler’s Innovation for Good® team is developing a container-based sanitation option for people living without access to safe sanitation systems.
DigDeep
Kohler and DigDeep are partnering to address access to clean water and sanitation with the Water Is Life microgrant program, which invites anyone living on the Navajo Nation to submit innovative ideas and business plans for universal access to clean water and sanitation through community-based service models or new technologies.
Global Water Center
The Global Water Center is the platform that’s convening safe water organizations everywhere to foster collaboration, create consensus, and share resources to equip everyone in their efforts to end the global water crisis once and for all. Kohler supports the Global Water Center in calling for action to address the water challenges faced around the world and bringing awareness and education on the topic.
50L Home Coalition
Kohler is a founding member of 50L Home Coalition and works with the coalition to create innovative solutions to help make 50 liters of daily water use per person an irresistible aspiration for all.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) WaterSense®
Kohler partners with the EPA on its KOHLER® WaterSense-labeled products, which have saved 437 billion gallons of water, 9.26 metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO²) emissions, and $7 billion in consumer energy and water costs since the partnership began in 2007.
Water and Climate: An Urgent Need to Change Behavior
Why we must act now to drive innovation and action around water challenges.
Prioritizing Innovation For a Better Planet.
Our associates apply their unique expertise to solutions that help restore our earth.
Innovative solution to address global sanitation gaps.
Partnering with Sanergy, a Nairobi-based organization focused on sustainable solutions for nonsewered sanitation, Kohler is developing a container-based sanitation (CBS) option for people living without access to safe sanitation systems.