Reducing water impact vital to sustainability goals for Reckitt Benckiser

Water is everywhere in the face wash maker’s business from the supply chain and operational processes, right down to the actual product use, so has been a key focus for the New Jersey-based firm.

"Water is an increasingly critical resource around the world and it is vital to our consumers and our business,"​ said Rakesh Kapoor, company CEO.

"Our innovative approach to reducing our water impact demonstrates how our sustainability strategy aligns with the emphasis in our business strategy on health and hygiene and emerging markets. We are determined to grow sustainably, helping people to lead healthier lives, and we made excellent progress in 2012."​

Measurement approach​

As such, the consumer goods company, whose iconic brands include the Clearasil face wash range, has unveiled a new water footprint measurement approach, explaining how it helps people to improve their health and hygiene as part of better business, for its new sustainability strategy.

Reckitt's sustainability strategy has three headline targets for 2020:

• 1/3 net revenue from more sustainable products,
• 1/3 reduction in water impact across the product lifecycle,
• 1/3 further reduction in carbon footprint across the product lifecycle.

The company's strategic priorities have been outlined as health and hygiene behavior and water use.

In 2012, Reckitt commissioned research to identify water conservation priorities – taking account of water scarcity as well as actual water usage.

Focusing on scarcity means that Reckitt needs to concentrate on the consumer use of its products, especially hand washing, even though raw materials account for most water use.

According to the report, India is the top priority geographically because it is the country with the biggest impact based on water use, scarcity and the size of the company’s business there.

Carbon emissions​

As well as reducing water impact, Reckitt Benckiser also outlines its target to reduce carbon emissions across the product lifecycle, following the company’s success in achieving the 2020 target to cut emissions per dose by 20 percent eight years early.

In 2012, RB reduced emissions per dose by a further five percent bringing the total to 25 percent since 2007.