Water as the essence of our endeavors

Geberit's sustainability strategy and the objectives derived from it are based on global trends such as the increasing consumption of water. The United Nations millennium objectives for sustainable development also play an important role. They include the resolution to significantly increase the share of the world's population with access to clean drinking water and basic sanitary services.

Diligent handling of water

The environmental principles contained in the Geberit Code of Conduct exceed statutory requirements and require careful use of water, energy and other resources. Production is made as energy-efficient and resource-sparing as possible. By far the greatest effect is seen in those products that consume water on a daily basis. As of 2006, over 4.5 billion cubic meters of water have been saved through the use of all the Geberit dual flush and stop-and-go cisterns produced since 1998 and still in use today. This amount of water would be sufficient to supply roughly a quarter of the population of Africa with its annual basic requirement of water (50 liters per person per day). Innovative, water-saving product systems, combined with outstanding hygiene attributes, are thus a focus of the discussion on sustainability at Geberit.

In the field of drinking-water hygiene, people are becoming increasingly sensitive and standards are becoming stricter. Geberit takes this very seriously: In its newly established "Drinking Water Hygiene" department, Geberit exchanges experience and information with various divisions and countries. The department is in close contact with markets, customers, universities and government authorities. It organizes training measures, prepares publications, initiates research and development projects and advises in development matters.

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) with focus on water and sanitary facilities

www.helvetas.ch
Helvetas is a denominationally and politically independet association which was founded in 1955 as the first private organisation for development co-operation in Switzerland. One of the core issues in the project work of Helvetas is sustainable water supply and sanitation.

www.wecf.org
WECF - Women in Europe for a Common Future is a network of women's and environmental-protection organizations that are active in 30 countries in Central Asia and Europe. WECF implements projects for a healthy environment, in the area of water and sanitary facilities, for example, with national partners and attempts at the same time to exercise influence at the international level.

www.unicef.org/progressforchildren/2006n5/map/sanitation/index.html
The Unicef world map - as part of the "Progress for Children" program - shows in an impressive manner the large areas of the Earth that still lack adequate basic plumbing facilities.