Over the past several months, there has been more attention than ever placed on the role of handwashing in our everyday lives. Americans are washing their hands more frequently and for longer.1 Given the elevated handwashing taking place during this pandemic, we would like to highlight recent GOJO innovations that help reduce water usage while handwashing.
These innovations are also important considering the elevated likelihood of drought in parts of the U.S. due to climate change2 and rising costs of water and wastewater rates, which have risen more than 7 percent between 2016 and 2018.3
GOJO launched its PURELL® brand HEALTHY SOAP® with CLEAN RELEASE™ Technology in late 2017, and followed up the following year with PURELL® Professional REDIFOAM™ Foam Soap, with our PURELL® CXR REDIFOAM™ Dispensing Fixture. Both soaps rinse faster and cleaner to conserve water, saving an estimated 6 gallons or 9 gallons of water per refill, respectively, compared to our regular foam soap.4
In most types of commercial and institutional buildings – from hospitals to restaurants and schools – upwards of 30 percent of water consumption happens in the restroom.5 Given rising water costs, the likelihood of drought in parts of the U.S., and the large portion of water consumption tied to restrooms, building and facility managers should take a closer look at the hand soap they are using throughout their buildings and facilities.
According to a 2014 study conducted by Strategic Research Partners and GOJO, 10 percent more water is used when liquid soap is used in day-to-day handwashing activities, compared to foam soap.6
The water-saving innovation from our latest formulations can allow for substantial water reduction. Our PURELL® brand HEALTHY SOAP® with CLEAN RELEASE™ Technology saves up to 37 gallons of water per refill when compared to a standard bulk liquid soap dispenser.7 We estimate that the average office building would save over 40,000 gallons of water per year, and the average 500-bed hospital would save over 92,000 gallons of water per year by switching to this new formulation.
GOJO offers a full line of foam soaps including third-party certified green options that meet customer standards both for performance and for a healthier world.
Learn more in our GOJO.com product catalog and at GOJO.com/sustainability.