Co-op has today (Friday, 21 June) introduced a ‘cool’ way for shoppers to make a difference and change lives with sales of its own brand ice-cubes now funding clean water projects around the world in partnership with The One Foundation.
The leading convenience retailer has worked with The One Foundation for more than 15 years, donating 3p per litre from sales of Co-op branded water and raising more than £20 million to help change the lives of millions of people around the world – bringing access to safe, clean drinking water for rural and urban communities and responding to humanitarian emergencies.
The same amount will now be donated from sales of its own-brand ice cubes in its own stores and those of participating independent co-operative societies and NISA.
The move builds on the long-standing relationship with The One Foundation, and it is estimated that a further £150,000 per annum will be raised through Co-op branded ice cube sales to support clean water projects.
Incredibly, there are more than 700 million people globally who lack access to safe, clean, drinking water, including 115 million people who collect untreated surface water from lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams*. More than 1,000 children aged under five die each day from illnesses caused by unsafe water and sanitation.
The One Foundation invests the funds raised across two key sectors, currently focused in Rwanda, Ghana, Malawi and Kenya: implementing large scale urban water systems and handpump repair in rural communities. And, responding to humanitarian emergencies worldwide.
Emily Pearce, Co-op’s senior sustainable sourcing and international development manager, said: “We recognise that water is the most precious resource and essential for a secure future – yet access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene is all too often taken for granted and, devastatingly, remains elusive for many. More than £20 million has already been raised through our commitments. This is an incredible achievement which has directly changed 3 million lives, and has been made possible through choices made by our member-owners and customers, plus customers of independent co-operative society stores and NISA. The addition of donations from sales of our own branded ice cubes will further support this vital work, choosing our water and ice cubes is a fantastic example of how shopping at Co-op really can make a difference.”
