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Sheet of paper10A4 sheet of 80gsm2000Cup of tea30250ml2400Apple70100g700Cup of coffee140125ml21,000Bottle of beer150500ml300Slice of bread440400g1100Chicken fillet683175g3900Packet of sugar15001kg1500Chunk of cheese2500500g5000Packet of rice34001kg3400Beef steak3875250g15,500Pair of jeans10,8501kg10,850-->Sheet of paper10A4 sheet of 80gsm2000Cup of tea30250ml2400Apple70100g700Cup of coffee140125ml21,000Bottle of beer150500ml300Slice of bread440400g1100Chicken fillet683175g3900Packet of sugar15001kg1500Chunk of cheese2500500g5000Packet of rice34001kg3400Beef steak3875250g15,500Pair of jeans10,8501kg10,850-->
Version 0 Version 1
The ripple effect of cutting water The ripple effect of cutting water
(10 minutes later)
Clare Davidson, BBC News Port Sunlight, MerseysideClare Davidson, BBC News Port Sunlight, Merseyside
Unilever's Richard Craven shows Clare Davidson how to make a bottle of Small and Mighty Unilever's Richard Craven shows Clare how to make a bottle of Small and Mighty
"For far too long, businesses like ours have been effectively shipping water around the globe," says Gavin Neath, a spokesperson for Unilever."For far too long, businesses like ours have been effectively shipping water around the globe," says Gavin Neath, a spokesperson for Unilever.
He leans across a table in the firm's London office, as if confiding something secretive.He leans across a table in the firm's London office, as if confiding something secretive.
Like other multinational firms, Unilever is assessing its environmental impact, including how it uses water.Like other multinational firms, Unilever is assessing its environmental impact, including how it uses water.
In doing so the firm is reassessing the way it does business, but this also creates a number of benefits.In doing so the firm is reassessing the way it does business, but this also creates a number of benefits.
The firm singles out two detergents - Small and Mighty, and Surf Excel - as examples of this shift. Small and Mighty, for example, requires half as much water per bottle and half as much packaging.The firm singles out two detergents - Small and Mighty, and Surf Excel - as examples of this shift. Small and Mighty, for example, requires half as much water per bottle and half as much packaging.
Shift in sizeShift in size
As we arrive at the firm's Port Sunlight factory, near Liverpool, Keith Rutherford - who has been closely involved in developing small & mighty in the UK - has set up a display of detergents to illustrate the change.As we arrive at the firm's Port Sunlight factory, near Liverpool, Keith Rutherford - who has been closely involved in developing small & mighty in the UK - has set up a display of detergents to illustrate the change.
Brands sold in different countries over the years are neatly arranged.Brands sold in different countries over the years are neatly arranged.
What would have been considered the norm now appear absurdly big in scale.What would have been considered the norm now appear absurdly big in scale.
"In the past, especially in the US, big was always best," explains Mr Rutherford. In the past, especially in the US, big was always best Keith Rutherford, a director of Unilever's laundry R&D"In the past, especially in the US, big was always best," explains Mr Rutherford. In the past, especially in the US, big was always best Keith Rutherford, a director of Unilever's laundry R&D
"And the more bubbles and foam the better.""And the more bubbles and foam the better."
Making goods smaller challenges such assumptions.Making goods smaller challenges such assumptions.
As we enter liquid factory number one, we are hit by an intense waft of perfumed detergent.As we enter liquid factory number one, we are hit by an intense waft of perfumed detergent.
As a robotic arm lifts bottles into a cardboard box, Mr Rutherford lists the benefits across the supply chain of making the detergent more concentrated.As a robotic arm lifts bottles into a cardboard box, Mr Rutherford lists the benefits across the supply chain of making the detergent more concentrated.
Smaller bottles mean less packaging, meaning fewer carbon emissions. "It also means more can be transported on fewer lorries which reduces fuel, which in turn lowers emissions.Smaller bottles mean less packaging, meaning fewer carbon emissions. "It also means more can be transported on fewer lorries which reduces fuel, which in turn lowers emissions.
"And making a more concentrated liquid means more goes further, so customers don't have to lug as much detergent from the supermarket as often.""And making a more concentrated liquid means more goes further, so customers don't have to lug as much detergent from the supermarket as often."
'Whole puzzle''Whole puzzle'
As part of its overall environmental assessment, the firm has also looked at the consumer's role.As part of its overall environmental assessment, the firm has also looked at the consumer's role.

EMBEDDED WATER

ItemLitres per unitSize of unitLitres per kg

EMBEDDED WATER

ItemLitres per unitSize of unitLitres per kg
This is effectively about looking at water used across the supply chain. While embedded carbon has been much talked about, embedded water, the water that is used in the life cycle of the product, has not. It is also called virtual water.This is effectively about looking at water used across the supply chain. While embedded carbon has been much talked about, embedded water, the water that is used in the life cycle of the product, has not. It is also called virtual water.
Water consumption at all stages is calculated; irrigation of the raw materials, the manufacturing process, water per consumer use, waste and greenhouse gas emissions.Water consumption at all stages is calculated; irrigation of the raw materials, the manufacturing process, water per consumer use, waste and greenhouse gas emissions.
"By looking at water we have an opportunity to look at the whole puzzle," says Mr Rutherford, gleefully."By looking at water we have an opportunity to look at the whole puzzle," says Mr Rutherford, gleefully.
A brief look at the firm's range of goods, from brands such as Knorr stock to Dove soap, underlines how important the end user's role is.A brief look at the firm's range of goods, from brands such as Knorr stock to Dove soap, underlines how important the end user's role is.
Plastic bottles of laundry detergent head down the production linePlastic bottles of laundry detergent head down the production line
"It might be through boiling a kettle for tea, or making stock cubes or putting on the laundry", he lists."It might be through boiling a kettle for tea, or making stock cubes or putting on the laundry", he lists.
Even pasta in tomato sauce needs water, albeit indirectly, since pasta needs to be boiled in water.Even pasta in tomato sauce needs water, albeit indirectly, since pasta needs to be boiled in water.
In fact, Unilever estimates that the water added by end users represents around 45% of the total water used for its products.In fact, Unilever estimates that the water added by end users represents around 45% of the total water used for its products.
For detergent that figure is even greater - around 95% of the water is used by the consumer, mostly for rinsing.For detergent that figure is even greater - around 95% of the water is used by the consumer, mostly for rinsing.
EducationEducation
"But you can't just abdicate that aspect, you need to raise awareness," says Mr Neath."But you can't just abdicate that aspect, you need to raise awareness," says Mr Neath.
In countries such as India, washing clothes can represent around a quarter of the domestic water used and most water is used in the rinsing phase. ENVIRONMENTAL SAVINGS SMALL & MIGHTY Water: 41 million litresShelf space: 36 football fieldsCarbon dioxide: 1 030 000 kgPlastic: (equivalent) 272 million bagsCard: (equivalent) 383 million A4 sheetsIn countries such as India, washing clothes can represent around a quarter of the domestic water used and most water is used in the rinsing phase. ENVIRONMENTAL SAVINGS SMALL & MIGHTY Water: 41 million litresShelf space: 36 football fieldsCarbon dioxide: 1 030 000 kgPlastic: (equivalent) 272 million bagsCard: (equivalent) 383 million A4 sheets
Surf Excel Quick Wash, used in India, produces less lather, so the clothes need less rinsing, saving around two buckets of water per wash.Surf Excel Quick Wash, used in India, produces less lather, so the clothes need less rinsing, saving around two buckets of water per wash.
Some parts of the world where Unilever operates are water stressed, and many areas have no piped water.Some parts of the world where Unilever operates are water stressed, and many areas have no piped water.
Reducing the amount of water needed not only cuts the water required, it also means less physical work, with women and girls standing to benefit the most since they do most of the water carrying, said Mr Neath.Reducing the amount of water needed not only cuts the water required, it also means less physical work, with women and girls standing to benefit the most since they do most of the water carrying, said Mr Neath.
So reducing the water in goods not only stands to benefit the environment. It also has social implications.So reducing the water in goods not only stands to benefit the environment. It also has social implications.
Much has changed since the days of William Hesketh Lever, who co-founded the eponymous soap firm with his brother long before it was incorporated into Unilever.Much has changed since the days of William Hesketh Lever, who co-founded the eponymous soap firm with his brother long before it was incorporated into Unilever.
But he might smile to think that aspects of his mission statement had been carried out.But he might smile to think that aspects of his mission statement had been carried out.
"To make cleanliness commonplace; to lessen work for women; to foster health and contribute to personal attractiveness.""To make cleanliness commonplace; to lessen work for women; to foster health and contribute to personal attractiveness."