Get Blue™ Initiative Launched to Expand Access to Safe Water
Water.org, in collaboration with Gap Inc., Amazon, Starbucks, and Ecolab, has officially launched the Get Blue™ initiative. This global campaign aims to accelerate access to safe water and sanitation by leveraging business leadership, consumer engagement, and capital to support Water.org's effective market-driven solutions. The goal is to reach families and communities worldwide who are in dire need of these essential resources.
The Global Water Crisis: Key Facts
Currently, 2.1 billion people globally, which accounts for nearly one in four individuals, do not have access to safe drinking water, and about 3.4 billion people lack adequate sanitation facilities. Ensuring access to safe water significantly improves health, education, and economic opportunities for families.
- 2.1 billion: People without safe water access
- 3.4 billion: People without adequate sanitation
- 85 million: People reached by Water.org so far
- 200 million: Target number of individuals to reach by 2030
Get Blue: A Long-term Commitment
The Get Blue initiative is designed to serve as a sustainable platform that encourages corporations to prioritize water as a critical operational and market issue. By treating water as a central facet of business strategy, this campaign fosters sustained investment in solutions that effectively "Bring Water Home™."
Richard Dickson, President and CEO of Gap Inc., remarked, "Through the launch of Get Blue, we're uniting some of the world's most influential brands behind a shared mission. We can help make safe water accessible to every person on the planet and demonstrate what's possible when we step up as a force for good."
Partnerships Driving Change
Gary White, CEO and co-founder of Water.org, expressed optimism about the business community's role in addressing the water crisis: "Solving the global water crisis is possible if the business community comes together and focuses on measurable change." Get Blue aims to enhance corporate water stewardship, reduce operational water consumption, and manage supply-chain risks while supporting community education and investment in water and sanitation projects.
Founding Partners Share Commitment to Safe Water
Each founding partner acknowledges the importance of clean water within their business models and communities. For instance, Kara Hurst, Chief Sustainability Officer at Amazon, emphasized the company’s role in fostering healthy communities through sustainable water use: "Access to safe water is foundational to healthy communities and building a more sustainable business," she stated.
Furthermore, Marika McCauley Sine, Chief Sustainability Officer at Starbucks, highlighted the company's investment of $50 million in WaterEquity, which aims to provide clean water and sanitation solutions for underserved regions.
Christophe Beck, Chairman and CEO of Ecolab, affirmed that helping customers use water more effectively can create both business growth and social impact, reinforcing the importance of the Get Blue initiative.
Call to Action: Join the Movement
Water.org invites businesses across various sectors to participate in the Get Blue initiative and contribute to solving the ongoing water crisis. As co-founder Matt Damon noted, the movement aims to unite a community committed to changing the narrative surrounding global water access.
Organizations interested in partnership opportunities can contact Ben Albert at ben.albert@water.org.
About Get Blue
Get Blue™ is a global movement that mobilizes brands, creators, consumers, and capital to tackle water access challenges. Developed in partnership with Water.org and key industry players such as Gap Inc., Amazon, Starbucks, and Ecolab, the initiative aims to use commerce to resolve one of the world’s most pressing issues. Specially branded Get Blue products will directly fund Water.org's proven water and sanitation solutions.