{"id":145984,"date":"2020-01-10T07:30:18","date_gmt":"2020-01-09T23:30:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thehoneycombers.com\/hongkong\/?p=145984"},"modified":"2024-12-03T15:19:14","modified_gmt":"2024-12-03T07:19:14","slug":"rob-zimmerman-kohler-director-of-sustainability-wash","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thehoneycombers.com\/hong-kong\/rob-zimmerman-kohler-director-of-sustainability-wash\/","title":{"rendered":"We talk smart living with Rob Zimmerman, Director of Sustainability & WaSH at KOHLER"},"content":{"rendered":"

Here at Honeycombers Hong Kong, we are passionate about being conscious consumers and looking after the environment. Being a completely digital platform, we run a near paperless office at Garage Collective<\/a>, we work with the lights off unless absolutely necessary (luckily, we have abundant daylight!) and we use public transport<\/a> on the regular. Another business passionate about incorporating sustainability<\/a> into its day-to-day is Kohler, but they take it to the next level by designing innovative products for developing countries, whose new technologies are often implemented into the firm’s retail offerings, such as toilets, showers, kitchens and more. We talked to Rob Zimmerman, Director of Sustainability and WaSH to find out more.<\/p>\n

A discussion with Rob Zimmerman from Kohler about sustainable living<\/h2>\n

Hi, Rob. Thanks for talking to us about such an interesting topic. Can you tell us a little about your current role at Kohler and how that has changed over the years?<\/h3>\n
\"Rob
Rob Zimmerman began his life at Kohler as a senior engineer<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I\u2019m the Director of Sustainability & WaSH at Kohler Co. WaSH stands for Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene. Sustainability and WaSH at Kohler are closely connected because Kohler\u2019s commitment to sustainability includes designing products with ever-lower environmental impacts, and bringing safe water and proper sanitation to people will deliver significant environmental benefits in addition to positively impacting their economic, social and health conditions.<\/p>\n

I began my career at Kohler as a senior engineer for water-efficient plumbing products. As we expanded our sustainability programme, including launching our Net Zero 2035 sustainability strategy in 2008, I moved into a lead marketing role to grow sales of water-efficient products and became involved in setting and measuring our footprint reduction efforts and internal education and external advocacy. I added the WaSH programme responsibility earlier this year to lead development of solutions for people across the globe who do not have access to safe drinking water or hygienic, dignified sanitation.<\/p>\n

The brand is known for its innovation, whether that be through design, materials or functionality of products. What does WaSH bring to the table when it comes to global challenges around sanitation?<\/h3>\n
\"Rob
The Kohler Clarity safe water filtration system removes bacteria and parasites from water and is the first commercial product from the Innovation for Good programme<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We have the financial resources, technical capabilities and operational know-how to make a significant impact in the WaSH space because for 143 years we have manufactured high-performing, beautiful plumbing products that deliver water and address basic sanitary needs in the developed world. We are applying this knowledge towards finding solutions for populations at the base of the pyramid who lack basic water and sanitation infrastructure.<\/p>\n

Addressing global WaSH challenges requires us to innovate on many levels. In addition to product technology, innovation is needed in business models, supply chain, partnerships, and manufacturing. Not to be overlooked is product design. We\u2019ve learned that no matter where they live or what their economic status, people value product with great aesthetic designs that they are proud to have in their homes.<\/p>\n

In 2015 we launched the Kohler Clarity safe water filtration system and have partnered with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation on sanitation and waste treatment research since 2013. We have aligned our work with the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals and are working with additional partners. We believe our WaSH business will be strategically important to open access to new markets, so we don\u2019t view WaSH as a charity initiative. It\u2019s imperative we help the world address WaSH problems as a leader in the water and sanitation industry.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve visited Kohler, and what really struck me was the community vibe that resonates through the town – from inside the factory to at the American Club and beyond. How does that community spirit filter through to what you\u2019re working on at WaSH?<\/h3>\n
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A post shared by Kohler Wisconsin (@kohlerwi)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n