Cannes Lions

Filter Caps

OGILVY COLOMBIA, Bogotá / FILSA COLOMBIA / 2024

Awards:

1 Gold Cannes Lions
1 Bronze Cannes Lions
8 Shortlisted Cannes Lions
Presentation Image
Case Film
Supporting Content

Overview

Entries

Credits

Overview

Background

Situation: In Colombia, over 3.7 million people lack access to safe drinking water, with remote regions like La Guajira facing extreme heat and inadequate infrastructure, leading to health issues and malnutrition.

Brief: Develop a practical and innovative solution to provide clean water in Colombia, focusing on vulnerable communities like the Wayuu in La Guajira.

Objectives: To address the immediate water needs of underserved communities, promote health and well-being, and inspire broader community and stakeholders' engagement in addressing the water crisis.

Idea

Filter Caps transforms a universal bottle cap into a portable water treatment plant, offering a simple yet effective solution to the global water crisis through innovative technology and a unique mix of materials. Easily produced and distributed on a large scale, Filter Caps are accessible to remote communities worldwide. Its universal and portable design ensures scalability, reaching areas where more expensive and complex filters cannot. By halving the costs of diarrhea treatment, it effectively reduces waterborne diseases and improves overall health and well-being. Additionally, it's environmentally responsible: the casing, 3D printed from cornstarch-based material, is fully compostable after use. As a result, Filter Caps not only addresses a viral global issue but also has the potential to be a game-changer for the water treatment industry by offering a cost-effective and sustainable solution that can be implemented on a large scale.

Strategy

Access to clean water remains a critical issue globally, particularly in remote and underserved communities. Despite the availability of various water purification technologies, many solutions are either too costly or technically complex for widespread adoption in these areas.

A water treatment plant in a simple cap, emphasizes the product’s unique ability to transform a regular bottle cap into a cost-effective, portable, and environmentally friendly water treatment device, making safe water accessible to all.

Targeting consumers in remote areas, environmental organizations, NGOs and key stakeholders.

Instructional videos, and blog posts shared widely on social media to highlight the product’s effectiveness and simplicity. We also send tailored press releases and media kits to health and environmental journalists to secure broad coverage. Additionally, community engagement through in-field demonstrations and workshops showcases the practical benefits of Filter Caps, while partnerships with major NGOs enhance our credibility and reach.

Execution

The execution of the Filter Caps initiative involves a comprehensive plan to manufacture, distribute, and deploy biodegradable water filters. This implementation is carried out through collaborative efforts between Filsa, Baylor International, and the Red Cross, ensuring efficient production and distribution processes. The initiative spans one year, starting with the initial distribution of filters to targeted communities, such as Centro Alto in Sopó, Cundinamarca, and aims to reach approximately 10,000 individuals across various regions of Colombia. The placement strategies prioritize areas with the greatest need for safe drinking water to ensure effective distribution and community outreach. The initiative's scale is significant, initially impacting thousands in Colombia, Brazil, and Argentina, with aspirations for global expansion to potentially reach millions worldwide in need of safe water.

Outcome

The Filter Caps initiative by Filsa has shown remarkable results, providing over 10,000 people with safe drinking water and recovering 300,000 liters for consumption annually. It is estimated to filter 1,825,000 liters each year, demonstrating significant scalability and reach across countries like Brazil, Argentina, and beyond. This cost-effective solution offers substantial value to consumers by reducing the expenses associated with treating waterborne diseases such as diarrhea. The economic advantage also translates into positive business impacts, driving sales, enhancing stakeholder engagement, opening new market opportunities, and bolstering Filsa’s reputation as a leader in sustainable and innovative water purification technology. This initiative not only meets immediate needs but also lays the foundation for long-term environmental and community health benefits.