Unilever constructed Surf Labahan, a filtration system that recycles grey water using debris left behind by typhoon Haiyan. Typhoon Haiyan destroyed entire communities in the central Philippine provinces of Samar and Leyte, and water supply in all affected areas was limited and sporadic.

Surf Labahan generates approximately 153 liters of recycled water per day for laundry use, so the limited supply of fresh water could be used for drinking and cooking instead. With simple technology, Surf was able to make every drop of water count, making laundry sustainable, one wash at a time.

The marketing plan started on the fourth quarter of 2013 and went through a thorough research where to do the pilot installation. When the area of Tacloban was hit hard by typhoon Haiyan, it was an opportunity to help the affected areas stand up once again. Thus, we launched the pilot installation of Surf Labahan providing accessible clean water resource for washing their clothes and having a conducive area to bond together.

With the cooperation of the teams behind this project, Surf Labahan ran according to what was planned.

34% of the community of Barangay Union Coastal in Mayorga, Tacloban changed their laundry habits to make grey water usable again.

This project also enhanced the brand’s environmental credentials and created a situation that was conducive to greater product usage.

The mothers and the people in the community were provided with an accessible basic need which is a clean source of water for washing clothes.

It has affected public perception more deeply than any paid advertisement or simple press releases.