Maintaining its influence in Sri Lanka for over 55 years, Dettol has established itself as a veritable household name. The brand furthers its hygiene promise with the 2019 iteration of the ‘Clean Hands, Clean Nation’ program, a three-pillared initiative, that focuses on proper waste disposal and management within Sri Lanka.
Due to injudicious waste disposal and management, a daily figure of 400 kg of plastic waste is generated within the country with one-third of this quantity being carelessly divvied up in drains, road side areas and waterways, which pollute our soil and the ocean. Dettol’s hygiene message has always focused on the family and its immediate living spaces while also inculcating the global message of the importance of hygiene to the younger generation.
The first pillar is where a conscious cleanup of Sri Lanka’s most polluted beaches will be spurred on with the placement of waste disposal bins. Along with the bins, clear signage and advisory boards will be placed across the beaches, urging the local community to be mindful of waste disposal and pollution.
Dettol will also construct river and canal strainers in order to limit the entry of solid waste into the sea. In addition, the brand will be pledging to fund 50 Beach Caretaker’s monthly wages across key locations, thereby extending its hands in support of the less fortunate within the local community.
The second pillar serves to reach out to 100,000 children whereby the message of good hygiene practices that prevent the spread of disease, education in waste management and overall environmental protection will be the main themes taught. Dettol will also reach out to the Sri Lankan public with this important message on various media platforms.
The final pillar is one where the focus will be on the more interior areas of the island, such as towns, cities, intersections and streets.
This effort will also garner the support of the local community to be more actively involved in cleaning and initiating garbage bin placements, along with programs of education.
The waste collected from the Negombo beach clean-up signifying the launch of the 2019 iteration of Dettol ‘Clean Hands, Clean Nation’.