Ohio's Impact Economics, Greif develop PE water backpack as alternative to makeshift items people in developing nations typically use to carry water; PackH2O helping more than 3,000 families in Haiti, Guatemala, Kenya

Graziela Medina Shepnick

COLUMBUS, Ohio , August 6, 2012 (press release) – Developed by Greif, Inc. and Impact Economics, PackH2O Currently Helping More than 3,000 Families in Haiti, Guatemala, and Kenya Transport Clean Water Home

Impact Economics, in partnership with Greif, Inc., GEF +0.34% will showcase PackH2O- a water backpack- at the second annual World Business Council for Sustainable Development (US Midwest) Conference from Aug. 1-2.

PackH2O is a low-cost, durable water backpack that addresses the "Achilles' Heel" of the global clean water challenge - the human transport of clean water from access point to home in developing economies. More than 3,000 families in Haiti, Guatemala, Kenya and Uganda currently use PackH2O to easily carry up to 20 liters of clean water from access point to home.

"Water risk is a significant issue for companies - but just getting water home is a daily hardship for more than one billion people worldwide," said Tony Somers, COO of Impact Economics based in Columbus, Ohio. "Companies committed to sustainability know that solutions like PackH2O can help people live better lives and create better health outcomes. We are pleased to partner with Greif to showcase PackH2O at the WBCSD [US] Midwest Conference."

Impact Economics partners with leading NGOs, foundations and mission-oriented organizations to distribute PackH2O and to create micro-business opportunities by supporting local communities to assemble PackH2O where it is being used.

PackH2O has become an easy-to-distribute alternative to jerry cans and buckets, make-shift items that people in developing nations typically use to carry household water. One billion people face the daily hardship of traveling to find water for personal needs. Women and children in developing nations carry household water an average of 3.5 miles per day.

Designed by leading industrial packaging manufacturer Greif, Inc., PackH2O is made of flexible polyethylene with a puncture-resistant outer shell and a removable plastic liner that is sanitized by sunlight. The water backpack shifts the weight of the water to the shoulders, relieving the pressure on the head and spine.

PackH2O will be demonstrated on Aug. 2 at the WBCSD US Midwest Meeting, which will convene more than 135 sustainability experts from 70 leading organizations, such as Battelle, Clean Water America Alliance, Dow Chemical Company, Kimberly-Clark Corporation, SC Johnson, Veiola Water, North America and Greif.

About Impact Economics and PackH2O

One billion people face the daily hardship of traveling to find water for personal needs. The mission of the social-entrepreneurs at Columbus, Ohio-based Impact Economics is to alleviate the "Achilles' Heel" of the global clean water challenge. PackH2O is designed to ease that burden and help improve and save lives. PackH2O is a lightweight, low-cost, durable water backpack that is easing the burden of human water transport in developing countries. PackH2O was designed by Greif Inc., Impact Economics LLC and with the help of Greif's partnerships, The Clinton Global Initiative, ProDev & Partners in Health. Working together, these partners are committed to distribute PackH2O to water-stressed regions. Individuals and organizations can help by purchasing a PackH2O for other families at www.packH2O.com

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