Q&A with Alison Hill, CEO of Climate Neutral Certified Company, LifeStraw

We had the opportunity to speak with Alison Hill, CEO of Climate Neutral Certified company LifeStraw, about the company’s climate strategy, which encompasses climate justice initiatives and, most recently, their relief efforts in North Carolina following the devastation of Hurricane Helene.

Tell us a bit about LifeStraw.

LifeStraw is a Climate Neutral Certified B Corp that designs beautiful, simple and functional products to provide people with the highest protection from unsafe water. 

We began as a humanitarian effort over 25 years ago with the creation of a mesh straw filter, which has been instrumental in the near-eradication of Guinea worm disease. LifeStraw has grown into a pioneering force in water filtration technology and products, developing innovative and portable solutions across a spectrum of needs, from tackling tap water contamination in the United States to equipping travelers and adventurers with safe drinking water solutions to supporting humanitarian relief across the globe. 

Today, LifeStraw products are used in many countries across the globe, in schools, clinics, and households, as well as by outdoor enthusiasts and adventure travelers. They are regularly deployed to support communities impacted by emergencies or natural disasters requiring potable water. For every product purchased, a school child in need receives safe water for a year. LifeStraw is nearing a significant milestone of providing a year of safe drinking water to more than 10 million school children worldwide.

Climate change has intensified water scarcity, contamination, and access issues worldwide. By addressing these challenges, LifeStraw is working on the critical link between safe water and climate resilience.

LifeStraw’s story shows how impact-driven brands can tackle global issues head-on with products that improve climate resilience, and a sustainability program that reduces the negative climate impacts of their business.

Can you share a bit about LifeStraw’s Climate Action Journey? 

For LifeStraw, sustainability goes hand-in-hand with our mission to provide safe water solutions to communities around the world. I’m proud of the work that we do to constantly improve our processes, partner with forward-thinking climate projects, and hold ourselves accountable towards making a difference.

We have proactively taken several climate actions to enhance our environmental sustainability. Since 2019, LifeStraw has partnered with Change Climate to measure our carbon footprint across Scopes 1, 2, and 3 emissions. Our ambitious goals include reducing Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 50% and Scope 3 emissions by 30% by 2030. This aligns with the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C pathway, showcasing how business leaders can act as stewards of climate progress.

Some other key actions LifeStraw has undertaken include:

Sustainable Product Design: Creating durable, reusable filters that minimize reliance on single-use plastics.

Eco-Friendly Packaging: Using recyclable and compostable materials to reduce waste.

Supply Chain Optimization: Collaborating with suppliers to improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions.

Renewable Energy: Transitioning facilities to renewable energy sources and enhancing energy efficiency.

Tell us about the relief efforts in North Carolina. 

Alongside many of my colleagues, I traveled to Western North Carolina—where I grew up—following the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. Walking through these familiar communities, now deeply affected by flooding, has been both heartbreaking and personal. These are the communities that shaped me, and seeing them struggle to access something as basic as safe water has brought a new sense of urgency to our work.

We have been working with local fire and rescue, local community organizations and individuals working to reach some of the hardest-hit areas, including Yancey, Avery, Mitchell and Buncombe counties. These filters have been crucial in areas where safe water will be challenging for months. The help of the LifeStraw community through products and dollars raised is making a profound impact. 

I worked in these communities with many of the folks I grew up with and watched the resilience of my own friends and family come to life in the aftermath of this hurricane. I watched my mom work all day on her skid steer to repair their collapsed road so vehicles could access neighbors. I met a boy I used to babysit who now, as an adult, was organizing emergency relief products and services through the elementary school I used to attend. I met a woman who built a ladder down a ravine to allow her and her neighbors to climb down and access water. To say it was humbling is an understatement, and to express how proud I am of the people I grew up with is nearly impossible. 

Thanks to generous donations, we’ve distributed nearly 3,500 products to provide safe water for an estimated 25,500 people per day. These include large purifier systems like the LifeStraw Max and LifeStraw Community for people going to churches or community centers for help, LifeStraw Home pitchers and dispensers for folks without access to safe water in their homes and personal bottle and straw filters for individual use.

Our LifeStraw team continues to partner with several local and national organizations to distribute water filters and purifiers. From Asheville to Celo, South Toe, Spruce Pine, Pensacola, Cattail, Black Mountain, and Barnardsville, we’ve set up purification systems and provided hands-on training to ensure long-term access to safe water.

For many of these families, access to safe water has been challenging for months. While we focus on immediate relief, we are committed to long-term solutions for this community and others who will face disasters like this in the future. The road ahead is tough, but the strength and unity of these communities inspire us every day.

Can you highlight any particular stories or interactions that stood out to you during your time in North Carolina?

Explaining what it was truly like there is difficult—words and even video can’t fully capture the reality on the ground. I recently shared a video on my LinkedIn here. It offers a glimpse of what these communities face, but the real understanding of this situation comes from our conversations with families, community members, and first responders. The resilience of these people, their stories, and the connections we’ve made in the aftermath of this disaster are truly remarkable.

How do you see climate change affecting water systems?

Climate change is reshaping water systems worldwide. Rising temperatures and shifting weather patterns are causing more extreme droughts, floods, hurricanes,  and contamination events. Vulnerable communities often bear the brunt of these impacts, highlighting the intersection of water access, climate justice, and public health. As climate-related disasters grow more frequent, they expose the vulnerability of our water sources. These events underscore our commitment to helping affected communities access potable water quickly and sustainably.  

What are some thought leadership initiatives that you have undertaken to raise awareness about climate justice?

I’m a proactive and dedicated advocate for climate action in several ways, and I work to: 

• Endorse climate solutions campaigns.
• Engage with the U.S. Congress and administration officials, and participate in government meetings on local and national levels. 
• Lead many of LifeStraw's initiatives to create products from sustainable materials, reduce single-use plastics, and implement sustainable packaging. 
• Champion LifeStraw initiatives, such as becoming a Climate Neutral Certified brand, measuring and offsetting our annual greenhouse gas emissions, and setting science-based targets to reduce emissions.
• Commit to sharing insights on the intersection of public health, climate change, and social impact through various platforms, including the LifeStraw blog, our company and my personal LinkedIn channels, when speaking at events and in editorial interviews. 

How does LifeStraw plan to continue addressing the impacts of climate change on most affected communities in the future?

Climate change disproportionately affects vulnerable communities, intensifying water access and public health challenges. Our commitment to addressing these impacts is unwavering, and we have outlined several strategic initiatives to continue supporting those most affected, including: 

• Expanding Safe Water Access: We will continue providing innovative water filtration solutions to communities facing water scarcity and contamination due to climate-induced events. Our Give Back program remains central to this effort, ensuring that for every product sold, a child in need receives safe drinking water for an entire year. 
• Enhancing Emergency Response: As climate-related disasters become more frequent, we are strengthening our capacity to respond swiftly. By collaborating with local and international partners, we aim to deliver critical resources, including water purifiers, to disaster-stricken areas within 72 hours. 
• Advocating for Climate Justice: Beyond our products, we actively advocate to address the root causes of climate change. We partner with organizations dedicated to climate action and participate in policy discussions to promote equitable solutions for affected communities. 
• Empowering Women and Girls: Recognizing that climate change disproportionately affects women and girls, particularly in areas with limited access to clean water, LifeStraw is committed to addressing the gender-specific challenges they face. We provide sustainable solutions like rainwater catchment systems and water tanks to reduce the physical and time burdens on girls, allowing them to stay in school. Additionally, through our SafiCycle program, we distribute reusable period products and provide education to ensure that girls can thrive and continue their education, even in the face of climate challenges.
• Investing in Community Resilience: We are developing programs that empower communities to build resilience against climate impacts. This includes education on water conservation, support for sustainable livelihoods, and initiatives that enhance local infrastructure to withstand environmental challenges.

For more information about Lifestraw’s sustainability initiatives initiatives visit explore.changeclimate.org/brand/lifestraw

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