The Water Footprint of Everyday Products

There are numerous items in your home that contain a lot of “water in virtual form,” which refers to the amount of water that is used in the growing, preparation, and delivery of these products. One cup of coffee consumes an approximate amount of 140 liters of water, while a T-shirt made of cotton uses about 2,700 liters of water.
What Do Footprints Include?
Footprints consist of three main types of water: green water, blue water, and grey water. Approximately 85% of the global water footprint comes from agricultural products, and in terms of beef, green water accounts for over 93%.
Which Products Stand Out?
The average water footprint of beef equals 15,500 liters per kilogram. Tea requires around 30 liters of water per cup, and one egg weighs heavy on water, equal to 200 liters. An average smartphone requires around 12,000 liters of water, while jeans are estimated to take at least 8,000 and up to 10,000 liters of water to produce.
Why Do Numbers Vary?
The presented figures are only an approximation based on global averages, which show how much water different products take for production. These figures vary due to the climate conditions, irrigation techniques, and technologies of production that are used in different countries.
Related Reads You May Like
How healthy is our soil?
See why healthy soil is running out.
How do you recycle electronics safely?
Follow this everyday checklist.
What is the hidden cost of battery metals?
Read about lithium mining.
Is India’s monsoon changing?
Read how climate change is reshaping the monsoon.
Is sand really running out?
Explore why the world is short of sand.



