Ogilvy: FILSA Colombia’s Filter Caps

The scarcity of drinking safe water is an escalating issue in Colombia, where nearly 4 million residents in arid regions lack essential hydration resources.

Amidst this problem, Ogilvy Colombia, in partnership with FILSA, have developed 1,000 biodegradable "Filter Caps" that affix to bottles of water to make them safe for consumption. 

To maximise Filter Caps execution strategy, Ogilvy Colombia partnered with Baylor International and the Colombian Red Cross. The strong field experience that these major organisations provide, boosted this initiative by reaching vulnerable communities in need. 

The caps use layers of metals, minerals, and natural substrates to trap bacteria and impurities, finishing with a layer that mineralises the water. This process provides alkaline, mineralised, and hydrogen-rich water. The Filter Caps were created via 3D printing, using corn starch-based resin—a sustainable and biodegradable material—which considerably reduces dependence on conventional plastics.

The idea is now being launched as a great open-source solution for making safe water accessible to thousands of people.