Using the water footprint concept for water use efficiency labelling 
of consumer products: the Greek experience

Nydrioti, Ioanna; Grigoropoulou, Helen

dc.contributor.author	Nydrioti, Ioanna
dc.contributor.author	Grigoropoulou, Helen
dc.date.accessioned	2025-11-10T17:42:12Z
dc.identifier.uri	https://dspace.lib.ntua.gr/xmlui/handle/123456789/62829
dc.identifier.uri	http://dx.doi.org/10.26240/heal.ntua.30525
dc.rights	Default License
dc.subject	Water footprint	en
dc.subject	Water labelling	en
dc.subject	Consumer preferences	en
dc.subject	Water use efficiency	en
dc.subject	Green marketing driver	en
dc.title	Using the water footprint concept for water use efficiency labelling of consumer products: the Greek experience	en
heal.type	journalArticle
heal.dateAvailable	2026-11-09T22:00:00Z
heal.language	en
heal.access	embargo
heal.recordProvider	ntua	el
heal.publicationDate	2022-10-15
heal.bibliographicCitation	Nydrioti, I., Grigoropoulou, H. (2022) Using the water footprint concept for water use efficiency labelling of consumer products: The Greek experience. Environ Sci Pollut Res. https:// doi. org/ 10. 1007/ s11356- 022- 23573-w	en
heal.abstract	Freshwater is crucial for food supply, as irrigation water and as production or incorporated water in industrial production of consumer goods (e.g. food, cosmetics). Manufacturing industries follow different protocols and receive different certifications for water management and efficiency in their plants, which are also labelled on the packaging. Nowadays, consumers appear to be increasingly concerned about environmental challenges, therefore many sustainability labels have been developed (carbon, water, ecological footprint) to facilitate consumers to make more sustainable choices concerning their purchases. Consumers’ behaviour towards carbon footprint labels has been thoroughly examined in international literature; however, WF labelling stud ies are very limited. The key to water efficiency labelling in consumer products could be the water footprint (WF), as it measures the total volume of freshwater used to produce a product, over the full supply chain, including virtual water, “hidden” in the products, services and processes. The implementation of WF labelling of consumer products in Greece was investigated, using a questionnaire with demographical data and statements on water sustainability. The results indicate that younger consumers are not quite aware of environmental challenges related to water. According to the findings, WF could be an effective marketing driver towards water sustainability since consumers prefer a quantified label concerning water consumption, regardless of their educational level, and they are willing to pay an extra price for water sustainable products even if they have an unstable job. Manufacturers could then promote their sustainable profile and performance effectively by adopting a WF relevant labelling.	en
heal.publisher	Springer	en
heal.journalName	Environmental Science and Pollution Research	en
heal.journalType	peer-reviewed
heal.fullTextAvailability	false
dc.identifier.doi	https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-23573-w	el