Celebrating Global Handwashing Day: Clean Water for Healthier Communities : Starbucks Stories Asia

2 min read
October 14, 2025

On Global Handwashing Day, Starbucks reaffirms its commitment to creating a positive impact in the communities we serve. Handwashing is one of the simplest yet most powerful ways to prevent disease and promote health—but for billions of people, access to clean water remains a challenge.

That’s why The Starbucks Foundation partners with Planet Water Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to bringing clean water access and hygiene education to communities in need. Since 2011, hundreds of Starbucks partners (employees) have helped install AquaTowers—community-based water filtration systems—in schools across 12 markets globally. Each AquaTower provides safe drinking water for up to 1,800 people every day, transforming lives by reducing waterborne illnesses and enabling better hygiene practices.

This initiative goes beyond providing clean water as it also supports education and empowerment through community engagement. Alongside the installation of AquaTowers, Starbucks partners conduct hygiene education programs, teaching youth, their families and communities the importance of handwashing and clean water for a healthier future.

“It’s a meaningful experience for me to build the 10th AquaTower in celebration of our 10th anniversary in Cambodia, as we continue to provide clean and safe water to the communities we serve,” said Navy a store manager with Starbucks Cambodia.

This year, The Starbucks Foundation supported Planet Water Foundation to provide access to clean, safe drinking water and handwashing stations for communities in Asia Pacific, including Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. These impactful investments and meaningful community connections are helping to create healthier outcomes and more resilient futures for communities.