Faq
Hello!
Thank you for visiting this page.
If there are any questions we have not answered, please write to us at [email protected].
WHAT DOES AUARA MEAN?
(in Amharic, Ethiopian language) "Sandstorm that occurs in deserts such as Afar, the hottest and driest place on the planet".
WHAT IS THE SOCIAL IMPACT OF AUARA?
For every bottle of AUARA, 9 liters of drinking water are generated in developing countries.
As of November 2023, AUARA has brought drinking water to more than 102,000 people.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THE RPET TO BOTTLE YOUR WATER?
For us, sustainability is not an option or a CSR policy, but an absolute priority. It would not make sense to try to solve a social problem such as water, without taking into account the environmental impact of our activity.
We are the only brand with the only packaging in our country 100% recycled, 100% recyclable.
For each bottle of AUARA, one plastic bottle is recycled.
WHAT IS AUARA DOING TO FIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE?
In our opinion there are 4 problems:
- The enormous amount of plastic that we continue to manufacture and put into circulation.
- That plastic ends up in nature.
- The measurement that is made of the CO2 impact of each of the packages, which is not calculated from the time the material is manufactured until the end of its life cycle, inducing error.
- The amount of communication that exists about packaging, which is not clear or based on official studies.
What do we do from AUARA?
- The enormous amount of plastic we continue to manufacture and put into circulation. By using Rpet, we do not manufacture new plastic but use the plastic that already exists, saving oil.
- That plastic ends up in nature. We give value to plastic waste so that it does not end up where it should not, turning it into new products. With regard to subsequent recycling, rPET can be recycled practically infinitely, something that does not happen with many other brands that apply dyes to the bottle that make it useless for making new bottles, but it can be used for other purposes such as textiles, automobile components, urban furniture, etc.
- The measurement that is made of the CO2 impact of each of the packages, which is not calculated from the time the material is manufactured until the end of its life cycle, inducing error.
- R-PET/GLASS: Although there is a certain notion that glass is a more sustainable packaging because it is of mineral origin, the truth is that the energy required for its manufacture is much higher than in the case of PET, and being a much heavier material, it has a much greater impact on the logistics process. It emits a CO2 footprint +87% than RpetAUARA.
- R-PET/PET: The use of recycled material (R-PET) in packaging also represents a considerable improvement in environmental impact compared to standard PET, not only from the point of view of CO2 footprint reduction, but also because it means giving a second use to plastic and avoids the extraction of new fossil resources. It emits a CO2 footprint +16% more than RpetAUARA.
- R-PET/BRICK: No comparative studies have been found between brick and R-PET packaging under the same parameters. When contrasting studies from different sources, the conclusion is that the impact on CO2 footprint is similar, but the brick packaging presents significant difficulties of recyclability, as it is a multilayer packaging (up to 6 layers of cardboard, plastic and aluminum glued) very difficult to separate. When we consulted the main national recycling company, they advised us against the use of this type of packaging for this reason.
- The amount of communication that exists about packaging, which is not clear or based on official studies.
The data we offer correspond to:
*Study "Comparative life cycle assessment of PET and RPET bottles" for AUARA. Instituto Tecnológico de la Energía (ITE) Valencia, 2016.
* Study by Ademe, French public agency, for APPE Iberia, on CO2 footprint emissions in glass containers, PET and R-PET.
WHAT AREAS DOES AUARA WORK IN?
AUARA carries out projects in developing countries, in areas where the lack of drinking water is a daily reality. Fight against the greatest poverty that exists: the lack of drinking water that affects more than 700 million people around the world.
As of November 2023, AUARA has implemented 150 drinking water access infrastructures in 23 countries.
WHAT PROJECTS DOES AUARA CARRY OUT?
AUARA's objective is to put water where it is needed by building infrastructure for access to drinking water such as underground wells or rainwater collection tanks (so that seasonal torrential rainfall in some areas can supply these populations throughout the year), as well as sanitation systems (latrines, baths and showers) that favour the maintenance of healthy hygiene levels.
WHO'S BEHIND AUARA?
AUARA is made up of young entrepreneurs (some of age and others of spirit). We're completely independent. There's no big groups, no lobbies, nothing like that.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN THAT AUARA DESTINES 100% OF DIVIDENDS TO SOCIAL PROJECTS?
For transparency, they have used the term DIVIDENDOS, because it is the most accurate and clear economic concept for consumers and media, and represents the available quantities that a company can distribute to its shareholders, after using the necessary resources to be able to operate and sell their products and services in the market.
In AUARA, 100% of the available profit will be used to finance social projects. AUARA will make donations to selected organizations for projects that have been selected and raised together. AUARA does not finance NGOs, it finances concrete projects.
HOW CAN YOU ENSURE THAT DIVIDENDS ARE ACTUALLY ALLOCATED TO PROJECTS?
AUARA, has been the first Spanish company certified by Social Enterprise Mark. A social enterprise, under the qualification criterion of social enterprise Mark, is characterized by complying with at least 5 main requirements:
- Have very clear social and/or environmental objectives recognized at the highest level of the organization (within the company's corporate purpose, bylaws and partner agreements).
- Be a private and independent company, without there being any group or organization that can influence in a relevant way the decision making.
- At least 50% of its income comes from commercial activities.
- That more than 50% of the profits are dedicated to the fulfillment of the social or environmental objectives defined in the company.
- That in case of dissolution of the company, the residual assets of the enterprise are invested in projects destined to cover the social or environmental objectives of the company.
As a social enterprise, and through a pact of its founders before a notary, certifies that it does not distribute dividends to its shareholders or workers, but that 100% of them will be destined to their social projects. In addition, the accounts of AUARA Social Enterprise are audited every year and will be published. Transparency has to be our big gun. In the medium term, in addition, AUARA Social Enterprise aims to become a foundation and therefore to abide obligatory in all control systems.
WHAT IS THE MODEL OF AUARA'S PROJECTS?
Our project development model is to work with local partners in specific projects, planteándolos together with them, controlling quality, budgets, monitoring, etc. We do not make a donation and we forget, but we want to know where each euro goes and we try to make it the best employee possible.
These local partners are organizations that we specifically select for their great knowledge of local needs; Because they have been working in these places for years and are already part of the local population; Because they have a previous experience in water projects that have been successful and have had a great impact; Because they know the countries well and how to operate in them; And above all, because they are organizations that have a vocation to stay. That within 4 years they will be there to report an error, a break or a problem in any installation. Africa is a continent full of wells or other damaged hydraulic infrastructures. It is a drama to see the amount of wells that do not work and need only a minor repair, and this is not so much a problem of lack of investment as management and follow-up. For AUARA, follow-up is the most important thing.
More information in: https://AUARA.org/pages/proyectos
WHY ARE PROJECTS CARRIED OUT OUTSIDE SPAIN AND NOT HERE?
Because in places like Ethiopia we have encountered a reality that does not exist in Spain, that of people who do not have their basic rights covered. They do not have clean water to drink and so they get sick, they have no bread to eat because it does not rain and can not water the fields, they can not wash and have a hygiene, they can not go to school because they have to go to fetch water...
In Spain there are many people in very difficult situations, and we live social dramas every day. We believe that it takes a great social commitment with those who live in these situations close to us, but we also know that there are people in faraway places who live in extreme poverty, who do not even have water to drink, and we believe that also with them We have a responsibility. It is not better to help here or there, the important thing is that there is a commitment to improve our world. Our commitment is to the poorest.
WHAT IS THE PROFIT MARGIN PER BOTTLE?
We do not set a margin per bottle. We believe it is more honest to link our ability to do social projects to our ability to manage Auara as a social enterprise and make it profitable. We could say that X cents per bottle has a social purpose, or that half of the price has a social purpose, but we prefer to guarantee that all (100%) of the dividends that AUARA generates as a competitive company in the market (investing a little in marketing, paying operating expenses, paying reasonable salaries...) goes to our projects. The X cents per bottle may mean that next year the company will be unable to compete in the market, or on the contrary, margins will skyrocket and in addition to giving X cents, the members of AUARA Social Enterprise are becoming millionaires. 100% is a total, transparent and long-term commitment.
Our intention is to generate a sustainable, competitive and replicable business model, so that other people can consider setting up social enterprises.
WHAT LEVEL OF TRANSPARENCY IS THERE IN PROJECT INVESTMENTS?
Everyone we can give. Not only will the AUARA accounts be audited and published, but we'll give the consumer the opportunity to know the status of the projects he supports with AUARA through our website. How much they cost (with disaggregated budgets), where they are located, with which local partner they are carried out, to how many people serve...
WHAT SALARIES DOES A SOCIAL ENTERPRISE HAVE?
AUARA's intent is to pay for dignified and competitive wages. We want to have great professionals doing a great job, and for that, we have to repay in a competitive way. But it is clear that AUARA is not going to make anyone rich (in the economic sense). We will try to make sure that all those who work in Auara are rich, because in addition to a dignified salary, they have enormous satisfaction. We aspire to work in a social enterprise and be doing something good for your world is more attractive than just a big salary. We will not be able to compete with the huge salaries of large companies, but we offer other types of wealth.
FAQS ONLINE PURCHASE
FORMS OF PAYMENT
The User may pay by credit or debit card Visa, Visa Electron, Mastercard or bank transfer. To minimize the risk of unauthorized access, the User's credit card details will be encrypted. Whether payment is made by credit or debit card, the charge will be made at the time AUARA sends the Shipping Confirmation to the User.
Value Added Tax (VAT)
The applicable VAT rate shall be the one legally in force at any time depending on the particular product in question.
WARRANTY
All products contained in the website are original AUARA. All of them have a guarantee of two (2) years according to the criteria and conditions described in the Royal Legislative Decree, 1/2007, of 16 November, by which approves the consolidated text of the General Law for the defense of the consumers and users and other law It's complementary.
The products shall be deemed to conform to the conditions of use provided that they comply with all the requirements as stated below:
They conform to the description made by AUARA and possess the qualities of the product that AUARA has presented to the user in the form of a sample or model.
are suitable for the uses which ordinarily target products of the same type.
are suitable for any special use required by the user when he has made it known to AUARA, provided that AUARA has admitted that the product is suitable for such use.
Present the standard quality and performance of a product of the same type as the user can expect, taking into account the nature of the product.
In the event of being tested that the product does not conform to the established specifications, AUARA will proceed, where appropriate, to the repair, replacement, price decline or resolution of the contract being such free management for the user.
AUARA is not responsible for damage to products that may result from misuse, as well as acts or omissions of the user that do not conform to the specifications of each product or damages caused by third parties that are not linked to AUARA.
AUARA puts the utmost care in carrying out the presentation and description of the products. However, the photographs of the products are presented in an illustrative manner. To know the precise characteristics of each product, you must check the corresponding descriptive data that accompanies each product.
RETURNS
Return or replacement of defective products
In the event that the User considers that the Product does not conform to the specifications established for such Product, he/she should contact AUARA immediately via email to the contact address [email protected] providing the details of the Product, as well as informing of the defect and whether you choose to return or replace it with an identical Product.
The User may return the Products, at the place where they were delivered, to a courier that AUARA will send or return the Product by their own means. Once the relevant inspection of the returned Product has been carried out, AUARA will send, within a reasonable period of time, an email to the User informing him/her whether the Product is to be returned or replaced (the "Return or Replacement Decision"). In such case, the return or replacement of the Product will be made as soon as possible and, in any case, within fourteen (14) calendar days from the date of sending the Return or Replacement Decision. In the event that the return or replacement proceeds, AUARA will fully reimburse the User the price of the Product including shipping costs in any case, within fourteen (14) days from the date of dispatch of the Decision to Return or Replacement.
If the User has opted for replacement, AUARA will bear all shipping costs.
Provisions common to returns
The user must fulfil the following requirements to make use of the right of withdrawal, as well as to be able to make returns and replacement of products:
In order to arrange for the collection of the Product, the User must previously To exercise this right, the User must send AUARA an e-mail addressed to [email protected]The "Withdrawal Request", which is delivered with the Order, must be duly filled in.
(ii) The user may certify the exercise of the right of withdrawal in any form admitted in law, considering in any case validly exercised by the return of the product;
(iii) The product must be returned in the same condition as in which it was received. AUARA will not reimburse any amount if the product has suffered any damage, so the user must be careful with the product while in possession; And
(iv) The refund will be made in the same means of payment that the User used to pay for the Product.