- Todd Wasserman

Reckitt Benckiser, maker of Airwick, Clearasil and French's mustard, among other brands, is launching a global program to help consumers reduce their carbon footprints.

The program, called Our Home, Our Planet and to be initiated in the U.S. in the second half of 2009, includes a global campaign to "educate consumers about how to reduce the carbon emissions of their products while saving money," according to a press release from the company.

The company cited internal analysis that showed 60 to 70 percent of the company's total carbon footprint came from consumer use.

To accomplish its previously stated goal of reducing its carbon emissions by 20 percent by 2020, the company has launched a Web site, www.ourhome-ourplanet.com, with tips for reducing consumption. For instance, to cut water usage, the site recommends using the dishwasher more since "a recent international study carried out by scientists at the University of Bonn in Germany found that modern dishwashers in all investigated European countries use less water and energy that washing up by hand whilst having better cleaning and more hygienic results."

To save energy when washing clothes, the site advises consumers to avoid using high-temperature washes.