007: Founding Partner of Liquid of Life, Rukhsana Kausar
In this episode, we talk to Rukhsana Kausar. She is one of the founding partners of Liquid of Life, a provider of drinking water solutions. After moving to the UAE, she made the transition from the legal industry and established Liquid of Life. She does a lot to promote and implement green initiatives in the private as well as public sectors. She was listed as one of the top 50 most influential people who is shaping the future of the facilities management industry in the GCC region, two years in a row.
During this episode, we take a look a look at how people are experiencing filtered water. Find out how people are reducing their water cost by 80% after installing a filter. We also talked about the benefits of filtered water for us as well as the environment.
Episode Highlights
[01:50] How did Rukhsana’s journey start?
[02:57] The thought was that perhaps I would go and join Greenpeace and get arrested, you know by protesting or like tie myself to trees.
[04:42] I find that you know as a result of increased awareness about the issues surrounding plastic pollution there is a drive towards looking at alternative solutions.
[05:54] What has helped even more recently are the global trends, so you have had very successful programs, such as Blue Planet.
[08:26] I think we do seem to have this warped sense of what convenience is.
[08:58] It is more convenient to actually have access to water all the time.
[09:53] The filters last 12 months, so no one is inconvenienced every couple of months by someone coming into their homes and changing filters.
[10:02] We do try to make things as hassle-free as possible to make that change as easy as possible.
[10:54] The starting point is for us to understand what the drinking water needs and requirements are, what the current costs are and then we look at the cost of implementing the filter drinking water systems and then the ongoing running costs.
[13:30] When we have done the taste test at some of our events, the majority of people do seem to prefer the filtered water.
[16:22] The filters are really designed so to remove impurities like any sediment particles that are in the water and chemicals like chlorine.
[20:56] Shower filters will not stop your hair from falling out. Hair loss is more complex than that. It depends on diet, stress if you are on certain medication where a side effect might be hair loss, your hormones, so there are lots of other contributory factors to hair loss.
[21:25] By removing the chemicals like chlorine from the shower water, you are also reducing the exposure that your skin has to chemicals because your skin is the largest organ in your body.
[27:34] Every time we buy something we are casting a vote for the place that or society that we want to live in and over the last eight years I have not bought a plastic water bottle.
Final Five
1.What is one social media platform that you follow?
2.What is your hope for mama earth going forward?
It is one of change and healing.
3.What advise can you give our crazy birds this week to help out mama earth?
Just look at some of the things that you are doing. Water is obviously something that we all need to have access to and there is still too much of a heavy reliance on plastic bottled water especially if you are living in cities or towns where you do have access to drinking water from your tap and it is relatively easy enough buy a filter and invest in a filter and in the long run it is going to save you money as well.
4.What is one sustainability fact that you like to use in a room with people not yet on a sustainability journey?
8.3 billion tons of plastic have been manufactured since the 1950’s. If you think that less than 10% of plastic globally have been recycled that is billions of tons. Some of it is still in circulation and we are still using some of them, but much of that plastic have ended up in the landfill and it has ended up in the oceans.
5.Where can people find you?
Key Take Away
“Every time we buy something we are casting a vote for the place that or society that we want to live in “
As a consumer, we have a very important role that we play. If we keep on purchasing single-use plastics manufacturers are going to continue to produce it to keep up with the demand. If we cast our vote against it and stop purchasing the items, the demand will decrease and they will produce less. So use your vote wisely and think how you cast it every day.
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About the author, Mariska
Hi, I’m Mariska – podcast host, artist, sustainability advocate and consultant, and storyteller driven by a deep passion for our planet. Sustainability isn’t just a topic I discuss; it’s a way of life I embody through my work, actions, and everyday choices.
My journey began several years ago when I started experimenting with trash as a medium in my artwork. What began as creative curiosity quickly turned into a deep dive into the environmental impact of waste. That curiosity expanded into a broader connection with nature—including a life-changing trek to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, where I found both clarity and purpose. It was there that I made the decision to leave the corporate world behind and commit fully to environmental work.
In 2018, I took that message public in the UAE by wearing every piece of trash I generated for 30 days. The result—65 kilograms of waste—sparked national conversations around sustainability and waste reduction. That bold experiment also became the catalyst for my podcast, Mama Earth Talk, where I’ve since connected with global thought leaders to explore sustainability and inspire meaningful action.
Over the years, I’ve collaborated with organizations such as Nespresso, Costa, and Dubai International Airport to implement practical and impactful environmental solutions. From optimizing waste management systems to leading awareness campaigns, I specialize in designing strategies that create real, lasting change.
My artwork—blending environmental advocacy with creative expression—has been collected by public figures including comedian Trevor Noah, environmentalist Adrian Grenier, entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk, radio host Kris Fade, Grammy Award-winning DJ Black Coffee, and NBA player Mason Plumlee. Through public speaking, podcasting, and art, I aim to inspire individuals and organizations to rethink their relationship with the environment.
With over a decade of international experience in design and project management across Australia, South Africa, the UK, India, and the UAE, I bring a unique mix of creativity and strategic insight to sustainability challenges. My global perspective allows me to collaborate across cultures, drive innovation, and empower others to make a meaningful impact.
As a lifelong learner and passionate advocate, I focus on practical, holistic solutions to environmental challenges—guided by systems thinking and a deep commitment to action. I hold a BA in Design, a postgraduate degree in Environmental Science, and a Master’s in Sustainable Design.