SAO PAULO: The environmental organisation SOS Mata Atlantica is running a campaign to get Brazilians to pee in the shower to reduce water consumption and protect the environment.

"Xixi no Banho" or "Pee in the shower" is the name of the campaign which is making its point with funny videos and its own website.

"The environment is happy about the amount of water saved. Every flush of the loo uses around 12 litres of water. Flushing just once a day makes a total of 4,380 litres per year," said the organisation which is trying to protect the Mata Atlantica, the Atlantic rainforest.

The organisation is happy to allay any worries about hygiene. "Pee is made up of 95% water and around 5% other substances such as urea and salt." Nevertheless it is advisable to pee first and then shower, the organisation warns. In a short comic strip men, women, children, basketball players, ghosts and aliens are shown peeing behind a shower curtain. The musical message accompanying the campaign which started in May says: "Pee in the shower. Save the Atlantic rainforest".