Did You Know?
We need about 1.6 planets to provide the resources for our consumption and absorb our waste. By the mid 2030s we will need 2 planets.* We only have one!
Thank you to all of our trusted nonprofit partners who are creating positive impact each and every day. This month we are focusing on the issue of pollution, highlighting the people and programs working towards a toxic-free and zero-waste world.
Here are 10 notable nonprofits in our network representing this issue area – plus don’t miss our profile of Sure We Can, who not only helps keep New York City’s streets clean but also has a strong social mission.
Keep a Breast: Non-Toxic Revolution
Where to find their impact: Internationally
Their focus: Non-Toxic Revolution – a program of Keep A Breast – informs, educates, and inspires young people to revolt against the dangers of toxic chemicals in their environment and food supply – especially those linked to the initiation of breast cancer.
Check out: Their nontoxic guides were created so you can easily check for toxic ingredients in the products you use. http://www.nontoxicrevolution.org/
PLAN: Post Landfill Action Network
Where to find their impact: USA
Their focus: PLAN helps college students reduce waste in their campus communities by supporting the implementation of waste-reduction initiatives, educating students about the waste crisis, and helping universities address wasteful institutional practices. They are helping to build zero-waste campuses and working towards a zero-waste world.
Check out: February 22, 2018 marks the kick off of their 13 campus Points of Intervention College Tour, with events focused on challenging the linear consumption economy, from extraction and pipelines to exploitative manufacturing and careless disposal.
Plastic Bank
Where to find their impact: Internationally
Their focus: The Plastic Bank creates social and environmental impact in areas with high levels of poverty and plastic pollution by turning plastic waste into a currency.
Check out: The Ted Talk by their Founder and CEO, David Katz, is a must watch. Request a Discovery Session to determine how you can offset your own plastic footprint by purchasing Social Plastic for use in manufacturing, contributing to their off-set incentive programs, or by supporting the expansion of our global recycling ecosystems.
Recycle Across America
Where to find their impact: USA
Their focus: Their mission is to implement society-wide standardized labels on bins to help society recycle right, and subsequently make recycling and the use of recycled materials in manufacturing a societal norm.
Check out: Do you “recycle right?” Use this resource to assess your knowledge; and if you’re interested in setting up a successful recycling program in your home or office, download their free toolkit.
http://www.recycleacrossamerica.org/
Restart Project
Where to find their impact: United Kingdom
Their focus: The Restart Project is a London-based social enterprise that encourages and empowers people to use their electronics longer in order to reduce waste.
Check out: Want to learn more about Bitcoin’s impact on the environment? How various medical technology can be used in the body? Interested in learning how to repair various gadgets? Tune in to Restart Radio, a podcast hosted by Restart Project where they talk to all sorts of people: expert and amateur repairers, designers, writers, thinkers, activists, and makers.
https://therestartproject.org/
River Network
Where to find their impact: USA
Their focus: River Network empowers and unites people and communities to protect and restore rivers and other waters that sustain all life. They believe that everyone should have access to affordable, clean water and healthy rivers.
Check out: River Rally, hosted annually by River Network, is a conference for river and water champions. Unique in its focus on providing practical education, inspiring courage, and celebrating achievements, River Rally brings together hundreds of people from across the world.
Sierra Club
Where to find their impact: USA
Their focus: Founded by legendary conservationist John Muir in 1892, the Sierra Club is now the nation’s largest grassroots environmental organization – with three million members and supporters. Their successes ranges from protecting millions of acres of wilderness to helping pass the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and Endangered Species Act.
Check out: Sierra Club of Hawaii Maui Chapter’s #OxybenzoneFreeMaui campaign. Studies have shown that active ingredients in chemical-based sunscreen, such as oxybenzone and octinoxate, cause major coral stress. Sierra Club Maui, along with other partners, proposed a first draft of a bill banning chemical sunscreens which was passed in the Maui County Council in December 2017. Every bill must be passed by a majority of council two times before it becomes law and the 2nd reading will likely happen by March 2018. One more vote and Maui could be the first place in the world to prohibit the sale and use of oxybenzone.
Sure We Can
Where to find their impact: New York, NY
Their focus: Sure We Can is committed to the education and promotion of a circular economy, where waste is transformed as a viable resource and the loop of materials is closed through collection, recycling, and composting.
Check out: Their unique social impact means they also serve the diverse community of canners. Get inspired by the Sure We Can story: Everyone Counts.
Take 3
Where to find their impact: Australia
Their focus: The beauty of the Take 3 message lies in its simplicity: Take 3 pieces of rubbish with you when you leave the beach, waterway or…anywhere and you’ve made a difference. Pick it up. Bin it. #Take3fortheSea
Check out: Founded by surfers and environmentalists, their programs not only focus on educational opportunities in schools, but also outreach via surf clubs and life saving organizations.
Toxic-Free Future
Where to find their impact: Washington State
Their focus: Toxic-Free Future advocates for the use of safer products, chemicals, and practices through advanced research, advocacy, grassroots organizing, and consumer engagement to ensure a healthier tomorrow.
Check out: With advocacy efforts backed by science, view their list of “Chemicals of Concern” and what you can do to avoid these through conscious consumerism. Live in Washington and want to take action? View their current advocacy campaigns and consider adding your name to one (or all) of the petitions.
This article first published on: https://www.onepercentfortheplanet.org/what-we-do/our-stories/6/265
