We know that brands are being held to a higher standard when it comes to sustainability and we know the word "sustainable" can be vague and used as one way to greenwash a product or brand, so we want to be transparent with you about our commitment to the planet and why sustainability actually matters to us.
We take our environmental responsibilities as humans and as a business seriously and believe companies should go the extra mile to instill sustainable practices in their business model. So what does this mean for us?
For starters, we’ve partnered with 1% for the Planet to donate 1% of our annual revenue. Madre Botanics launched in late 2021, and to date, we have donated $1,000 to 1% for the Planet and we are a certified member of their organization. Through our membership with 1% for the Planet, we have selected to donate 1% of our 2023 revenue to the Oregon-based, Ocean Blue Project.
Why we chose the Ocean Blue Project:
Madre Botanics is located in Oregon and we wanted to select an organization that was close to home so that we could donate our time through volunteer efforts in addition to our monetary donation.
We believe in the importance of marine life, beach cleanup, and the removal of plastics that contaminate our beaches and oceans. We also deeply care about the wellbeing of animals and any trash in our oceans poses a threat to marine life.
Our founder grew up along the California coast, where the beach was an integral part of her upbringing. As a kid, she sponsored an Orca whale through a non-profit. As a first-grader, she won a district-wide award for her essay on why we need to keep our oceans clean. Therefore, an organization that cares about marine life and safety, and helps to keep our planet and the ocean clean, seemed like the perfect fit.
Some facts about microplastics:
- 79% of all beach debris are made of plastics that birds can mistake for food
- 55% of America's waterways are in poor condition
- Over 8 million tons of plastic flow into our ocean every year
- By 2050 there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish
- Every dollar removes 1 pound of plastic
What are microplastics?
Think about all those pieces of plastic you've seen line storm drains. How about that plastic bottle buried deep beneath the sand? Or the beaded necklaces and plastic spoons discarded on a street curb after a parade? Where does it all go? Some of it ends up in the ocean. When plastic enters a storm drain it will make its way downstream to the ocean or beach. Plastics in our oceans pose a threat to marine life and water quality, and eventually (if not consumed by marine life), a water bottle or spoon will break down into tiny particles, known as microplastics, and will remain on our planet indefinitely.
What can be done?
Through donations, the Ocean Blue Project is developing a new ocean cleanup machine that can recover microplastics along United States beaches. But beyond just clean-up, this advanced technology can help to analyze the microplastics, helping to properly identify the plastics and provide insight so humans can potentially develop solutions to the root cause of the microplastic contamination in the first place.
We are a proud member of 1% for the Planet and look forward to sharing more info with you from the 2023 year. Stay tuned for an update from our participation in the June Newport Beach clean-up!
Learn more about 1% for the Planet and the Ocean Blue Project
