"Reusablebags.com is true change agent. As pragmatic thought leaders they are changing mainstream society's consumption habits by waking people up to the follies of use-and-toss items and the wisdom of 'reusables.' An early member and ardent supporter of 1% for the Planet, they have been a true champion of social change & the triple bottom line movement. We are proud to have them as member."
-Terry Kellogg; Chief Executive Director, 1% For the Planet
Supporting like-minded non-profits committed to real change.
Our partnership with 1% For The Planet is representative of our dedication to the triple bottom line and protecting the environment. Joining the likes of Patagonia, Newman's Own and others each year we donate 1% of our sales -
more than $140,000 to date - to organizations devoted to the preservation & restoration of our natural environment.
Through 1%, we support nonprofits that are real "change agents" - making significant, positive impacts through their grassroots efforts. Our donations help them achieve their visions and represents another way we give back as a company...something that is core to
our mission.
In addition to our commitment to donate 1% of sales - we have also supported
hundreds of other grassroots organizations.
About 1% For The Planet
1% For The Planet is an alliance of businesses committed to leveraging their resources to create a healthier planet. Members recognize their responsibility to and dependence on a healthy environment and donate at least 1% of their sales (not just profits) to environmental organizations. The alliance aims to prove that taking environmental responsibility is good for business.
1% sprouted from the same soil as Patagonia, a peer we deeply respect. It started in 2001 with the goal of encouraging businesses to donate a portion of their sales to environmental groups. Since their first meeting, they have grown their membership to over 700 businesses with donations to over 1,500 environmental groups. (NOTE: In 2008 we donated $10,000
directly to 1% For The Planet to help them continue with their mission.)
To learn more about 1% FTP, visit
onepercentfortheplanet.org.
Donation Partners
Waterkeeper Alliance
Openlands
Save the Bay
Social Venture Network
Rainforest Action Network
Rainforest Alliance
New American Dream
Roots and Shoots
Surfrider Foundation
Seattle Green Bag Campaign
Waterkeeper Alliance
"Hann Baykeeper and its entire community would like to say THANK YOU to Reusablebags.com for its tremendous support of our clean waterways program in Hann Village, Senegal - Western Africa.
Your contribution will enhance Hann Baykeeper's leadership in the community by enabling us to develop a new internet cafe. This resource will dramatically increase our villagers' access to information and will provide us with the tools to pressure polluters to clean up our bay and return it to the fishing treasure it once was. We will conduct daily seminars to link our community to the rest of the world." - Hann Baykeeper; Waterkeeper Alliance
An international grassroots advocacy organization with 182 programs world-wide dedicated to preserving and protecting water from pollution.
To champion clean water and strong communities, Waterkeeper Alliance:
1. Supports and empowers member Waterkeeper organizations to protect communities, ecosystems and water quality;
2. Promotes the Waterkeeper model for watershed protection worldwide; and
3. Advocates for issues common to Waterkeeper programs.
The common thread for each Waterkeeper program is a full-time person who serves as the Waterkeeper, the public advocate for that body of water.
Waterkeepers are part investigator, scientist, lawyer, and advocate. Think of a Waterkeeper's "clients" as all the users of the watershed for which the Waterkeeper advocates. A successful advocate has a diverse bag of tools that allows her or him as the Waterkeeper to get the job done. All Waterkeepers also have a boat ranging in size from canoes to research vessels, but sometimes a pair of hip boots is more important than a boat. Sometimes a legal brief is more important than either. Each waterbody has its own unique challenges requiring a distinct and well-defined strategy.
Why we chose them:
Our donation of $10,000 to the Hann Baykeeper in Senegal, Africa, makes a tremendous impact in one community. With this donation, thousands of lives changed by having access to clean water -- providing something that most of us in the Western world take for granted.
Openlands
Founded in 1963, Openlands protects the natural and open spaces of northeastern Illinois and the surrounding region to ensure cleaner air and water, protect natural habitats and wildlife, and help balance and enrich our lives.
One of the nation's oldest and most successful metropolitan conservation organizations, Openlands has helped save, secure, and provide public access to more than 55,000 acres of land for prairies, wetlands, and greenway corridors, as well as parks, forest preserves, and urban gardens.
In addition to conserving land and waterways, Openlands conducts thoughtful research, advocates for sound conservation policies, and helps individuals and communities care for their open spaces.
Why we chose them:
We think supporting local efforts is essential and Openlands is an outstanding organization that's worked to preserve hundreds of miles of Illinois's rivers and creeks from development. They also work to ensure our waterways remain clean, safe, and accessible to the public. We love that Openlands encourages action on individual level - they provide advice and information to help individuals, community groups, and other organizations protect land and water for public enjoyment.
Save the Bay
"Save The Bay is thrilled by the generous donation from reusablebags.com for our outreach and education purposes. We are impressed by reusablebags.com fight since 2002 against the massive over-consumption of plastic shopping bags. Millions of plastic bags wind up in San Francisco Bay each year where they choke wetlands and poison wildlife. Through our new campaign, 'The Bay vs. The Bag' Save The Bay is working to eliminate plastic bag litter in California's waterways. We are grateful to have a supportive ally in reusablebags.com." - Jessica Castelli; Communications Director, Save the Bay
Save The Bay is the oldest and largest organization working exclusively to protect, restore and celebrate San Francisco Bay. As the Bay's leading champion since 1961, Save The Bay is committed to making the Bay cleaner and healthier for people and wildlife.
Save The Bay wages and wins effective advocacy campaigns to increase public access to the Bay, establish 100,000 acres of healthy wetlands around the Bay, and protect the Bay from today's greatest threats: pollution and urban sprawl.
Save The Bay educates nearly 10,000 students and adults on the Bay each year and engages volunteers to improve vital wetlands and subtidal habitats.
Why we chose them:
Plastic waste in oceans that threatens our environment, wildlife and our health is
an issue that we've been fighting to raise awareness about for years. Save The Bay is mobilizing thousands - fighting for legislation to ban or tax all single-use bags in the Bay Area and throughout California. Their efforts help curb the tidal wave of plastic bags that threaten our environment, waterways and shorelines - and inspire cities and countries around the world. We've also been an active supporter of Free Range Studios and their powerful, cause-related videos designed to effect change. Free Range and Save The Bay teamed up to
create the best video we've seen that wakes people up to plastic bag waste.
Social Venture Network
"Thank you for your generous support of Social Venture Network!" -Deborah Nelson; Executive Committee, Social Venture Network
Founded in 1987, Social Venture Network (SVN) is a community of more than 500 leaders - company founders, private investors, social entrepreneurs and key influencers - who share a commitment to building a just and sustainable world through business. The relationships and initiatives born within our network have ranged from lasting friendships to investment deals to founding organizations.
Through our network, its events, programs and technology-individual change-makers are able to deepen relationships and to work together with greater social impact. SVN inspires and supports action at three inter-related levels: individual, organizational and societal.
- Individual - SVN cultivates personal development by encouraging the expression of values through work and moving beyond leadership as traditional heroism or domination.
- Organizational - SVN fosters business partnerships that forge new models for social-purpose enterprise, particularly those that generate profitable opportunities in disenfranchised communities.
- Societal - SVN encourages public service and social action by leveraging the voices of business leaders to bring about positive social change.
Why we chose them:
As a triple bottom line company, we were thrilled to find an organization that supports the new economy. We agree with SVN's mission to transition to a new, 21st century American economy grounded in principles of sustainability, accountability and transparency. Working with other like-minded companies will help solve the economic, social and environmental problems we are now facing, we're thrilled to be at the forefront of this movement.
Rainforest Action Network
"ReusableBags offers green solutions that everyone can use to help save our planet. RAN is grateful for ReusableBags' generous donations and consistent support over the years; they help make our work possible." - Branden Barber; Development Director, Rainforest Action Network
Rainforest Action Network (RAN) uses hard-hitting markets campaigns to align the policies of multinational corporations with widespread public support for environmental protection. Their corporate campaigns seek to push companies to balance profits with principles, to show that it is possible to do well by doing good. They publicly applaud and support political and corporate leaders who show strong leadership and innovation in advancing sustainability. Their campaigns also leverage public opinion and consumer pressure to turn the public stigma of environmental destruction into a business nightmare for any American company that refuses to adopt responsible environmental policies. Campaigns seek to break America's oil addiction, reduce our reliance on coal, protect endangered forests and Indigenous rights, and stop destructive investments through education, grassroots organizing and nonviolent direct action.
Working in alliance with environmental and human rights groups around the world, RAN has helped convince dozens of corporations including Home Depot, Citigroup, Boise Cascade, and Goldman Sachs to change their practices. They've helped to protect millions of acres of forests in Canada, Indonesia, Brazil, Chile and beyond.
Why we chose them:
Grass-roots activism at its finest - we like RAN's scrappy style, working to challenge to global corporate power from the ground up. The website makes it easy to get involved at a local level, providing the resources individuals need to make a difference. We share the same approach in changing consumption habits and looking radically at what we do in our daily lives.
Rainforest Alliance
The Rainforest Alliance works to conserve biodiversity and ensure sustainable livelihoods by transforming land-use practices, business practices and consumer behavior.
Companies, cooperatives and landowners that participate in our programs meet rigorous standards that conserve biodiversity and provide sustainable livelihoods.
In more than 60 countries around the world, they are collaborating with farmers, workers, business leaders, NGO's, governments, scientists and local communities to develop and implement standards that are socially and environmentally responsible, as well as economically viable.
By creatively and systematically helping to overhaul the way that crops and timber are produced and the way tourism is managed, the Rainforest Alliance, its partners and the consumers they serve are ensuring that the resources we depend on today will be here far into the future.
Why we chose them:
The Rainforest Alliance helps the environment and communities in more than 60 countries around the world - helping support safer practices that benefit us all. Water and soil conservation, limiting use of dangerous pesticides and fighting to ensure good conditions for farm workers are just some of the great things they do on a daily basis. The Rainforest Alliance also shares our values of transparency and innovation, and their seal of approval helps consumers make informed choices, while also holding companies accountable.
New American Dream
"New American Dream has always looked to ReusableBags.com as a reliable source of information on the environmental costs of bag waste and the benefits of reusable bags. Now, we are doubly grateful to ReusableBags.com for their generous donations allowing us to engage our network of grassroots activists in promoting the use of reusable bags at grocery stores and shopping centers across the region." -Alexis Blackman; Development Manager, Center for A New American Dream
The Center for a New American Dream helps Americans consume responsibly to protect the environment, enhance quality of life, and promote social justice. They work with individuals, institutions, communities, and businesses to conserve natural resources, counter the commercialization of our culture, and promote positive changes in the way goods are produced and consumed.
They believe that:
- Living consciously means getting more of what really matters in life, being aware of what's going on around you, finding balance, and having a little fun while you're at it;
- Buying wisely means becoming a positive force in the marketplace, using your purchasing power to support business practices that are safer for the environment and better for people;
- Making a difference is all about making sure your citizen voices are heard, being active in your community and letting policymakers know where YOU stand.
Why we chose them:
We share very similar philosophies regarding changing consumption habits, the use of market forces / grassroots efforts to affect change, and their incredibly sharp staff. We also respect their ability to leverage resources and the web to make a big impact. They have also campaigned directly on the two major issues we have focused our efforts on -- raising awareness of the sensibility of reusable shopping bags and reusable bottles.
Roots and Shoots (a Jane Goodall Institute program)
"The Jane Goodall Institute and Jane Goodall's Roots & Shoots are committed to the concept that our every day actions can make a difference! A huge thank you to Reusable Bags for their unflagging commitment to the triple bottom line and the protection of our environment!" - Sally Eddowes; Director of Brand Management, The Jane Goodall Institute
Founded in 1991 by Dr. Jane Goodall and a group of Tanzanian students, the Roots & Shoots program is about making positive change happen - for our communities, for animals and for the environment. With tens of thousands of young people in almost 100 countries, the Roots & Shoots network connects youth of all ages who share a desire to create a better world. Young people identify problems in their communities and take action. Through service projects, youth-led campaigns and an interactive website, Roots & Shoots members are making a difference across the globe.
Why we chose them:
We have worked with Roots & Shoots since they first turned their attention toward the plastic bag problem several years ago. Our donations support their ongoing initiatives that teach young people the importance and impact of curbing consumption of plastic bags and bottles. We believe educating and empowering young people to take action against this and other major environmental issues is critical, as they represent the next generation of consumers and have the potential to make the mindless overconsumption of plastics a thing of the past. Plus, they are going to inherit the mess we've created, and we want to give them the tools they need to help overcome the environmental problems facing our planet!
Surfrider Foundation
"Reusablebags.com is a great example of a company doing right by the planet. Not only are they working to curb the increasing tide of plastic pollution by getting sustainable product into the hands of customers, they are helping to clean up the existing mess by supporting Surfrider Foundation's grassroots campaigns and programs." - Matt McClain; Director of Marketing & Communications, Surfrider Foundation
Surfrider is a non-profit grassroots organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of our world's oceans, waves and beaches. Founded in 1984 by a handful of visionary surfers in Malibu, California, the Surfrider Foundation now maintains over 50,000 members and 80 chapters worldwide. They recently announced a "Rise Above Plastics" educational campaign designed to reduce our global dependence on use-and-toss plastic items.
Why we chose them:
Surfrider caught our attention with their work hard/play hard mentality, progressive no BS attitude, and clear leadership in protecting our waterways. Our donation will be used to help fund their "
Rise Above Plastics" educational campaign designed to reduce our global dependence on use-and-toss plastic items.
Seattle Green Bag Campaign
"When it comes to the question: paper or plastic, our answer should be 'neither.' Companies like ReusableBags.com that offer quality reusable bags and common sense advice are providing us an easy solution to the problems associated with single-use paper and plastic bags. I applaud them for raising awareness and empowering people to kick the bag-habit." -Greg Nickels, Mayor Seattle.
A team of concerned citizens, Seattle's Green Bag Campaign leads a grassroots movement to promote environmental sustainability by reducing disposable bag consumption.
In 2008, when a 20-cent bag fee (passed by City Council) was halted by the American Chemistry Council, the campaign formed in an effort to uphold the existing law. 1% FTP made our $5,000 donation to the campaign possible.
Why we chose them:
Since this company began in 2003,
Seattle's bag fee is the most important piece of legislation we've seen to dramatically reduce the consumption of use-and-toss bags. Based on Ireland's extremely successful PlasTax, the plastics industry has been fighting it tooth and nail. When Mayor Nickels called us for help, we saw an historic opportunity to drive real change, & we gave our full support.
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