by Becky Streeter
We see it on products throughout the grocery store and eco-friendly shops, but what does it really mean?
In the early 2000’s, Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia, and Craig Mathews, founder of Blue Ribbon Flies, were enjoying the great outdoors together and got lost in a deep conversation. Both extremely successful businessmen realized that owning a business can have a sizable environmental impact, and they decided it was time to start giving back. Together they came up with the idea for 1% for the Planet.
The program is designed so that businesses and members donate one percent of their sales back to environmental conservation or improvement projects, whether or not their business is profitable. Many companies utilize the earth’s resources, and those resources should be protected. Yvon Chouinard famously stated: “This is not philanthropy. This should be a cost of doing business. It’s paying rent for our use of the planet.” This sentiment quickly spread to businesses worldwide, and now totals more than 5,000 members.
If you own a business, you can sign up on 1% for the Planet’s website and donate your “rent.” If you’re an individual, you can donate any amount, one-time or monthly, through they’re website. You can also shop for products through EarthHero on the website as well as keep an eye out for items at your local stores that have the logo. Through your purchases, you know your money is going to support a good cause.
Source: https://onepercentfortheplanet.org/