We’re not just selling straws. We want to change the world. This is what we’re up to.
We Work With 1% for the Planet
FinalStraw is a proud member of 1% for the Planet. This means we’re committed to donating one percent of our sales to environmental nonprofits. Not only do we support organizations that protect the environment, but also those that advocate for animals, engage youth, and empower women.
1% for the Planet is an international organization whose members contribute at least one percent of their annual sales to environmental causes. Their mission is to build, support, and activate an alliance of businesses financially committed to creating a healthy planet. 1% for the Planet members assist nonprofit organizations that protect land, forests, rivers, oceans, and also encourage sustainable methods of energy production. 1% staff evaluate the track record, credibility, and impact of the nonprofit organization and also verify the contributions made by the member companies.
1% was founded by Yvon Chouinard and Craig Mathews in 2002 to encourage more businesses to donate 1% of sales to environmental groups. Yvon Chouinard is the founder of Patagonia and Craig Mathews is the founder of Blue Ribbon Flies. As Yvon Chouinard said during the 1% for the Planet Global Summit, it’s not philanthropy it’s our rent for living on this planet.
We’re halfway through 2019 and we’ve already supported more than 50 nonprofits, schools and student groups. Here are a few highlights of the organizations we’ve supported in the first half of the year.
We Believe in Education
NatureTrack’s Film Festival is focused on igniting passion for nature through film. The film festival takes place in Los Olivos in Santa Barbara County and draws 600-800 people each year. Featured films cover a range of topics from conservation to the outdoors. The film festival is presented by NatureTrack, a nonprofit organization that provides free field trips for children in grades K-12. NatureTrack believes it is vital to introduce children to nature so that they develop an appreciation for the natural world and understand how critical it is to honor and preserve it.
FinalStraws were given to the filmmakers, sponsors, and VIP’s at the film festival.
We Support Young Adventurers
The Bronx River Alliance's Amazing Bronx River Flotilla is a 50-mile paddle down the Bronx River through the New York Botanical Garden and Bronx Zoo. The flotilla engages hundreds of participants in paddling the river and raising funds to provide paddling adventures to 1,000 Bronx youth and their families. This year’s event drew over 100 paddlers who raised nearly $65,000 to support the alliance’s youth programs.
FinalStraw donated straws for the top fundraisers. Check out this news coverage of the event.
We Celebrate Great Work!
The Plastic Pollution Coalition (PPC) is a growing global alliance of more than 750 organizations, businesses, and thought leaders in 60 countries working toward a world free of plastic pollution and its toxic impacts on humans, animals, waterways, the ocean, and the environment. PPC’s 10-year anniversary celebration featured musical performances by Jeff Lynne, Lucinda Williams, Jackson Browne with Mike Campbell and The Dirty Knobs. The event was emceed by Jeff Garlin, and included cocktails and dinner by Chef Akasha Richmond.
FinalStraw donated custom straws in gold with a red case branded with the PPC logo for the gift bags.
We Invest in Cool Initiatives
Gravity Water combines rainwater harvesting, storage, and filtration to provide communities in developing countries with a local source of safe drinking water that is self-sustaining and energy-free. In 2019, Gravity Water launched the Indonesia Clean Water Initiative to provide schools in underserved communities with safe drinking water, while also reducing their dependency on single-use plastic. Gravity Water hosted a membership drive to raise awareness and funds for the Indonesia Clean Water Initiative. In total, Gravity Water signed up over 80 new monthly members whose support will provide 928 children with access to a permanent source of clean water, thus eliminating the need for 185,688 single-use 240 ml plastic bottles each year.
Each new monthly member received a FinalStraw as a thank you gift.
