The Clean Room

The Kids Are Alright!

We talk a lot about the benefits of recycling and reuse as it pertains to helping the environment, but a recent news story we came across brought a human element to the recycling cause.

A group of Chinese college students has started a recycling campaign to benefit a poor Tibetan orphan. Tsering Gyatan lives with his 68-year old grandmother and the two survive on what amounts to just over $78 US dollars per month. That money is gained from part time jobs the grandmother works while the boy is at school. There was concern that Tsering, like many other poor children, might have to drop out of school to work.

That’s when the “Sack Brothers” got involved.

The ten sophomores sprang into action collecting empty bottles, used books and newspapers from university dormitories on weekends. In the first two weeks of the campaign, they raised more money than what Tsering and his grandmother make in a month.

News of the campaign began to spread and other students soon joined the cause. Not only did students hold on to those recyclables for Tsering, but a group of female college students also made contact with the boy encouraging him to stay in school.

The Sack Brothers have vowed to keep the campaign going and will send monthly payments to help support the pair. In addition, the students plan to take their recycling campaign off campus and into other communities so that more poor children can receive help as well.

This effort emphasizes the power of recycling and showcases how just a small group of people can make a huge difference not only helping the environment, but their fellow man as well. If ten students can change one person’s life through recycling, think what’s possible if ten million made a concerted effort to recycle… the possibilities are endless.

This is Planet Earth!

Last week, we talked about the little things people can do to make the world a greener place. Today, we’re taking that a step further to tell you about some organizations that are looking to clean up the earth on a much larger scale.

Earthwatch Institute: This international nonprofit has been around for four decades focusing on areas such as climate change, the ocean and unsustainable resource management. Earthwatch offers volunteers the opportunity to join expeditions alongside scientists all over the world – no experience required! Volunteers pay to be a part of the expedition, helping to fund the work.

The Earth Organization: Rehabilitating the Earth is at the core of the Earth Organization’s message. South African conservationist Lawrence Anthony founded the organization after he initiated the rescue of animals from the Baghdad Zoo during the Iraqi War. Since then the Earth Organization has helped with cleanup of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, a UN resolution to protect wildlife, and implemented an environmental education curriculum for schools.

Earth Communications Office: With a little help from Hollywood, ECO uses “the power of communications to help improve the global environment.” ECO makes environmental messages that have been seen by over one billion people in 100 countries. The video messages have covered a variety of topics including climate change, the health of the ocean and over-consumption. Morgan Freeman, Gene Hackman and Patrick Stewart have narrated various messages. ECO says the aim is to inspire people to “take a more active role in protecting our home.”

Children of the Earth United: Developing green lifestyles doesn’t happen overnight and Children of the Earth United aims to instill green habits in kids early on. Through education, the nonprofit helps kids “develop a greater understanding and respect for animals, plants, water, soil, air and energy systems.” Children of the Earth United is also focused on recycling, green homes and introducing kids to eco-careers.

Earth911.com: Recycling is at the root of this company. It offers an online recycling directory that tells people where they can go to recycle all kinds of different products all around the country. A user simply types in the product they wish to recycle and then a zip code or address, and Earth911 will tell them where to find the nearest recycling center that accepts that particular product. The website is also a one stop center to find out about all kinds of green news and tips. 

Whether it be something as simple as using Replenish or taking part in an expedition to study the effects of global warming, people around the world have joined the Green Movement. We’re proud to be a part of the solution and we hope that more and more people will get involved in the cause. After all, this IS Planet Earth… and it’s the only one we have.