1% For the Planet Helps Our Environment One Purchase at a Time

January 28, 2010 by Amy
Filed under Good Causes, Recent Posts

1% for the Planet When Patty and Peggy launched Organic Bug; one of their founding principles was to conduct business practices that nurture the delicate “relationship we all have with the Earth, each other and our own inner beings.” In keeping with that pledge- they are active members of a wonderful organization called 1% For the Planet, whose mission is very much in alignment with their ideals: businesses recognizing that industry and ecology are inherently connected.

Since 2002, 1% for the Planet has inspired members of the business community to contribute 1% of their sales to environmental organizations around the world. The group works to connect businesses directly with countless non profits to donate on a local or international scale so the funds will go to a greater good. This movement has led to over 30 million dollars supporting worthy environmental organizations. Organic Bug has chosen to donate 1% of our sales to Healthy Child Healthy World.

1% for the Planet was founded by Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia, and Craig Mathews, owner of Blue Ribbon Flies who decided to combine their business savvy with their passion to protect the planet. Their launched the organization in 2002 in San Francisco, California. Twenty-one businesses, including a winery, a coffee company and a guide service signed up as members. Since that time, membership has grown to over 900 and we are proud to be among this elite roster of businesses. To learn more about how to involve your business in this fine organization- visit their site and join their Facebook Page! And know that for each purchase you make with our organization- we will donate 1%, an “Earth Tax” if you will, to a non profit dedicated to preserving the planet.

	Based on their own business models, the two men hatch a plan to encourage more businesses to donate 1% of sales to environmental groups. Yvon calls it an “Earth Tax.” Craig calls it 1% for the Planet. They go with Craig’s idea.
	1% FTP holds an official launch event at the Patagonia store in San Francisco, California. Twenty-one businesses, including a winery, a coffee company and a guide service sign up as members. Not bad for the first day.
	A second launch event takes place at the Fly Fishing Retailer show in Denver, Colorado, engaging an industry that understands the connection between business and the environment like few others. Several more members are, um, reeled in.
	Membership grows steadily by word of mouth, primarily on the West Coast of the United States and in outdoor industry circles. Jack Johnson, in conjunction with his music and film companies, Brushfire Records and The Moonshine Conspiracy, becomes the 50th member of 1% FTP.
	Jack releases In Between Dreams, displaying the 1% FTP logo on the back of the CD jacket. Yvon authors the book Let My People Go Surfing, which culminates in the story of 1% FTP. The publicity contributes to the signing up of two to three new member companies per week, closing the year at over 200.
	1% FTP goes prime time as NBC Nightly News features the organization in its Making a Difference series. In partnership with the Charture Institute, the first official 1% FTP local chapter is launched: 1% For The Tetons, in Jackson, Wyoming. The chapter adds 50 members within months.
	To boost consumer involvement, the 1% FTP logo and web site are overhauled, and the first major print campaign is launched. With the total company membership exceeding 700, including more than 100 European businesses, donations approach $30 million USD. More than one new member company joins every day. The 1% FTP staff also grows—to 4, not including the dog.