This year's Earth Day theme, "Planet vs. Plastics," underscores the urgent need to address plastic pollution and its detrimental impact on our environment. Every day, the equivalent of 2,000 garbage trucks full of plastic ends up in our oceans, rivers, and lakes. Annually, this results in 19-23 million tonnes of plastic waste polluting these bodies of water worldwide (UN Environment Programme, 2024).
At Urban Farmer Manila, we are deeply committed to advancing sustainability in all aspects of our operations. One of two key initiatives we have that truly reflect this commitment is our vision to make plant gifting a mainstream. Our aim is to revolutionize the concept of gift-giving and make plants as gifts a widely embraced practice. By encouraging the practice of gifting plants, we aim to reduce our environmental footprint, moving away from conventional gift options that often contribute to plastic waste and pollution. Moreover, plants are more than just decorative, they may reduce stress and some improve air quality by removing toxins. By promoting plant gifting, we aim to encourage a sustainable and healthy lifestyle, benefiting both our planet and personal well-being.
The second key initiative is our choice of packaging materials, which includes eco-friendly kraft plant boxes, paper sleeves, and eco-bags. Our kraft plant boxes are made from environmentally friendly materials, providing a green alternative to traditional plastic packaging. In our ongoing efforts to further minimize waste, we are currently changing our sleeves. We are moving from pre-printed sleeve designs, which include fixed text such as “Hello” and “Happy Birthday”, to a more versatile and customizable plain sleeve design. This change aims to reduce paper waste, allowing for more efficient use of resources and promoting greater sustainability in our operations. Our decision to use these packaging options not only align with our commitment to sustainability but also reflect our responsibility towards the planet. By carefully choosing materials that are biodegradable, recyclable, and eco-conscious, we contribute to reducing waste and protecting natural resources.
These initiatives are part of our broader strategy to promote environmental responsibility while contributing positively to the local community. Urban Farmer Manila strives passionately to combat the devastating plastic pollution that burdens our planet, hoping to restore the health and beauty of our environment for future generations. Join Team Planet now and let's make more conscious choices together!
Learn more about Earth Day here: https://www.earthday.org/earth-day-2024/?gad_source=1
Reference:
UN Environment Programme. (2022). Plastic Pollution. UNEP - UN Environment Programme. https://www.unep.org/plastic-pollution