After we got here up with the concept of BrushEco, we needed to create a terrific toothbrush that might operate very well and final lengthy sufficient to get the job finished, however not ceaselessly.
On the time, we lived on Kauai, and we liked strolling alongside the island’s lovely shoreline. Whereas basking within the recent air and the salty ocean spray, we additionally skilled a sober unhappiness. Why? Due to the entire plastic litter that we encountered alongside the best way.
We all the time carried an empty bag with us on our seaside walks. As we meandered down the seaside, we’d gather plastic junk that had washed ashore. There was all types of plastic particles, from fishing tools, to components of plastic laundry baskets. And sure, we almost all the time discovered plastic toothbrushes that regarded like they’d come from close to and much. A few of them had writing on them in languages that we didn’t even acknowledge.
We had a persistent nightmare that, at some point, we’d discover a plastic OraWellness toothbrush on the seaside. We determined we wanted to discover a resolution to stop that nightmare from turning into a actuality.
Turning into a part of the answer…
Our authentic aim was to create a extra sustainable Bass toothbrush.
The primary BrushEco prototypes had been made out of coconut wooden. Sadly, whereas they had been very fairly toothbrushes, they had been price prohibitive (when all was stated and finished, they had been $20 per brush!). Additionally, after repeated publicity to water, they had been inclined to molding. To repair these points, we switched to the superior bamboo fashions that we nonetheless provide as we speak.
With that, we’d achieved our aim of persevering with to cut back the quantity of plastics that we’re placing out into the world. Nonetheless, we realized that we additionally needed to do one thing to assist handle the current plastic air pollution drawback. So, we created the BrushEco mission, which donates 100% of BrushEco income to organizations which can be serving to to scrub up the world’s waterways.
We beforehand introduced the recipients of the primary BrushEco revenue donations.
Now, because of all of you who’ve bought BrushEco since that preliminary spherical of donations, we’ve raised one other $10K USD to donate.
The problem of discovering the best group(s)
Curiously, it’s been difficult to search out fund recipients 1) that appear like match and a couple of) that truly settle for our donation provide (who would have thought? 🙂 ).
You see, we needed to essentially maximize the advantage of our donations.
Positive, we might all the time ship the funds to nice teams just like the Ocean Cleanup Venture, however they’re already receiving hundreds of thousands of {dollars} in donations. So as an alternative, we determined to hunt out smaller organizations. Our hope is that for a smaller group with a smaller price range, these donations may present some actual traction and assist them obtain their targets.
As we regarded behind the scenes (of teams massive and small), we encountered greenwashing throughout the plastic air pollution cleanup area of interest.
Even after we discovered teams that appeared legit, after we took a better look, we regularly discovered that whereas they had been offering nice schooling, they weren’t very engaged in lively cleanup initiatives. We didn’t see them taking sufficient solution-oriented motion to make us really feel like they’d make the perfect use of the funds.
Additionally, we found that even in the event you do come throughout a beautiful group, it’s not all the time simple to get them to simply accept the donation.
One truth we’ve discovered is that many of the plastic waste within the oceans is misplaced or discarded plastic fishing nets. We had been actually excited after we discovered a gaggle in Europe that’s tackling this problem by making fishing nets out of algae. Sadly, though we tried reaching out to them a number of occasions a few donation, they by no means replied again. So, we stored looking out…
Fortunately, after extra digging and far deliberation, we landed on two improbable organizations. Right here’s some details about these donation recipients…
Ocean Defenders Alliance (donation: $5,000 USD)
Ocean Defenders Alliance (ODA) is a nonprofit marine conservation group based mostly out of Orange County, CA. We’re honored to have the ability to use a portion of the BrushEco revenue donations to help their nice work!
ODA’s dive crews and volunteers search out areas the place deserted business fishing gear, trash, and improperly sunken vessels are littering the ocean flooring. If left unchecked, this human-made particles winds up killing marine wildlife.
When the ODA people discover one among these websites, they float the particles to the floor. Then they fastidiously free any residing marine life that’s trapped inside, they usually haul the junk again to shore for correct disposal.
In addition they contact fisherfolk and eating places to ask them to decide to turning into higher stewards of the oceans.
And, they educate communities in regards to the important significance of restoring clear and wholesome oceans (in addition to how every individual can turn into a part of the answer!).
Seabin Basis (donation: $5,243 USD)
It’s possible you’ll keep in mind that the Seabin Basis was one of many recipients of our first spherical of BrushEco donations. Nicely, we’re thrilled to have the ability to help them once more!
This superior group began out creating trash skimmers that collected floating plastic marine particles.
Now, to make an excellent greater influence, the Seabin™ mission has developed right into a “100 Cities Marketing campaign”. Their aim is to scrub up 100 cities by 2050.
They’re addressing current plastic air pollution within the water and behavioral adjustments on land (to cease ocean air pollution at its supply).
After an enormous success in Sydney, they’re now beginning to clear up Los Angeles, too.
Wrapping up…
Thanks SO a lot in your continued help of BrushEco! You made all of this attainable, and we’re excited to proceed on this mission with you!
We’ll preserve you posted as we proceed to donate to increasingly more wonderful organizations. Collectively, we will actually make a distinction.
Please share your ideas in regards to the BrushEco mission and/or this celebratory second within the feedback beneath. And if you realize of any organizations which can be doing nice work to scrub up the world’s waterways, please tell us about them. We simply may select your suggestions for future BrushEco revenue donations!
Lastly, in the event you’re on social media, we invite you to provide the Ocean Defenders Alliance and the Seabin Basis a shout-out to thank them for what they do. In the event you’d like, be at liberty to allow them to know that you simply helped help them by way of the OraWellness BrushEco mission. Any shout-outs that you simply select to share on social media actually assist the group(s) concerned.
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