Since July of last year, Macro Plastics has been a member of 1% for the Planet whose goal is to protect our planet by improving the state of our environment.  In 2002, they began their journey and started a global movement.

Founder of Patagonia and co-founder of 1% for the Planet, Yvon Chouinard, stated “The intent of 1% for the Planet is to help fund these diverse environmental organizations so that collectively they can be a more powerful source in solving the world’s problems.”

Since companies profit from resources taken from the earth, companies who are members of 1% for the Planet donate at least 1% of their sales to environmental nonprofits.  Through our partnership with them, we have been connected to three great nonprofits that we believe are making a big impact – Social Plastic, Food Forward, and Root Capital.

We’ve previously featured Social Plastic and Food Forward in our news section, which you can access here.  So last but definitely not least, we are highlighting the awesome charity that is Root Capital!

Founded in 1999 by Willy Foote, Root Capital aims to grow agricultural enterprises so they become engines of impact that transform rural communities. They currently work in Latin America, sub-Saharan Africa, and Southeast Asia.

Root Capital says that we need to focus on 2.5 billion people.  That’s the number of people who rely on small-scale farming for their livelihood.  Many of them are feeding the rest of the world, yet not getting enough to eat.  To help these small-scale farmers, Root Capital invests in agricultural enterprises that support smaller farmers in rural areas.

With growth, these business become engines of impact that can raise incomes and create jobs, empower women and young people, sustain peace, and preserve vulnerable ecosystems.

So far they’ve worked with more than 700 clients, representing 1.3 million farmers and their families and $4.6 billion in economic activity.  All in some of the world’s most vulnerable communities.