June 3, 2024
Thanks to a partnership between EARTHDAY.ORG and PLAN, we were able to provide $10,000 of micro-grants to 16 campuses across the US for student-led actions around Earth Day! We're thrilled to share some photos and student wins from the past two weeks.The global theme for this past Earth Day was Planet vs. Plastics. Students hosted clean-ups in their community, petitioned for their campus to sign the Break Free From Plastic Pledge, created art pieces, advocated for plastic-free legislature, hosted events like a Sustainability Field Day, and more! As always, we are so inspired by the energy from students, creativity in action planning, and perseverance in the face of challenges. We're continuing to support these groups with reflecting on their projects and maintaining the momentum beyond Earth Day.
"Earth Day Action Micro-Grants gave us the resources to participate in collective action. It was very inspiring to work with professionals in the field to strengthen the campaign here at Ohio University. While we are in the process of rebuilding our club after Covid-19, this helped us set up a solid foundation — we wanted to have inspiring and empowering Earth Day events and this helped make that happen."
- Catherine and Helena, Ohio University Sierra Club Presidents
The Micro-Grant was a key part to ensuring our event was a success. We were able to gather several politicians, organizations, and students-at-large to speak out for an important cause. It was an incredible opportunity to spread the message that “Plastic Poisons People,” and that as young people in our society, we have an extremely important obligation for fighting for our family and future. The demonstration put on at UCF will seek to be first of many demonstrations aimed at pressuring the University and the surrounding Orlando area.-
Ayden, University of Central Florida
The Earth Day Action Micro-Grant was so helpful to allow us to print zines and provide incentives for participation to meet our goals. It was also great to be able to provide stipends for our volunteers who put the project together and tabled at the Earth Day events. Clean4Change is so grateful to PLAN and Earth Day for supporting the growth of our group.
- Berea College and Western KY University students with Clean4Change
Alongside the momentum of Earth Day, we're thrilled to bring back the Break Free From Plastic (BFFP) Campus Pledge as an opportunity for colleges and universities to commit to eliminating plastics on their campus!
The BFFP Campus Pledge is the most comprehensive, accessibility-centered, single-use plastic elimination policy that campuses can commit to. The steps of the Pledge provide campuses a clearly-outlined plan for eliminating plastics that ensures accountability, equity, and longevity.
Students, sustainability departments, and other campus members looking to eliminate plastics on campus are encouraged to engage in a BFFP Campaign, with signing the Pledge as a long-term goal. Our BFFP Pledge Campaign Manager, Savannah, can provide personalized advising support throughout your campaign!
