Help Waste Free Earth pivot & launch new service!
Please help our team pivot industries to continue educating others about zero waste through our new service: Zero Waste Kickstart!
Project Description
OUR STORY
Marina McCoy and Alexandra Thompson started their careers in the events industry with a focus on sustainability. Marina founded her company after realizing her own hypocrisy of studying sustainable tourism but attending music festivals with little regard to her waste consumption. Alexandra wrote her honors senior thesis on the topic and has brought her sustainability lens to the various freelance roles she’s held throughout the festival world. They met two years ago at Mempho Music Festival and have been implementing zero waste strategies together ever since.
LIVE EVENTS INDUSTRY SHUTDOWN
2020 was going to be our biggest year yet, locking in clients all throughout the United States, while also getting recognized in news outlets and winning awards. Then large gatherings were cancelled to keep our communities safe. Within a matter of weeks, we lost all of our clients and $300,000 worth of proposals.
WHY IFUNDWOMEN?
With our events clients possibly being canceled up until September 2021, we are struggling to make ends meet. We have been putting our heads down to develop a more resilient plan for the future, and we are very excited about what we have been working on. Currently, we are crowdfunding through IFW to make Zero Waste Kickstart happen. Having startups and small businesses purchase access to the program in advance will provide us the opportunity to build out the most engaging platform possible. We will spend the funding on developing our course materials and our online platform.
OUR PROMISE
We know that buying a program in advance is a big commitment, especially when you are a small business. We promise you this program will exceed your expectations and will be worth every penny you invest in it and us. If you aren't satisfied with your yearly membership when we launch in May, we will gladly refund your early bird pricing. We are asking for your help to bring this program to market, so that together, we can work towards a ‘Waste Free Earth.’
OUR MISSION
Waste Free Earth creates award-winning systems that empower others to incorporate zero waste behaviors. No matter your industry, we help companies achieve their sustainability goals with an emphasis on zero waste initiatives. We are on a mission to create a Waste Free Earth with companies that care.
IT'S TIME TO DO BETTER
Zero Waste Movement
The zero waste movement is more than a trend - it’s the foundation of sustainable operations.
- The zero waste movement emerged from consumers wanting more sustainable options when it comes to products and packaging. (Vox)
- With only 28% of consumers saying that brands make it easier for consumers to be environmentally friendly and ethical in their daily lives, there’s still a disconnect between brands and consumers. (Forbes)
- More than 65% of consumers say they will pay more for brands committed to positive environmental change. (1% for the Planet)
The future of business: reinventing the way we look at waste
While it's up to consumers to make sustainable choices, we recognize that the current systems in place don’t set consumers up for success. We are reinventing how businesses produce and consume waste.
It’s time for us to be proactive instead of reactive when it comes to waste management. We are building a business culture that prioritizes zero waste systems over the current status quo of burying single-use items as trash in landfills.
Businesses want to do better, but...
- Money is tight
- Consultants are expensive
- Hiring new staff members is costly
- Time is precious
- Founders are focused on the core of the business
-
Researching where and how to start is confusing
Zero Waste Kickstart is the training on how to build the foundation of a zero waste company, which will save you money, time, and effort in the long run as your business scales.
THE PRODUCT & SOLUTION
Zero Waste Kickstart is the first membership-based training platform for startups and small businesses to learn how to implement zero waste operations throughout their company. Our education and community platform is accessible via desktop and mobile app.
Yearly membership includes:
Why yearly memberships?
- Zero waste operations are about long-term growth and so are our programs.
- The sustainability industry is constantly growing and expanding. Each day we learn something new about how we can be more sustainable.
-
We continuously update our platform with new information so you always have access to the latest trends.
Leave the research up to us, you have a business to run!
Main topics of Zero Waste Kickstart:
Zero Waste Kickstart is designed especially for...
OUR TEAM
- Marina McCoy, a nationally recognized Zero Waste and Recycling Expert and Founder/CEO of Waste Free Earth
- Alexandra Thompson, Waste Free Earth’s Lead Project Manager and Zero Waste Expert
Together, we have over 13 years of experience within the sustainability industry and over seven years in entrepreneurship education. In addition, we call on our internal network of zero waste specialists.
THE FUTURE
The future is bright for Waste Free Earth as the push for zero waste options moves to the top of the latest trend lists for 2021. We have multiple different programs underway to fit the needs for both businesses and consumers. In 2022, we plan to launch our "Zero Waste 101" program for individuals that want to take a deeper dive into zero waste living. This will be a similar platform to our Zero Waste Kickstart but framed towards individuals/consumers, including the Waste Free Earth app for individuals wanting to make more sustainable choices while on the go. Want to be the first to test out this platform? We are offering a highly discounted rate to be a beta tester as a reward!
THANK YOU
We are excited to help you kickstart your zero waste journey! Thank you for believing in our vision to make zero waste education accessible to startups and small businesses. Please share our campaign with your network - your support is greatly appreciated!
Don't forget to follow us along on our journey and for zero waste tips @wastefreeearth!
CREDIBILITY & CLIENTS
Updates
The Campaign FAQs
FAQs
For inquiries please email [email protected]
We'll add questions to this section as we receive them!
Waste Free Earth
Waste Free Earth is a and operated company. We care about the health of our planet and the people on it, which is why we are a 1% For The Planet contributing member and Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility contributing member.
Our Founder has received numerous awards and recognition for her work within the sustainability and entrepreneurship field including, Vermont’s Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2020, Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility 2020 Young Change Maker award, nominations for both 1% For The Planet’s Unleash Passion award and Vermont’s 40 under 40.
Is Zero Waste Kickstart for individuals or businesses?
Zero Waste Kickstart is meant for startups and small businesses. However, if you are a mid to large size company and want to see what Waste Free Earth is all about before signing up for our Remote Zero Waste Team, we encourage you to do so!
If you are an individual wanting to dive deeper into zero waste operations for businesses, you can certainly purchase our program if you feel it would be helpful. However, we recommend you buying a ticket to one of our live workshops through our rewards at $30, which also comes with 20 zero waste tips!
PS - we will be launching an individual program soon too
What will happen if you do not reach your funding goal?
If the funding goal is not reached, we will still be able to fulfill the orders placed during the crowdfunding campaign. Although this is our preferred method of funding Zero Waste Kickstart, we are looking at other avenues as back ups.
What if I cannot financially afford to contribute?
While monetary contributions are preferred at this time, you can still help out the campaign by spreading awareness! Share this campaign on your social networks, share it with friends and family members who might be interested in donating or purchasing a reward! Every little bit helps!
What if I would like to contribute more money but am interested in a particular reward?
There is an option to donate an open value amount (see homepage) through a monetary contribution. You can also purchase a specific reward and add on any additional amount of money of your choice.
Want to be the first to test out our Zero Waste Kickstart platform? Sign up to be an exclusive beta tester to review the educational content and give valuable feedback before our official launch. You'll get access to the platform before anyone else AND a yearly membership.
Thank you for believing in our vision to make zero waste education accessible to startups and small businesses.
Sign up now and receive early bird pricing for Zero Waste Kickstart (10% discount). When the program officially launches in May 2021, we will charge a yearly membership fee of $1,000.
We'll customize a zero waste staff manual to your brand that will help you build a culture of zero waste at your organization or company. This reward includes a 30-minute consultation call to learn the goals and operations of your company. This five-page PDF includes zero waste principles, zero waste behaviors to adopt, waste diversion guidelines, and company protocols.
Interested in more formally supporting Waste Free Earth and our vision? In 2021 we will be looking at different avenues of support to help us continue to scale. Stay in the know about our growth and how we may be needing your help either through financial support, network connections, or mentorship. Thank you for believing in our mission!
Have Marina speak to you or your organization for an hour! Topics can include starting a business, being a woman entrepreneur, zero waste strategies, building community, implementing change, etc.
This reward is a 25% discount.
Have Marina speak to you or your organization for an hour! Topics can include starting a business, being a woman entrepreneur, zero waste strategies, building community, implementing change, etc.
This reward is a 50% discount.
Looking to dive deeper into zero waste living? Waste Free Earth will be launching our "Zero Waste 101" platform for individuals in 2022! Want to get first access and provide your feedback? Become a beta tester!
You'll receive a ticket to any of our upcoming workshops and our guide from our 20 Zero Waste Hacks You can Adopt in 2020 workshop. Tickets can be redeemed until the end of 2021. Our guide includes our full workshop presentation and an overview one-pager of the 20 hacks. Valued at $50, this reward bundle is a 40% discount.
You'll receive a ticket to any of our upcoming workshops and our guide from our 20 Zero Waste Hacks You can Adopt in 2020 workshop. Tickets can be redeemed until the end of 2021. Our guide includes our full workshop presentation and an overview one-pager of the 20 hacks. Valued at $50, this reward bundle is a 60% discount.
We launched All About Waste - Kids! in May to teach the next generation about composting and recycling. With every coloring book purchased, we donate one to BIPOC students to expand zero waste access to more communities! This activity book is great for adults too :)
This reward is a 40% discount off our online shop and allows you to share the book with multiple children or families.
Rewards
Want to be the first to test out our Zero Waste Kickstart platform? Sign up to be an exclusive beta tester to review the educational content and give valuable feedback before our official launch. You'll get access to the platform before anyone else AND a yearly membership.
Thank you for believing in our vision to make zero waste education accessible to startups and small businesses.
Sign up now and receive early bird pricing for Zero Waste Kickstart (10% discount). When the program officially launches in May 2021, we will charge a yearly membership fee of $1,000.
We'll customize a zero waste staff manual to your brand that will help you build a culture of zero waste at your organization or company. This reward includes a 30-minute consultation call to learn the goals and operations of your company. This five-page PDF includes zero waste principles, zero waste behaviors to adopt, waste diversion guidelines, and company protocols.
Interested in more formally supporting Waste Free Earth and our vision? In 2021 we will be looking at different avenues of support to help us continue to scale. Stay in the know about our growth and how we may be needing your help either through financial support, network connections, or mentorship. Thank you for believing in our mission!
Have Marina speak to you or your organization for an hour! Topics can include starting a business, being a woman entrepreneur, zero waste strategies, building community, implementing change, etc.
This reward is a 25% discount.
Have Marina speak to you or your organization for an hour! Topics can include starting a business, being a woman entrepreneur, zero waste strategies, building community, implementing change, etc.
This reward is a 50% discount.
Looking to dive deeper into zero waste living? Waste Free Earth will be launching our "Zero Waste 101" platform for individuals in 2022! Want to get first access and provide your feedback? Become a beta tester!
You'll receive a ticket to any of our upcoming workshops and our guide from our 20 Zero Waste Hacks You can Adopt in 2020 workshop. Tickets can be redeemed until the end of 2021. Our guide includes our full workshop presentation and an overview one-pager of the 20 hacks. Valued at $50, this reward bundle is a 40% discount.
You'll receive a ticket to any of our upcoming workshops and our guide from our 20 Zero Waste Hacks You can Adopt in 2020 workshop. Tickets can be redeemed until the end of 2021. Our guide includes our full workshop presentation and an overview one-pager of the 20 hacks. Valued at $50, this reward bundle is a 60% discount.
We launched All About Waste - Kids! in May to teach the next generation about composting and recycling. With every coloring book purchased, we donate one to BIPOC students to expand zero waste access to more communities! This activity book is great for adults too :)
This reward is a 40% discount off our online shop and allows you to share the book with multiple children or families.