ABOUT DETROIT
Detroit has long been one of the great industrial powerhouses of the world, serving as birthplace and hub of the US automotive industry. It is also regarded as a major cultural center, known for its contributions to music – such as Motown – and as a repository for art, architecture and design. It sits directly on the Detroit River, serving as a primary connector between the inland seas known as the Great Lakes – which are the largest source of fresh water in the world by surface area.
LOCAL GOALS
• Reforestation
• Plastic waste reduction
• Increase community education on plastic and circular waste management
UNITED NATIONS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
OUR PARTNERS
Green Living Science (GLS) is an outgrowth of Recycle Here!, Detroit’s drop-off recycling center and the city’s neighborhood recycling program. They began working with the Detroit Public Schools in 2007, in partnership with their Office of Math and Science. Since then, they’ve reached more than 40,000 students. They envision a Detroit with a robust circular economy and citizens who are mindful about our environment and natural resources.
CURBSIDE RECYCLING AMBASSADORS
GLS workS in partnerships with local schools and teachers, where they provide recycling and environmental education. These lessons are aligned with Michigan science standards and heavily incorporate the different STEAM disciplines. Along with it, their lessons fit within a framework of the three Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle) to give students the tools they need to make individual and group behavior change and help create a sustainable society.
BEE GREEN BUSINESS PROGRAM
Telling you that Detroit has an unsustainable trash problem likely isn’t surprising. But what may be is our sustainable solution. It’s local businesses.
The Bee Green Business program is designed to aid businesses and their employees in setting up successful and efficient recycling and waste reduction programs. Businesses can engage through partnerships and the GLS certification program.
DETROIT RECYCLES
Creation of workshops and events to enroll residents in free recycling carts, pilot/research programs, resident education and support for the Detroit Public Works Department. In doing so, their mission is to educate about recycling and proper waste disposal options in Detroit. GLS works with block clubs, faith-based groups and community organizations throughout the city to provide free recycling carts to residents, with the goal of increasing Detroit’s recycling participation rate to 50%.
TREE PLANTINGS
With the Social Forestry Project leading the way, we plan to distribute or plant over 1,000 trees or saplings in communities throughout the Detroit region in 2021.
CLEANUPS OF FORESTED SHORELINES
A series of litter cleanups will take place throughout the city of Detroit, along the Detroit River and other connecting waterways in the Great Lakes system.
CONSERVATION EDUCATION
As a supportive add-on to both projects above, Plastic Oceans and Social Forestry Project will collaborate on offering a series of educational workshops to schools, community groups, and corporations throughout the metro Detroit region.