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For obvious reasons, World Oceans Day holds a special place in our hearts here at Dopper. But World Oceans Day 2020 – now that was something else. We’re talking the launch day to end all launch days. On that day, we took our fight against single-use plastic to the next level by kickstarting the Dopper Wave.
One year on, what began with a core group of sustainable frontrunners has grown into an international movement. It’s become a wave of change worthy of prizes (no, seriously), impacting 2530 people and 510 organisations. Here are some of their stories. Best enjoyed with a glass of crystal clear tap water.
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OCTOBER 23, 2020
You probably know TOMS as the global shoe company that championed the One for One model: for every pair sold, one pair is given to someone in need. Pretty cool already, but there’s more.
To up their sustainability game, in 2020 they created a collection using REPREVE – a material made from recycled post-consumer plastic bottles. Within its first year, the collection gave new life to over 47,000 plastic already. We’re crushing hard.
To complete the very-cool-company trifecta, TOMS joined the Dopper Wave, banning single-use plastic water bottles from their offices, meetings, stores and events. “We realised that improving lives also includes taking good care of the place we all call home. For humanity to thrive, our planet needs to thrive.” - Amy Smith, Chief Strategy and Impact Officer at TOMS.
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JANUARY 28, 2021
Every now and then, you come across someone who restores your faith in humanity. Which is nice, in the midst of forest fires, pandemics and global pollution. In 2020, we crossed paths with Kiwi Lucy von Sturmer – founder of The Humblebrag and part of Creatives for Climate.
From creating change at industry level to inspiring individuals to act more sustainably, Lucy is the Dopper Wave personified. Showing that individual actions can lead to epic impact.
“We need both individual and systemic change to ensure that 2021 is the year that sustainability goes from a buzzword to the norm. Changing our behaviour and rejecting single-use plastic is a key part of the change we need to see."
MAY 3, 2021
There’s being creative, and then there’s Merijn Tinga: the Plastic Soup Surfer. The man who went from artist to activist, rising to sustainability fame on his kiteboard made out of plastic waste. Who manages to drive political change through physical challenges and record attempts. The man we were honoured to add as a member of the Dopper Wave (and to our dream dinner party guest list).
The overarching challenge he wants everyone to be aware of? Our attitude towards plastic as a material. “We’re maintaining a throwaway culture using a material that doesn’t decay. That’s a contradiction in terms and that’s what we need to tackle.” Hear, hear.
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