Planet Ark

Planet Ark Environmental Foundation is an Australian not-for-profit environmental organisation, founded in 1992, which works with the public and business alike to help find the simple ways in which they can reduce their impact on the planet, at home, at work and in the community.[1][2] It is best known for its high-profile recycling campaigns including 'Cartridges 4 Planet Ark', Australia's 'National Recycling Week' and the country's biggest annual community tree-planting event, 'National Tree Day'. The organisation is operated from its office in Sydney's Circular Quay.

Campaigns

Planet Ark's campaigns seek to drive positive action that directly changes people's behaviour. The organisation is non-political and non-confrontational, aiming to unite people and business in action. Planet Ark’s main objectives are to promote sustainable resource use, encourage low carbon lifestyles and connect people with nature.[3] Planet Ark works with businesses and endorses a number of commercial products it considers to be environmentally friendly in production and manufacture, including recycled toilet paper, cleaning products and car tyres.[2][4]

Planet Ark's campaigns include:[5]

In 2006, Planet Ark established the National Recycling Hotline in partnership with the Australian Government as well as the website recyclingnearyou.com.au.[11] In the last three years, Planet Ark has also introduced a specialised website to assist businesses to find appropriate recycling services.[15]

Endorsements

Celebrities who have fronted Planet Ark campaigns include Pierce Brosnan, Kamahl, Olivia Newton-John, Jamie Durie, Steve Irwin, Kylie Minogue, Dannii Minogue, Nicole Kidman, Tom Cruise, champion surfer Layne Beachley, Shelley Craft, Sir Richard Branson, Tim Webster, Magdalena Roze, ABC's Gardening Australia host Costa Georgiadis, Grand Designs Australia host Peter Maddison and children's sensation dirtgirlworld.

Popular with the Australian media, Planet Ark's official spokesperson is former actress and television presenter turned environmentalist, Rebecca Gilling.

Criticism

Co-Founder John Dee and celebrity Pat Cash appeared on television citing the organisation links to the timber industry and involvement in drafting the Australian Forestry Standard.[16] which Nick Xenophon has said "raises some serious questions of a potential conflict of interest"[17] and caused Christine Milne to criticise the organisation.[17] Planet Ark responded to the enquiries in a letter explaining its position in detail.[18] The Australian Forestry Standard is an attempt to create an Australian specific standard, as opposed to the international Forest Stewardship Council and Planet Ark recommends choosing FSC wood products.[19]

See also

References

  1. "About Planet Ark".
  2. "About Planet Ark". Retrieved 23 August 2012.
  3. "Our partners". Planet Ark. Retrieved 19 April 2014.
  4. "About Planet Ark's Environmental Campaigns".
  5. "National Tree Day". National Tree Day. Planet Ark.
  6. Singhal, Pallavi. "Australia gears up for 21st Tree Day". Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  7. "National Recycling Week". National Recycling Week. Planet Ark.
  8. "Close the Loop". Close the Loop. Close the Loop.
  9. "EPA Grants". NSW Environmental Protection Agency. NSW Government. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
  10. 1 2 "Recycling Near You".
  11. "Planet Ark's new Make It Wood campaign". Wood - Naturally Better. Wood - Naturally Better. Retrieved 14 October 2011.
  12. "Aware and Orange Power". Aware Environmental. Aware Environmental.
  13. "Endorsed Program". Planet Ark Endorsed. Planet Ark.
  14. "Business Recycling".
  15. Harvey, Adam (1 August 2012). "Planet Ark founders cut ties with organisation". ABC News (Australia). Retrieved 19 April 2014.
  16. 1 2 Harvey, Adam. "Planet Ark sails in to timber storm". ABC. Retrieved 19 April 2014.
  17. "Planet Ark Responds to 7.30 Report". Scribd.
  18. "Choosing Wood". Make it Wood. Planet Ark.

External links

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