If the pandemic has taught us one thing, it's how easily we can be divided by complex issues in the age of social media. But social media, like any tool, has as much power to build as it does to harm. This chaotic time has highlighted just how important it is to keep focused on what is good and unifying; it's the fresh air we all need. We have the choice to let go of the neighbor-versus-neighbor, country-versus-country narrative, to talk about problems rather than people, and point out solutions instead of problems.
We'd like to introduce a new partner, 1955: a creative collaborative founded in Kliptown, Soweto, South Africa aimed at addressing critical social, environmental, and economic issues in the local community. You can read more about the devastating effects of the pandemic in Kliptown and the work 1955 is doing here.
Several years ago, 1955 reached out to The Rogerie to collaborate on a plastic upcycling project. Much of the plastic waste we create ends up in communities around the globe like Kliptown. Though disappointing to see, many locals have already turned this problem into an opportunity by collecting plastic waste and selling it to recycling depots. Unfortunately, local depots pay as little as 1% of what this plastic is worth in Canada and the US!
As local entrepreneurs, 1955 wants to build on the community’s recycling efforts, so we’re now sourcing a portion of our plastic directly from Kliptown (at a fair market price!). Our collaborative goal is to establish a full plastic production system in their community, creating jobs and building a foundation for a strong and healthy local economy. It's a difficult and complex project, but it starts right here.
Aside from our long-term plans, Kliptown needs urgent pandemic support. To expedite our project we'll be donating 25% of our online order proceeds from now until November 1. In the meantime, we'll be processing, testing, and preparing their plastic, and creating some special products to release for the holidays. Just watch for the 1955 logo!
Together, we can build something great and clean up our global and local mess while doing it!
