#UNLITTER September

Summer poem contest winner, #UNLITTER shirt fundraiser, and more about what is going on in the #UNLITTER Community this fall.

#UNLITTER Fall

Simple. Powerful. Positive.

September 2023

Hey #UNLITTER crew it’s Emma! How are we doing? Excited for cooler weather? Grinding away on assignments? Work busy? Having a good time?

On Saturday, we celebrated the Autumnal Equinox, a moment of balance, equilibrium, and harvest—a reminder to find harmony within ourselves and express gratitude for the abundance in our lives. Just as nature sheds its leaves, we can embrace this transition to release what no longer serves us, making space for personal growth and inner transformation.

Wherever you are right now, let’s take a breather and be in this moment together. We’ve got a lot of exciting updates for you this season, so… Breathe in… Out…. Ahh…

#UNLITTERyourhabits

#UNLITTERYOURDIET

As the school year begins again, it’s easy to slip back into eating habits that may not be completely sustainable. We get it, it’s hard to eat consciously when running back and fourth between, classes, work, or spending time with family and friends, but #UNLITTER community member Sarah Green has some advice when it comes to keep a sustainable kitchen this fall.

  1. Instead of popping in to on-campus stores between classes, bring a reusable water bottle to carry without throughout the day and pack a container of your favorite food from home! You’ll save money and avoid creating extra waste.

  2. When you go pick up your morning coffee, bring your own thermos instead using a disposable cup. Not only is this better for the planet, but most coffee shops will even give you a discount for bringing your own mug!

For more tips to create an eco-friendly school year, check out Sarah’s post on the blog!

#UNLITTERyourdiet - Fall Recipe

Vegan Pumpkin Pancakes

Ingredients:

  • ¾ cup pumpkin puree

  • 1 cup soy milk or other milk alternative.

  • ½ cup water

  • 2 tablespoons oil (you can use applesauce as a substitute)

  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

  • 1 ½ cup flour

  • 1 tablespoon baking powder

  • ½ teaspoon salt

  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon

  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger

  • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg

You only need one bowl to make this seasonal treat!

  • In a large bowl, whisk together the pumpkin, milk, water, oil (or applesauce), vanilla, and maple syrup.

  • Add in the flour, salt, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg.

  • Mix until combined, but be careful not over mix!

  • Drop batter onto a heated griddle or pan (1/3 cup) and cook until a few small bubbles form.

  • Flip and cook 1-2 minutes more, until golden brown.

#UNLITTER CORAL RESTORATION
Always wanted to adopt a coral? Not sure what to get your friend for their birthday?

We collaborated with Coral Gardeners to embark on a mission to plant coral in the beautiful waters of French Polynesia. Our shared goal is to ignite inspiration among the upcoming generation of coral farmers and conservationists.

Coral Gardeners, through its education programs and international projects, is striving to make a difference in our oceans. The program allows us to monitor and track our impact and our positive impact on the planet (CODE UNLITTER).

Corals don’t just grow in tropical climates? Corals have been found growing in waters as cold as 39°F and depths of up to 2,000 meters.

SUMMER POEM CONTEST WINNER

This summer we hosted the first #UNLITTER Summer Poem Contest, where creative minds from around the world shared their verses to inspire a cleaner, greener future. More about the poem contest and our judges can be found here.

We received almost 40 submissions. Thank you to everyone who submitted!!!

📜 Winning Poem: A World of Grey Slush

Olivia Bergman

In a world where change does swiftly roam,
A tale of climate's shifting home,
With rising heat, it takes its toll,
On every living, breathing soul.

I once woke up to white winter morning's hush,
With frosty wonder, in nature's snowy blush,
But now I exist in a world of gray slush,
Where beauty in death has slowly slipped away.

Now wildfires rage with fierce, unyielding might,
Infernos of destruction, a darkening light.
Their flames devour forests once enchanted by spell,
A blazing reminder that nature is not hell.

Yet in boardrooms of giants, profits held on high,
Large corporations cast a shadowed sky,
As chemicals flow into waters pure and clean,
A poisoned stream of greed.

Species vanish, one by one,
Our neighborhoods are not suited for things that are fun.
A symphony of life undone,
A chorus lost, forever gone.

Yet hope remains, a guiding star,
If we unite, from near and far,
Pick up the litter, cleanse our hearts and minds,
For a brighter tomorrow, where all stars freely shine.

Interested in getting involved with the next poem contest? Send over a message to [email protected].

THIS MONTH ON THE #UNLITTER BLOG

A collection of the voices of the #UNLITTER community. Here’s what happened this summer:

If you have a story to tell, we want to share it! Contact [email protected] if you’re interested in writing.

#UNLITTER SHIRT FUNDRAISER

We are stoked to announce the release of #UNLITTER T shirts! We partnered with a B Corporation t-shirt company to create the most sustainable t-shirt on the market.

Our t-shirts are made with organic cotton and water-based ink to ensure comfort and eco-friendliness and we are proud to say that they are 100% American-made.

We are offering these t-shirts for a recommended donation of $40 (shipping included). Make a donation here to get your hands on one!

By wearing our #UNLITTER tee, you'll represent a global commitment to sustainability on a local level and inspire others to join our movement.

#UNLITTER EDUCATION

This summer we created the #UNLITTER EDUCATION program. After years of time in elementary school classrooms, we have finally packaged all of the up cycled crafts, activities, and lessons together.

In Gainesville, the team has already begun to implement the program into the after-school program at local elementary school Carolyn Beatrice Parker Elementary.

We are excited to thank our Curriculum Development Interns from this summer: Joncee McFarland, Yu-Chen (Angelina) Huang, Liel Shachr, and Elisa Perez! Thank you for all of your hard work!

If you know any teachers who may be interested in implementing our #UNLITTER program into their classroom, send us an email!

LOCAL HIGHLIGHTS

Gainesville, Florida

Gainesville, Florida started the year off strong with their first “flash” cleanup and #UNLITTERYOURMIND yoga outside at Lake Alice. They have been building momentum since this summer when they hosted a thrift swap and cleanup! The fall general body meeting had an incredible turnout of over 70 people excited to spread the stoke! #UNLITTERUF get ready for a semester full of cleanups, invasive species removals, thrift swaps, yoga, socials, and good vibes! To get involved or to find out more visit www.unlitter.org/gainesville.

Interested in adding to the #UNLITTER map? Reach out to [email protected] to learn more!

#UNLITTER ON SOCIALS

If you aren’t already following the movement, check us out on Instagram @UNLITTER. You can find all of our socials here. Also, shout out to our social media interns Matthew Sloboda, and Mitchell Gelman.

ABOUT THE #UNLITTER MOVEMENT

#UNLITTER is a nonprofit that empowers individuals to live more consciously and to positively affect their society.

This movement does more than encourage people to pick up litter off the ground. Its main goal is to increase environmental awareness and educate people on how to live sustainably.

If you are interested in joining the team (in any capacity) check out what positions are open here, or email [email protected] and say hi.

THANK YOU

This is a labor of love!

#UNLITTER has no paid staff nor unpaid interns.

If this movement has benefited you or your community, please consider a one-time or recurring donation!

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