HABITS OF WASTE LAUNCHES NATIONAL CAMPAIGN SUPPORTING UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN STUDY FOR WORLD VEGAN MONTH
Non-Profit Company Creates an “Imperfectly Vegan” Program called #8meals
The Los Angeles-based non-profit Habits of Waste (HoW), uses a sociological approach to combat climate change. A University of Michigan-published study demonstrates the profound effect that reducing animal protein intake can have on an individual’s carbon footprint. Habits of Waste used this information to create a tangible campaign called #8meals to help more people participate in World Vegan Month—the month of November, in an accessible way.
“Similar to the zero-waste movement, I realize that many people are unable to commit fully to a vegan diet for a variety of reasons. Our goal is to invite more people to be “imperfectly vegan” and simply swap 8 meals a week to plant-based,” said Sheila Morovati, Founder and President of Habits of Waste.
University of Michigan and Tulane University found that by replacing even 50% of animal products with plant-based foods in the United States would prevent more than 1.6 billion tons of greenhouse gas pollution by 2030. With 18% of greenhouse gases currently coming from animal agriculture, Habits of Waste is looking to inspire millions of people to participate in reducing their animal protein intake by 40% so that we can create significant change together. The company is hoping that converting everyone to 8 plant-based meals a week is an accessible approach; 40% of the 21 meals we eat per week. “Climate change is now at an ‘all hands on deck’ urgency. We cannot wait for governments and corporations to act,” said Dr Martin Heller, research specialist for sustainable systems at the University of Michigan.“Perhaps the single greatest contribution we can make as
individuals is to change our diet. The carbon footprint reduction of committing to at least 8 plant-based meals a week is on par with switching to a hybrid automobile for the average American family.”
The campaign recently launched via the company’s Instagram and is challenging people around the globe to join the crusade. #8meals a week because clean and beautiful eating makes for a clean and beautiful planet. For more information, contact Habits of Waste at (310) 435-8497 or hello@habitsofwaste.org. Find out more at www.habitsofwaste.org.
Sheila Michail Morovati is the President and Founder of two non-profit organizations, Crayon Collection and Habits of Waste. CrayonCollection.org is a non-profit organization that has successfully been collecting gently used crayons from restaurant chains nationwide and donating them to underserved schools internationally. HabitsofWaste.org (H.o.W) focuses on finding solutions to shift habits of waste among mass society. With a Sociology degree from UCLA, Morovati has successfully been growing the non-profits since 2013. She spearheaded the ban of plastic straws, utensils and stirrers in the City of Malibu and more recently through her #CutOutCutlery campaign convinced UberEats and Postmates to change the default setting in their applications (globally) so that users receive plastic cutlery only by request. She has also set a Guinness World Record in August 2018 for the largest crayon donation in history with over 1 million crayons donated to teachers at LAUSD and Head Start Centers in Los Angeles. Sheila lives in Los Angeles with her husband and 2 children.
This piece was prepared online by Panuruji Kenta, Publisher, SEVENSEAS Media