Model, activist and ambassador for Knot On My Planet Doutzen Kroes joins British sustainable accessories brand Bottletop to launch the #TOGETHERBAND campaign on April 22nd – World Earth Day. Discover more about the campaign.
Bottletop has today launched #TOGETHERBAND with the help of model and activist Doutzen Kroes. The 17-month #TOGETHERBAND campaign aims to engage over a billion people with the UN Global Goals in partnership with the UN Foundation, WWF-UK, Project Everyone, Eco-Age, to.org, MECA, Global Citizen and the Founding Partner UBS.
At the heart of the campaign are 17 sustainably and ethically-produced friendship bands in the colours of each of the UN Global Goals, made from upcycled ocean plastic from Costa Rica and recycled steel from seized illegal firearm metal from El Salvador. The production of the bands is generating skills and livelihoods for women working as artisans in Nepal. With each band purchased, you receive a second band to share with someone important to you, helping to spread the Goals’ critical message. 1 kilo of ocean plastic will be removed from the ocean per purchase and 100% of profits from each #TOGETHERBAND sold will be used to fund life-changing projects working to advance the Goals and build a better future for us all.
The Global Goals were devised by the United Nations in 2015 and are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030. The problem is, awareness of the Global Goals hasn’t yet reached the masses and the clock is ticking. “Everyone needs to be on board, and we need to work together,” says Bottletop. The 17 month #TOGETHERBAND campaign counts down each Goal, launching one per month until the UN General Assembly in September 2020; the key milestone ten years ahead of the target date for us to have achieved the Goals.
Through #TOGETHERBAND, Bottletop is setting out to humanise the Goals by inviting everyone around the world to choose the band that represents the Goal that matters most to them and to share it with someone important to them. A group of #TOGETHERBAND Ambassadors from across the cultural spectrum will help to launch each goal, creating a network of active citizens around each of the Goals across the world.
“At Bottletop we have always believed in the power of sustainable design and creative culture to engage people powerfully in development issues. Through #TOGETHERBAND we are thrilled to combine artisanal craftsmanship with the immediacy and reach of social media to facilitate a cross cultural conversation around the Global Goals as we engage everyone who wants to come together for a healthy future,” says Cameron Saul, co-founder, Bottletop.
Launching today is Goal 15: Life on Land, with ambassadors Michelle Yeoh – actress, producer and UNDP Goodwill Ambassador; Doutzen Kroes – activist and model; and Professor Catherine Ndegwa – WWF Conservation Director.
“I grew up interested in conservation: we were conscious of the water and the plastic we used and we always ate from our own garden. But it was when I took my son on safari to Kenya and learned about the elephant poaching crisis that I knew I had to do something,” says Kroes on why she’s joining #TOGETHERBAND. “For the first time in my life I felt that I had job with a purpose. I could use my connections to make people aware and raise money to help solve it. I wanted to support every Global Goal but I had to pick one so I picked Goal 15 Life on Land because of my work for KOMP and because I care so passionately these majestic creatures with such complex emotions. We need to work together and raise our voices to ensure our kids live on a healthy planet.”
Through the campaign, #TOGETHERBAND VOICES will also tell the stories of extraordinary people working to advance the Goals at a grass-roots level through a series of 17 short documentary films directed by Andrew Morgan (Director of The True Cost). For Life on Land, Morgan introduces us to Jose De Araujo – a wild rubber tapper living in the Amazon rainforest in Brazil.
“From tackling climate action and empowering girls to protecting the ocean and standing up for equal rights, UN agencies are working hard to build a better future for us all through the Global Goals. But they can’t do it alone. Thanks #TOGETHERBAND for connecting people everywhere to the Goals and encouraging us all to take action in our own communities!” says Kathy Calvin, President, UN Foundation.
“BOTTLETOP has designed a sustainable, unisex #TOGETHERBAND friendship bracelet for people to learn about the Goals and play an active role in spreading the word. They are bright, fashionable and, so importantly, give livelihoods to the women who make them. The #TOGETHERBAND campaign represents the future that we’re all fighting for,” says Richard Curtis, Project Everyone.
“BOTTLETOP has designed a sustainable, unisex #TOGETHERBAND friendship bracelet for people to learn about the Goals and play an active role in spreading the word. They are bright, fashionable and, so importantly, give livelihoods to the women who make them. The #TOGETHERBAND campaign represents the future that we’re all fighting for,” says Richard Curtis, Project Everyone.
With every band purchased you will receive two. The Mini #TOGETHERBAND is £20, the Regular #TOGETHERBAND is £35. Available from www.togetherband.organd select retail partners.
Read our interview with Bottletop co-founder Cameron Saul about the campaign.