TOMS Blog

Start Something that Matters, a book by TOMS Chief Shoe Giver, Blake Mycoskie, challenges readers to make a positive change in the world and start a project that matters to them. Whether it is a unique business idea with a giving element or a school assignment to improve the community, each project contributes to making a difference. We’ve received many stories from likeminded individuals that have been inspired to start something that matters. Read on to discover more stories like these.

Recycling and conserving energy are key components in protecting our environment.  Grades of Green takes the green initiative a step further by teaching students how fun it can be to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.

 Started by a group of moms that wanted to make their local school greener and healthier, Grades of Green provides schools with interactive tool kits that make conserving the environment fun.

The program hopes to make environmental protection second nature to students by creating different activities for students to participate in. From “Trash Free Tuesdays” to “Walk to School Wednesdays”, Grades of Green provides students the tools needed to make an impact. Trash Free Tuesday, for example, aims to reduce the amount of trash generated by school lunches. Last year, Grades of Green asked participating schools to host a “Trash Free Lunch Challenge” which concluded with schools diverting 70% of their lunchtime waste!

Kim, from Grades of Green, explains, “If every school were a Grades of Green school, environmental protection would become second nature in millions of young minds. Statistics show that greening schools protects our environment, saves money, decreases absences, and increases test scores, yet most schools lack the guidance and resources to produce tangible results. Grades of Green fills the gap by delivering measurable impact through free, easy, hands on and fun interactive tool kits that you employ at your school to teach students how to reduce trash and chemicals, recycle, compost, save electricity, and conserve water.”

Starting from just one school, Grades of Green now has almost 93,000 students in 151 schools across 23 states and 4 countries. From humble beginnings, these parents saw a problem in their community and decided to take matters into their own hands by starting a program to make a difference in their children’s lives. By making environmental protection a habit at a young age, the better our environment will be for the future.

For those looking to start their own project but don’t know where to begin, Kim left us with this advice, “I think the biggest piece of advice I could give is just to take that first step as every little effort matters. Take a step – make a difference.”

To participate in Grades of Green, check out gradesofgreen.org.