Today is Earth Day, so I thought I’d profile a company committed to helping keep the Earth and certain of its inhabitants clean: Dawn. (Yes, as in the dish soap.)
I happened to be washing dishes the other day when I noticed a sticker on their bottle with a bird and the logo “Dawn Saves Wildlife” on it. There was also a web address listed, DawnSavesWildlife.com, so I decided to check it out.
What I found is that they’ve launched a “Make a Difference” campaign to help the countless animals injured or killed by the millions of gallons of oil that taint North American waters every year. They’re goal is “to inspire one million people to do their part to reduce the harm done to animals from human actions.”
Commendable? You bet! Ambitious? Yes. Doable? Definitely.
How Dawn is Making a Difference
I didn’t realize this, but Dawn’s been used by wildlife rescuers for over 25 years. Apparently Dawn not only removes greasy oil from dishes, but also from feathers and fur. Gently and with success. (The release rate only used to be around 3% after most spills, but like with the Treasure Spill in Cape Town South Africa, the release rate has soared to 90%!)
A couple of the organizations Dawn contributes to are the International Bird Rescue Research Center and The Marine Mammal Center. They not only donate bottles of Dawn, but also money that’s used for Rehabilitation Habitats, Rescue Vehicles, and Rescue Center Expansions. (For a list of the other organizations they help, click here.)
Get Involved: How You Can Make a Difference
Humans are consumers by nature, but some of the things we consume and dispose of are toxic to the earth. Oil is one of them. Dawn has some great suggestions for ways we can reduce oil’s impact on our environment, a few of which include:
• Take used oil and antifreeze to designated recycle centers or waste disposal sites.
• Avoid spilling oil on the ground, and never pour it down gutters, storm drains, or in ditches as it’ll drain into creeks, rivers, and oceans.
• Keep your vehicle well maintained so it doesn’t leak on the ground either.
• Dispose of cooking oils and fats in sealed containers and throw them in the garbage instead of pouring it down the sink, where, you guessed it, it’ll drain into creeks, rivers, and oceans.
• If you can get away with not using your car, do it. Take the bus, walk, or ride your bike instead.
How You Can Help Dawn Reach Its Goal
Awareness is crucial, and Dawn is making it fun for you to help spread the word. Log onto their site to:
• Get inside the rescue: Watch rescue videos (called the “Animal Rescue Miniseries”), read “Dawn Difference Diaries,” and view rescue mission photos.
• Start a flock (or join an existing one): You get to pick a virtual animal, decide whether to make it swim, fly, or stand, then you create a message and email it to your friends and family inviting them to join your flock.
• Send e-cards: make your own or choose from an existing design.
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