Welcome Durga Poudel, Ph.D. to the Ei Advisory Council

On October 18, 2024 renowned Professor Durga Poudel, Ph.D. officially joined the Earth Impact (Ei) Advisory Council!

Durga & his family in NYC, May 2024

According to his official bio, Durga is the Professor and Coordinator of Environmental Science Program, Director of Ag. Auxiliary Units, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Louisiana, USA. 

Durga's research focuses on water quality and nonpoint source pollution control, water quality modeling, climate change adaptation, soil erosion, soil development and productivity, sustainable agriculture, organic farming,  roadside vegetation and highway enhancement, waste water recycling, and farming systems. At the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Durga teaches several soil-science and water-quality courses.

Durga will serve as an invaluable Ei Advisor within the Nature Prevails, Soil Health, and Water Use | Toxicity Ei platforms.

LAI Global Webinar
Fellow Ei Advisor Charles Reith introduced Ei Founder & CEO Holly Elmore to Durga for the Lambda Alpha International (LAI) Agriculture's Impact on Water Quality / Quantity and Land Economics Global Webinar slated for early 2025 broadcast. In addition to presenting on the global webinar, Durga will serve on the LAI Global Land-Water Series Group co-chaired by Holly and Jim Musbach.

In early October, Durga accepted Charles and Holly's co-sponsored LAI At-Large member nomination. On his next quarterly Lafayette visit, Charles will host a local meeting where he will formerly induct Durga into LAI membership; Durga will follow with a presentation on his important work. Charles is a LAI FL Suncoast Chapter member.

About LAI

LAI is the honorary global network for thought leaders 

in all fields related to the preservation and sustainable development of land.

LAI is a growing network of chapters in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe and Asia. Each chapter offers a wide variety of programs with industry leaders, discussion forums, community service projects and networking events.

Membership is highly selective through a nomination process initiated by a LAI member. Nominees for LAI membership must demonstrate ten or more years of experience in their fields, professional distinction, and outstanding contributions to the community in their field of endeavor.

LAI is committed to excellence and high professional standards to make a difference. A value to members is knowing you are someone who helped make that difference.

Asta-Ja Framework*
In June 2008, Durga published the pioneering article, Management of Eight 'Ja' for Economic Development in Nepal, in the Journal of Comparative International Management. From the article abstract:

This paper proposes a theoretically grounded Asta-Ja framework of Eight "Ja" ─Nepali letter "Ja", Jal (water), Jamin (land), Jarajuri (plants), Janawar (animals), Jungle (forest), Jadibuti (medicinal and aromatic plants), Jalabayu (climate), and Jansakti (manpower) and referred to as Asta-Ja in Nepali language for economic development and management of Nepal. More concretely, it identifies and analyzes key elements of the framework to derive its implications for theory and policy development. 

Subsequently, Durga published over a dozen referred journal articles that elucidated Asta-Ja principles, strategies, guidelines, and approaches to sustainable conservation, development, and utilization of natural and human resources for accelerated economic growth, fast-paced socio-economic transformation, and overall securities in Nepal.

The Inauguration of Asta Ja Abhiyan Nepal blog post announces the December 24, 2008 formation of The Asta-Ja Abhiyan Nepal, a non-governmental, non-profit organization co-founded by Durga in his native homeland, Nepal. According to the post:

The Asta Ja Abhiyan Nepal envisions an economically prosperous, environmentally sound, and socially just Nepal through sustainable development and management of Asta Ja. Also, the Asta Ja Campaign Nepal envisions Nepalese people and friends of Nepal recognizing, appreciating, caring, and sustainbly developing and managing Asta Ja for Nepal's prosperity, environmental quality, national pride and societal integrity in their respective capacities. 

Additionally, Durga is the Founding President for Asta-Ja Research Development Center located in Kathmandu, Nepal and Asta-Ja USA located in Hawaii; they are nonprofit nongovernmental organizations, work closely together as sister entities, and institutionalize Asta-Ja.

In January 2024, Durga published the acclaimed book, Asta-Ja for Prosperity, Pride, and National Security, as a compilation of his over-a-dozen articles and papers on the Asta-Ja Framework. At the October monthly Ei Regenerative Working Group (RWG,) Durga shared the Asta-Ja Framework featuring his book with his fellow Ei Advisors. By popular demand, the November RWG meeting topic is a Q&A with Durga.

* unless otherwise referenced, the majority of this section was derived from the Asta-Ja for Prosperity, Pride, and National Integrity preface and back cover.

Ei is honored to welcome Durga Poudel, Ph.D. to the Advisory Council and work with him a variety of endeavors.

DONATE HERE

About Earth Impact:

Earth Impact (formerly Elemental Impact) (Ei) is a 501(c)3 non-profit founded in 2010 as the home to the Zero Waste Zones, the forerunner in the nation for the commercial collection of food waste for compost. In June 2017, Ei announced the Era of Recycling Refinement was Mission Accomplished and entered the Era of Regeneration (June 2017 - June 2024). Focus areas included Nature Prevails, Soil Health | Regenerative Agriculture, and Water Use | Toxicity.

The Regeneration in ACTION Magazine articles, From Organic Certification to Regenerative Agriculture to Rewilding Landscapes: an evolution towards soil integrity and SOIL & WATER: the foundation of life, published to explain and substantiate the importance of Ei’s rewilding urban landscapes work within the Nature Prevails focus area. What We Eat Matters is an emerging platform that intertwines within the three focus areas.

As Ei enters the Era of Impact (June 2024 – present,) gears shift to a new business model, Ei Educates. Though education was always integral to Ei’s important work, the  primary focus was on projects, pilots, and initiatives supported by Ei Partners. The Regeneration Era focus areas carry over into the Era of Impact.

The Holly Elmore Images Rewilding Urban Landscapes-album folder documents two active pilots: the Native-Plant Landscape Pilot and the Backyard Permaculture-Oriented Pilot. The Ei Pilots serve as an educational program.

MISSION:

To work with industry leaders to create best regenerative operating practices where the entire value-chain benefits, including corporate bottom lines, communities, and the environment. Through education and collaboration, establish best practices as standard practices.

Ei’s tagline – Regeneration in ACTION – is the foundation for Ei endeavors.

The following mantra is at the core of Ei work:

Ei is a creator, an incubator.

Ei determines what could be done that is not being done and gets it done.

Ei brings the possible out of impossible.

Ei identifies pioneers and creates heroes.

For additional information, contact Holly Elmore at 404-510-9336 | holly@earth-impact.org.

Era of Impact

On July 11, 2024, then Elemental Impact Founder & CEO Holly Elmore signed the trademark-transfer documents and released the use of Elemental Impact to an independent third party. Signing the documents was Holly's final act as Elemental Impact Founder & CEO.

The Regeneration in ACTION (RiA) Magazine article, Introducing Earth Impact, introduces the new Ei persona, Earth Impact (Ei)!

Perfect Timing
With perfect timing, the Elemental Impact-trademark transfer marked the end of the Era of Regeneration and the entry into the Era of Impact! 

Ei Eras flow within seven-year cycles: Era of Recycling Refinement (2010 inception - June 2017,) Era of Regeneration (June 2017 - June 2024,) and Era of Impact (June 2024 - June 2031.)

Era of Recycling Refinement (2010 inception through June 2017)
In 2010 Ei, a 501(c)3 non-profit, was founded as the home to the Zero Waste Zones (ZWZ), the nation’s forerunner in the commercial collection of food waste for compost. When the ZWZ were sold to the National Restaurant Association in 2012, Ei’s focus shifted to the Sustainable Food Court Initiative (SFCI) via the SFCI – Atlanta Airport Pilot, SFCI – Concord Mills Pilot, and the SFCI – Georgia Dome Pilot.

Holly speaking at the 2018
WorldChefs Congress in Kuala Lumpur
photo courtesy of WorldChefs

Within the SFCI Pilots, whose stated mission was to address Post-Consumer Food Waste, Ei spearheaded a series of materials-resource-recovery projects intertwined with Recycling Integrity:  the Source-Separated Materials-Recycling Template, Total-Materials-Management Approach, Zero Waste-Food Journeys, and Plastic Film Recycling.

Working closely with the SMAT – Sustainable Materials Action Team – Ei responded to industry partners’ requests to develop the Compostable Food & Beverage Packaging-Education Session and the World Chefs Waste | Recycling Course Curriculum. Later, Holly provided the working documents for the World Chefs Food Waste Challenge launched in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia at the 2018 WorldChefs Congress; in the Congress’ final plenary session, Holly presented on The Profitability of Waste: the business case for food waste reduction.

Within the spirit of recycling refinement, Ei launched the Airborne Kitchen Grease Initiative working closely with Ei Partner Grease Lock/Ellis Fibre and the SFCI Pilots.

Era of Regeneration (June 2017 through June 2024,)
In June 2017, Ei announced the Era of Recycling Refinement was Mission Accomplished and entered the Era of Regeneration. Focus areas included Nature Prevails, Soil Health | Regenerative Agriculture, and Water Use | Toxicity.

Conscious Cleaning demo at
Ted's Montana Grill

Until the COVID pandemic in 2020. the Ei Partner-business model remained viable; partner-funded programs included the Ei Conscious Cleaning Initiative and the Three-Step Straw Initiative (TSSI.) While traveling for the TSSI, Holly intertwined work related to the Healthy-Food School Programs.

During the pandemic, Holly returned to her hometown Sarasota, Florida and launched the Ei Rewilding Urban Landscapes Pilots (Rewilding Pilots) in her spacious yard. Once settled in Sarasota, Holly embarked on building a Lambda Alpha International (LAI) FL Suncoast Chapter while establishing herself within the local environmental community.

LAI is the honorary global network for thought leaders in all fields related to the preservation and sustainable development of land.

Thus, the Era of Impact emerged as the Ei business model evolved away from projects, pilots, and initiatives and to Ei Educates.

Era of Impact (June 2024 – 2031)
Timed perfectly with the June 2024 Elemental Impact-trademark transfer and the corporate-name change to Earth Impact (Ei,) the Era of Impact launch closed out the Era of Regeneration.

Incorporated within the Ei Educates-business model, Ei embraces three focus areas/concepts: Collective Consciousness, Soil & Water: the foundation of life, and What We Eat Matters.

Collective Consciousness:
The November 2023 RiA article, Collective Consciousness: a movement, a solution, introduces collective consciousness with a brief history and substantiates how it is integral to Ei’s important work via three examples: 1>Zero Waste is a Team Sport, 2> the Sustainable Food & Beverage Packaging Value Chain Meetings (2011 -2014,) and 3> the Nature Prevails platform.

Soil & Water: the foundation of life
Soil and water are in a sacred marriage that supports life on Earth and must be addressed in unison. Healthy well-structured soil is a living, breathing ecosystem and retains significantly more water than depleted soil. Additionally, healthy soil filters water and removes contaminants as it flows to aquifers. In return, water keeps a healthy soil ecosystem hydrated.

Bee resting within a grass spiral
Photo courtesy of Holly Elmore Images

Insects are the base of predator/prey hierarchy, integral to the natural ecosystem foundation, and essential to supporting the Earth’s life web. Many insects, such as dragonflies and mosquitoes, live their juvenile or larva stage under water and their adult lives on land supporting plants and soil systems; aquatic larva is similar to a butterfly’s caterpillar stage.

The December 2022 RiA article, Soil & Water: the foundation of life, sets a basic premise for the Era of Impact; the article showcases how soil and water are completely integrated with the three Era of Regeneration platforms: Nature Prevails, Soil Health, and Water Use & Toxicity; these platforms carry over into the Era of Impact. 

What We Eat Matters:
In the January 2024 RiA Magazine article, What We Eat Matters (WWEM,) encapsulates Ei’s work during the Era of Regeneration and is organized into three main WWEM categories:

• Personal Health – Nutrition, Physical, Mental & Emotional Health, and Tasty Food.
• World Water Pollution & Depletion – Chemical Farming, Time-Released Fertilizers and Pesticides, and Water-Intensive Food
• Diversity Reduction – Insect Apocalypse & the Holocene Extinction

The WWEM article outlines a roadmap for future articles and Ei Educates activities.

Ei Educates
Though education was always integral to Ei's pursuits over the years, the primary focus was on projects, pilots, and initiatives supported by Ei Partners. As Ei enters the Era of Impact, gears shift to a new business model and platform, Ei Educates.

Within the Ei Educates platform, Ei utilizes its extensive professional network as well as Holly's experience to educate on pertinent environmental and social equity topics. With their in-depth industry expertise and connections, Ei Advisors are essential to Ei Educates successes.

Ei-Hosted Conference Panels & Webinars
The inaugural Ei Educates session debuted at the 2018 U.S. Composting Council hosted in Atlanta, Georgia via the Ei-hosted panel Compost’s Empowering Role in Sustainable Soils; Holly moderated the session and panelists included Ei Advisors and Strategic Allies. It was the most popular break-out session at the conference with every seat filled in the large room. The RiA Magazine article, GAME WON: 2018 compost conference a record-breaking success, showcases the Ei-hosted panel.

Post-COVID pandemic in 2023, Ei Educates webinars and speaking engagements segued into common ground. 

Rewilding Pilots
Designed as an educational platform that inspires by example, the Rewilding Pilots inaugurated community-based tours in the fall of 2023. Once a deck is built under the massive front-yard oak trees, the Rewilding Pilots will host educational workshops; the first workshop planned is Building Healthy Soils 101.

Ei Food Forest
Photo courtesy of Holly Elmore Images

In October 2023, the Ei Food Forest, integral to the Rewilding Pilots, was included in a sold-out Transition Sarasota Eat Local Week food forest tour. The RiA Magazine article, Food forests transform lawns into lovely, beneficial landscapes, recaps the important role food forests play within a myriad of areas and showcases the educational tour.

On January 7, 2024 the FB Group 941 Natural Gardeners hosted the second Rewilding Pilots tour focused on the backyard food forest and the vegetable, herb and edible-flower garden. Nearly 30 intrigued local residents attended the Sunday-morning tour. The RiA Magazine article, Local Food Security: building a movement through yard gardens and food forests, introduces the  modern-day gardening movement and showcases the well-attended tour

Articles
In addition to speaking engagements, webinars, tours and other events, RiA articles are integral to Ei Educates. In the prior Eras, the RiA articles were generally documentary in nature and chronicled Ei's important work. With the advent of Ei Educates, many articles are introductory in nature for emerging concepts or showcase synergies of seemingly disparate issues, events, and/or activities. 

The previously referenced Collective Consciousness, a movement, a solution and What We Eat Matters articles are prime examples of Ei Educates-oriented articles.

Staged to Soar
With a solid foundation built via accomplishments within the Era of Recycling Refinement and Era of Regeneration, Ei is staged to soar within the Era of Impact!

___________________________________________

DONATE HERE

About Earth Impact:

Earth Impact (formerly Elemental Impact) (Ei) is a 501(c)3 non-profit founded in 2010 as the home to the Zero Waste Zones, the forerunner in the nation for the commercial collection of food waste for compost. In June 2017, Ei announced the Era of Recycling Refinement was Mission Accomplished and entered the Era of Regeneration (June 2017 - June 2024). Focus areas included Nature Prevails, Soil Health | Regenerative Agriculture, and Water Use | Toxicity.

The Regeneration in ACTION Magazine articles, From Organic Certification to Regenerative Agriculture to Rewilding Landscapes: an evolution towards soil integrity and SOIL & WATER: the foundation of life, published to explain and substantiate the importance of Ei’s rewilding urban landscapes work within the Nature Prevails focus area. What We Eat Matters is an emerging platform that intertwines within the three focus areas.

As Ei enters the Era of Impact (June 2024 – present,) gears shift to a new business model, Ei Educates. Though education was always integral to Ei’s important work, the  primary focus was on projects, pilots, and initiatives supported by Ei Partners. The Regeneration Era focus areas carry over into the Era of Impact.

The Holly Elmore Images Rewilding Urban Landscapes-album folder documents two active pilots: the Native-Plant Landscape Pilot and the Backyard Permaculture-Oriented Pilot. The Ei Pilots serve as an educational program.

MISSION:

To work with industry leaders to create best regenerative operating practices where the entire value-chain benefits, including corporate bottom lines, communities, and the environment. Through education and collaboration, establish best practices as standard practices.

Ei’s tagline – Regeneration in ACTION – is the foundation for Ei endeavors.

The following mantra is at the core of Ei work:

Ei is a creator, an incubator.

Ei determines what could be done that is not being done and gets it done.

Ei brings the possible out of impossible.

Ei identifies pioneers and creates heroes.

For additional information, contact Holly Elmore at 404-510-9336 | holly@earth-impact.org. 

Introducing Earth Impact

On July 11, 2024, Elemental Impact Founder & CEO Holly Elmore signed the trademark-transfer documents and released the use of Elemental Impact to an independent third party. Signing the documents was Holly's final act as Elemental Impact Founder & CEO.

Immediately upon execution of the trademark-transfer documents, Ei stepped into an evolved persona, Earth Impact!

Earth Impact 
With the documents executed, Holly began the arduous task of segueing Elemental Impact into Earth Impact (Ei.) After securing www.earth-impact.org, Holly and the Ei webmaster embarked on overhauling the website content and transferring the site to a new server. One month later, the Ei website is ready to introduce Earth Impact as Ei's evolved persona!

The Ei social media accounts are changed to Earth Impact, and Holly's new email address is holly@earth-impact.org.

With the tedious work nearly complete, it is time to embrace a new Ei Era!

Era of Impact
With perfect timing, the Elemental Impact trademark transfer marked the end of the Era of Regeneration and the entry into the Era of Impact! 

Ei Eras flow within seven-year cycles: Era of Recycling Refinement (2010 inception - June 2017,) Era of Regeneration (June 2017 - June 2024,) and Era of Impact (June 2024 - June 2031.)

When Ei entered the Era of Regeneration, the Nature Prevails, Soil Health | Regenerative Agriculture, and Water Use | Toxicity Focus Areas were launched and will continue into the Era of Impact.

Within the Era of Impact, Ei embraces a renewed business model Ei Educates.

Ei Educates
Though education was always integral to Ei's important work, Ei's primary focus was on projects, pilots, and initiatives supported by Ei Partners. As Ei prepares to enter the Era of Impact, gears shift to a new business model and platform, Ei Educates.

The RiA Magazine article, Ei Educates, chronicles the Eras of Recycling Refinement and Regeneration and introduces Ei Educates as the evolved business model.

Within the Ei Educates platform, Ei utilizes its extensive professional network as well as Holly's experience to educate on pertinent environmental and social equity topics. With their in-depth industry expertise and connections, Ei Advisors are essential to the success of Ei Educates.

Ei Advisor Kathy Kellogg
Johnson at the podium
photo courtesy of Holly Elmore Images

The inaugural Ei Educates session debuted at the 2018 U.S. Composting Council Conference hosted in Atlanta, Georgia via the Ei-hosted panel Compost’s Empowering Role in Sustainable Soils; Holly moderated the session and panelists included Ei Advisors and Strategic Allies. It was the most popular break-out session at the conference with every seat filled in the large room. The RiA Magazine article, GAME WON: 2018 compost conference a record-breaking success, showcases the Ei-hosted panel.

Post-COVID pandemic in 2023, Ei Educates webinars and speaking engagements segued into common ground. 

In addition to the plethora of Ei-Hosted Conference/Webinar Panels, Ei hosts educational sessions via tours of the Ei Rewilding Urban Landscapes Pilots (Rewilding Pilots) located in Holly's front and backyards. To date, two successful Rewilding Pilot tours were hosted with near-capacity attendance.

At three-years old, the Rewilding Pilots are ready to serve as an Ei educational platform via tours, workshops, and events. Once the weather cools in the fall, a Building Healthy Soils 101 workshop is slated for local residents. When funding is raised, a large deck with ample seating under the front-yard oak trees will host events.

In February 2024, Holly accepted the Lambda Alpha International (LAI) invitation to serve as the Global Water-Land Series Group Co-Chair. 

On June 13, 2024, the Group hosted the Introduction to Water and Land Economics Global Webinar; introductory in nature, the webinar was designed as a foundation for a plethora of future webinars on more specific topics. As the Co-Chair, Holly orchestrated the superb webinar and invited two Ei Advisors to serve as webinar panelists. The RiA Magazine article, Introduction to Water and Land Economics, gives an in-depth summary of the impressive webinar. To view the recorded Introduction to Water and Land Economics webinar, click HERE.

In addition to speaking engagements, webinars, tours and other events, RiA articles are integral to Ei Educates. In the prior Eras, the RiA articles were generally documentary in nature and chronicled Ei's important work. With the advent of Ei Educates, many articles are introductory in nature for emerging concepts or showcase synergies of seemingly disparate issues, events, and/or activities.

The November 2023 RiA article, Collective Consciousness: a movement, a solution, introduces collective consciousness with a brief history and substantiates how it is integral to Ei's successes. 

In the January 2024 RiA Magazine article, What We Eat Matters (WWEM,) Ei's accomplishments over the past seven years are organized into three main WWEM categories:

• Personal Health - Nutrition, Physical, Mental & Emotional Health, and Tasty Food.
• World Water Pollution & Depletion - Chemical Farming, Time-Released Fertilizers and Pesticides, and Water-Intensive Food.
• Diversity Reduction - Insect Apocalypse & the Holocene Extinction.

The WWEM article outlines a roadmap for future articles and Ei Educates activities.

Ei received a $100,000 anonymous  to expand the Ei Educates platform.

THANK YOU
The tedious, yet smooth transition from Elemental Impact to Earth Impact was possible due to the unwavering support and expertise of Ei In-Kind Partners:

• Thompson Hine - Ei General Counsel & Thompson Hine Partner, Greg Chafee ensured the trademark-transfer documents accurately reflected the negotiated parameters in a professional manner, filed the Earth Impact name-change amendment with the Georgia Secretary of State, and shared his sage advice with Holly throughout the negotiations.
• HLB Gross Collins - Ei Treasurer & HLB Gross Collins Shareholder Pauline Reynolds advised Holly on the tax implications of the trademark transfer and gave guidance on the name change with the IRS.
• Thompson Creative - Lee Thompson, Thompson Creative Owner, updated the Ei logo expeditiously as she embarked on European travels.
• Atlanta Web Design - Ei Webmaster and Atlanta Web Design Owner, Jonathan Beacher dedicated the extraordinary amount of time necessary to address the multiple challenges inherent within the Earth Impact-website launch.

New Adventures
With a solid foundation built via Elemental Impact's tremendous and varied successes over nearly fifteen years of environmental accomplishments, Earth Impact has a clean slate to embark on exciting, impactful work. Earth Impact's future is exceptionally BRIGHT!!!

___________________________________________

DONATE HERE

About Earth Impact:

Earth Impact (formerly Elemental Impact) (Ei) is a 501(c)3 non-profit founded in 2010 as the home to the Zero Waste Zones, the forerunner in the nation for the commercial collection of food waste for compost. In June 2017, Ei announced the Era of Recycling Refinement was Mission Accomplished and entered the Era of Regeneration (June 2017 - June 2024). Focus areas included Nature Prevails, Soil Health | Regenerative Agriculture, and Water Use | Toxicity.

The Regeneration in ACTION Magazine articles, From Organic Certification to Regenerative Agriculture to Rewilding Landscapes: an evolution towards soil integrity and SOIL & WATER: the foundation of life, published to explain and substantiate the importance of Ei’s rewilding urban landscapes work within the Nature Prevails focus area. What We Eat Matters is an emerging platform that intertwines within the three focus areas.

As Ei enters the Era of Impact (June 2024 – present,) gears shift to a new business model, Ei Educates. Though education was always integral to Ei’s important work, the  primary focus was on projects, pilots, and initiatives supported by Ei Partners. The Regeneration Era focus areas carry over into the Era of Impact.

The Holly Elmore Images Rewilding Urban Landscapes-album folder documents two active pilots: the Native-Plant Landscape Pilot and the Backyard Permaculture-Oriented Pilot. The Ei Pilots serve as an educational program.

MISSION:

To work with industry leaders to create best regenerative operating practices where the entire value-chain benefits, including corporate bottom lines, communities, and the environment. Through education and collaboration, establish best practices as standard practices.

Ei’s tagline – Regeneration in ACTION – is the foundation for Ei endeavors.

The following mantra is at the core of Ei work:

Ei is a creator, an incubator.

Ei determines what could be done that is not being done and gets it done.

Ei brings the possible out of impossible.

Ei identifies pioneers and creates heroes.

For additional information, contact Holly Elmore at 404-510-9336 | holly@earth-impact.org. 

The Macro Cost of Micro and Nanoplastics

Microplastics on a lantana
plant at a botanical garden
photo courtesy of Holly Elmore Images

Micro-level-plastic contamination yields tremendous hidden costs to communities, the environment, and food-chain systems. Though often not seen by the human eye, fragmented microplastic pieces are poisons in our soils | water microbial communities as well as to fish, mammals, birds and most all life forms. 

Over time, microplastics, defined as less than or equal to 5 mm, disintegrate into nanoplastics; additionally nanoplastics may be directly released into the air, waterways, and soils. As micro and nanoplastics are prevalent across the globe, even in the most remote lands and the exceptional depths of the oceans, concerns about the health implications to human and all life on earth is escalating. 

Health Implications
Per the Mayo Clinic March 2024 article, What’s lurking in your body? Mayo probes health risks of tiny plastic particles, a landmark study just published in the New England Journal of Medicine links microplastics and nanoplastics found in plaques of human-blood vessels to a potential increased risk of heart attack, stroke or death. Chemical additives to plastics that enhance flexibility and durability are of particular concern. As it provides digestion and blood-detoxification functions for the body, the liver is at high health risk from micro and nanoplastic infiltration.

The February 2024 Environmental Health News post Microplastics and contaminants found in breast milk: a cause for concern? summarizes a recent Washington Post article by Jillian Pretzel as follows:

• Research has identified microplastics, pesticides, and flame-retardant chemicals in human-breast milk.
• Experts stress breast milk's health benefits for both the mother and child, despite potential risks from contaminants.
• Measures like opting for organic foods and avoiding plastic can help minimize exposure to these pollutants.

Key quote:

"It's definitely concerning when we find chemicals in breast milk that are known to affect child development."  Erika Schreder, science director for Toxic-Free Future.

Microplastics in wild-caught fish
Photo courtesy of the 5 Gyres

According to the ScienceDaily 2022 story, Nano-sized plastics may enter and permeate cell membranes:

Researchers have used molecular modelling methods to investigate the movement of nano-sized plastics in membrane structures. The results indicate that for some microplastics, passive transport through the cell membrane may be a significant gateway into the cell.

As nanoplastics may segue through cell walls, it is probable that plant-based food will soon, if not already, contain plastic pollution.

With the prolific micro and nanoplastic pollution contaminating the Earth, health implications for all life on earth is a major concern.

Plastics in the Soils
Below is an excerpt from the RiA article, What We Matters:

With the common use of time-released fertilizers and pesticides in conventional farming came an unintended consequence: the flooding of micro and nanoplastics into the soils from the time-release capsules. ... and what goes into the soils eventually ends up in the aquifers and waterways.

In May 2022, the Center for International Environmental Law published a report on the plastics in the soils, Sowing a Plastic Planet: How Microplastics in Agrochemicals Are Affecting Our Soils, Our Food, and Our Future. From the astonishing report:

Plastics are everywhere in agriculture, from greenhouse films and landscaping fabrics to crop coverings and product packaging. Many of these uses provide pathways for plastic contamination. But the application of plastic-coated agrochemicals to soils and crops directly introduces microplastic into the environment and potentially into the food supply. It also compounds the health and environmental hazards posed by agrochemicals themselves.

One of the least known and most concerning sources of microplastic pollution is their deliberate addition to synthetic fertilizers and pesticides used in industrial agriculture.

Microplastics disintegrate into nanoplastics that are capable of segueing through cell walls. Thus, plants may join the animal-protein food contaminated with plastics.

As they use compost and other natural substances for crop nutrition and generally abstain from agrochemicals, organic and regenerative farms do not contribute to the tremendous plastics in the soils from plastic-coated capsules.

Industry Pioneer
Beginning in 2015, Earth Impact (then Elemental Impact) (Ei) delved into the plastic-pollution crisis with an emphasis on micro and nanoplastics.

Plastics GYRE Symposium
Ei provided behind-the-scenes support for the ground-breaking 2015 Plastic GYRE Symposium: Artists, Scientists and Activists Respond hosted in Atlanta by the Center for Disease Control and Georgia State University. 

Scott Seydel at the podium
photo courtesy of Holly Elmore Images

The two-day Symposium included a stellar program that ran the gamut of educating on the horrific facts of the plastic-pollution scenario to providing a good news blitz of positive action-in-place to explaining the social justice (or injustice) surrounding the gyre & other plastic-pollution impacts. Prominent industry experts traveled from across the nation to share their experience, research, and call-to-action.

Founding Ei Chair Scott Seydel presented on the Beyond Greenwash: Extended Producer Responsibility panel with a powerful topic that emphasized plastic's value in the global economy. Scott focused on the current recycling rates, end uses for the various plastics, and how states with bottle bills enjoy significantly higher recycling rates.

Though first discovered in 2004 by University of Plymouth (United Kingdom) Professor Richard Thompson OBE FRS, awareness of microplastic pollution was not yet commonplace in 2015; thus, the Symposium addressed only the macro-plastic pollution crisis.

The RiA article, Plastic GYRE Symposium: Artists, Scientists and Activists Respond, chronicles the impressive symposium.

National Zero Waste Business Conference (NZWBC)
At the 2016 NZWBC hosted in Austin, Texas, Ei hosted an impressive, popular break-out session, The Macro Cost of Micro Contamination. Ei Partner Rick Lombardo, Natur-Tec Director Business Development, North America, was accompanied by 5 Gyres Director of Global Partnerships & Community Engagement Lia Colabella. Ei Founder & CEO Holly Elmore moderated the panel.

Rick & Lia, the dynamic duo
photo courtesy of Holly Elmore Images

While Lia presented on the documented plastic pollution crisis in our oceans, Rick educated on a similar dilemma building within our soils in his Compostable Plastics vs. Traditional Plastics presentation.

To help understand the origins of microplastic contamination, Rick educated on fragmentation, biodegradability and compostability as follows:

• Fragmentation – first step in the biodegradation process, in which organic matter is broken down into microscopic fragments.
• Biodegradability – complete microbial assimilation of the fragmented product as a food source by the soil microorganisms.
• Compostability – complete assimilation within 180 days in an industrial-compost environment. 

Note the difference between biodegradability and compostibility is TIME. By definition, organic material decomposes within 180 days while bio-degradation may take as long as millions of years.

Due to the fragmentation process, ocean plastic pollution is now referred to as plastic smog. Clean-up is challenging to impossible due to the microscopic size of the plastic. Aquatic life consumes the fragmented plastic; larger pieces remain within the digestive tract and smaller ones integrate within the flesh. Thus, plastic enters the human-food system!

The RiA Magazine article, The Macro Cost of Micro Contamination, educates on the alarming environmental and health challenges associated microplastic pollution and provides a summary of the impressive session.

Plastics: a double-edged sword
In late 2019, Ei explored the plastic-pollution scenario via the RiA article, Plastics: a double-edged sword. From the article:

The seemingly magical gift of plastic came with a double-edged sword filled with the potential to destroy life as it is currently known on Earth.

In less than seventy years, humans managed to infiltrate the Earth with micro and nanoplastics from discarded single-use and durable products in literally every nook and cranny, ranging from the arctic snow caps to the depths of the oceans and everywhere in between. 

It is time to shift perspectives from human-focused to life-focused and let the Earth show us how to heal the damage inflicted. Answers will come to those who live and take action from the heart.

Book cover
photo courtesy of Holly Elmore Images

Before addressing the environmental and health challenges associated with plastic pollution, the in-depth article provides a history of plastics and explains how plastics literally evolved nearly every realm of human existence.

As a pandemic project, Holly published the inaugural Ei book designed for print, From Macro to Micro to Nanoplastics, as an excerpt of the Plastics: a double-edged sword. Holly Elmore Images contributed images for the educational book.

Additionally, the book includes the following new sections:

• Plastics at the beach - showcases how readily available durable and single-use plastic items are common place during beach enjoyment.
• Beyond litter, cigarette butts are plastic pollution - explains how cigarette filters are made of cellulose acetate, a plastic.
• Ei Exploration of Fungi, Soil Health & World Hunger - gives an overview of the empowering October 2018 exploration.
• COVID-19 plastic pollution - explains how the recent pandemic resulted in a new surge in plastic pollution.

Era of Impact
As Ei segues into the Era of Impact, a focus on micro and nanoplastics will interweave within the recently launched Ei Educates platform.

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DONATE HERE

About Earth Impact:

Earth Impact (formerly Elemental Impact) (Ei) is a 501(c)3 non-profit founded in 2010 as the home to the Zero Waste Zones, the forerunner in the nation for the commercial collection of food waste for compost. In June 2017, Ei announced the Era of Recycling Refinement was Mission Accomplished and entered the Era of Regeneration (June 2017 - June 2024). Focus areas included Nature Prevails, Soil Health | Regenerative Agriculture, and Water Use | Toxicity.

The Regeneration in ACTION Magazine articles, From Organic Certification to Regenerative Agriculture to Rewilding Landscapes: an evolution towards soil integrity and SOIL & WATER: the foundation of life, published to explain and substantiate the importance of Ei’s rewilding urban landscapes work within the Nature Prevails focus area. What We Eat Matters is an emerging platform that intertwines within the three focus areas.

As Ei enters the Era of Impact (June 2024 – present,) gears shift to a new business model, Ei Educates. Though education was always integral to Ei’s important work, the  primary focus was on projects, pilots, and initiatives supported by Ei Partners. The Regeneration Era focus areas carry over into the Era of Impact.

The Holly Elmore Images Rewilding Urban Landscapes-album folder documents two active pilots: the Native-Plant Landscape Pilot and the Backyard Permaculture-Oriented Pilot. The Ei Pilots serve as an educational program.

MISSION:

To work with industry leaders to create best regenerative operating practices where the entire value-chain benefits, including corporate bottom lines, communities, and the environment. Through education and collaboration, establish best practices as standard practices.

Ei’s tagline – Regeneration in ACTION – is the foundation for Ei endeavors.

The following mantra is at the core of Ei work:

Ei is a creator, an incubator.

Ei determines what could be done that is not being done and gets it done.

Ei brings the possible out of impossible.

Ei identifies pioneers and creates heroes.

For additional information, contact Holly Elmore at 404-510-9336 | holly@earth-impact.org. 

Ei Educates

Though education was always integral to Elemental Impact's (Ei) important work over the years, Ei's primary focus was on projects, pilots, and initiatives supported by Ei Partners. As Ei prepares to enter the Era of Impact, gears shift to a new business model and platform, Ei Educates.

Era of Recycling Refinement (2010 inception through June 2017)
In 2010 Ei, a 501(c)3 non-profit, was founded as the home to the Zero Waste Zones (ZWZ), the nation's forerunner in the commercial collection of food waste for compost. When the ZWZ were sold to the National Restaurant Association in 2012, Ei's focus shifted to the Sustainable Food Court Initiative (SFCI) via the SFCI - Atlanta Airport Pilot, SFCI - Concord Mills Pilot, and the SFCI - Georgia Dome Pilot.

Within the SFCI Pilots, whose stated mission was to address Post-Consumer Food Waste, Ei spearheaded a series of materials resource-recovery projects intertwined with Recycling Integrity, the Source-Separated Materials-Recycling Template, Total-Materials-Management Approach, Zero Waste-Food Journeys, and Plastic Film Recycling.

Holly educates at the WorldChefs Congress
photo courtesy of World Chefs Association

Working closely with the SMAT - Sustainable Materials Action Team - Ei responded to industry partners' requests to develop the Compostable Food & Beverage Packaging-Education Session and the World Chefs Waste | Recycling Course Curriculum. Later, Holly provided the working documents for the World Chefs Food Waste Challenge launched in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia at the 2018 WorldChefs Congress; in the Congress' final plenary session, Holly presented on The Profitability of Waste: the business case for food waste reduction.

Within the spirit of recycling refinement, Ei launched the Airborne Kitchen Grease Initiative working closely with Ei Partner Grease Lock/Ellis Fibre and the SFCI Pilots.

Era of Regeneration (June 2017 through June 2024,)
In June 2017, Ei announced the Era of Recycling Refinement was Mission Accomplished and entered the Era of Regeneration. Focus areas included Nature Prevails, Soil Health | Regenerative Agriculture, and Water Use | Toxicity.

Healthy school lunch at City
of Greenville Public Schools
photo courtesy of Holly Elmore Images

Until the COVID pandemic in 2020. the Ei Partner-business model remained viable; partner-funded programs included the Ei Conscious Cleaning Initiative and the Three-Step Straw Initiative (TSSI.) While traveling for the TSSI, Holly intertwined work related to the Healthy-Food School Programs.

During the pandemic, Holly returned to her hometown Sarasota, Florida and launched the Ei Rewilding Urban Landscapes Pilots (Rewilding Pilots) in her spacious yard. Once settled in Sarasota, Holly embarked on building a Lambda Alpha International (LAI) FL Suncoast Chapter while establishing herself within the local environmental community.

LAI is the honorary global network for thought leaders in all fields related to the preservation and sustainable development of land.

Thus, the Ei Educates platform emerged as the Ei business model evolved away from projects, pilots, and initiatives.

Ei Educates
Within the Ei Educates platform, Ei utilizes its extensive professional network as well as Holly's experience to educate on pertinent environmental and social equity topics. With their in-depth industry expertise and connections, Ei Advisors are essential to the success of Ei Educates.

Ei Advisor Kathy Kellogg Johnson
presenting at the 2018 USCC panel
photo courtesy of Holly Elmore Images

The inaugural Ei Educates session debuted at the 2018 U.S. Composting Council hosted in Atlanta, Georgia via the Ei-hosted panel Compost’s Empowering Role in Sustainable Soils; Holly moderated the session and panelists included Ei Advisors and Strategic Allies. It was the most popular break-out session at the conference with every seat filled in the large room. The RiA Magazine article, GAME WON: 2018 compost conference a record-breaking success, showcases the Ei-hosted panel.

Post-COVID pandemic in 2023, Ei Educates webinars and speaking engagements segued into common ground. 

As a member of the LAI Global Water-Land Series Group (Group), Holly orchestrated the Coastal-Water Quality: Challenges, Solutions, and Economic Impact global webinar; panelists were members of the LAI FL Suncoast Chapter underdevelopment. The RiA article, Coastal-Water Quality: Challenges, Solutions, and Economic Impact, gives an in-depth synopsis of the empowering presentations; the 90-minute recorded webinar may be viewed at this LINK.

After an informal similar presentation for the Unitarian Universalist Church Green Team in late 2022, Holly spoke at the February 2023 ECO Democrats Manatee monthly meeting to an enthusiastic audience, in person and online. The RiA Magazine article, Soil & Water The Foundation of Life, recaps the presentation outline with more in-depth information. 

The Temple of Understanding invited Ei to host the May 2023 monthly Eco Justice for ALL Dialogue. With the topic, Environmental Stewardship: the business perspective, Holly orchestrated a panel of Ei Advisors as the dialogue speakers. The RiA Magazine article, Environmental Stewardship: the business perspective, highlights the impressive dialogue; the entire dialogue is available for viewing on YouTube.

For the virtual October 2023 Humanity Day celebration, Holly was interviewed regarding Ei’s decades-long impact and her personal philosophies. The 12-minute-interview video is available on Vimeo for viewing. The RiA Magazine article, I AM Humanity, gives an overview of Holly's interview.

In October 2023, the Ei Food Forest, integral to the Rewilding Pilots, was included in a sold-out Transition Sarasota Eat Local Week food forest tour. The RiA Magazine article, Food forests transform lawns into lovely, beneficial landscapes, recaps the important role food forests play within a myriad of areas and showcases the educational tour.

Holly welcomes tour guests
photo courtesy of Ei

On January 7, 2024 the FB Group 941 Natural Gardeners hosted a Rewilding Pilots tour focused on the backyard food forest and the vegetable, herb and edible-flower garden. Nearly 30 intrigued local residents attended the Sunday-morning tour. The RiA Magazine article, Local Food Security: building a movement through yard gardens and food forests, introduces the  modern-day gardening movement and showcases the well-attended tour.

In February 2024, Holly accepted the Lambda Alpha International (LAI) invitation to serve as the Group Co-Chair. 

On June 13, 2024, the Group hosted the Introduction to Water and Land Economics Global Webinar; introductory in nature, the webinar was designed as a foundation for a plethora of future webinars on more specific topics. As the Co-Chair, Holly orchestrated the superb webinar and invited two Ei Advisors to serve as webinar panelists. The RiA Magazine article, Introduction to Water and Land Economics, gives an in-depth summary of the impressive webinar. To view the recorded Introduction to Water and Land Economics webinar, click HERE.

The Group's fall global webinar topic is Agriculture’s Impact on Water Quality & Quantity and Land Economics. A primary focus will be on nitrate contamination, the most widespread contaminant in the world. Additionally, the webinar will address other toxins associated with chemical-based agriculture.

At three-years old, the Rewilding Pilots are ready to serve as an Ei educational platform via tours, workshops, and events. Once the weather cools in the fall, a Building Healthy Soils 101 workshop is slated for local residents. When funding is raised, a large deck with ample seating under the front-yard oak trees will host events.

Articles
In addition to speaking engagements, webinars, tours and other events, RiA articles are integral to Ei Educates. In the prior Eras, the RiA articles were generally documentary in nature and chronicled Ei's important work. With the advent of Ei Educates, many articles are introductory in nature for emerging concepts or showcase synergies of seemingly disparate issues, events, and/or activities.

Group photo at the 2014
Sustainable F&B Packaging Meeting
photo courtesy of Ei

The November 2023 RiA article, Collective Consciousness: a movement, a solution, introduces collective consciousness with a brief history and substantiates how it is integral to Ei's important work via three examples: 1>Zero Waste is a Team Sport, 2> the Sustainable Food & Beverage Packaging Value Chain Meetings (2011 -2014,) and 3> the Nature Prevails platform.

Additionally, Crew Consciousness is showcased within Ei Advisor and Ringling School of Art & Design Professor of Environmental Studies Tim Rumage's This Spaceship Earth. 

The article ends with a feature on the 2023 Humanity Day event hosted by I AM Humanity; Ei was intertwined within the virtual global event and the in-person event hosted in Sarasota. While Tim and Holly were interviewed for the virtual event, Ei Advisor Charles Reith served on the impressive panel at the in-person event.

In the January 2024 RiA Magazine article, What We Eat Matters (WWEM,) encapsulates Ei's important work over the past seven years is organized into three main WWEM categories:

• Personal Health - Nutrition, Physical, Mental & Emotional Health, and Tasty Food.
• World Water Pollution & Depletion - Chemical Farming, Time-Released Fertilizers and Pesticides, and Water-Intensive Food 
• Diversity Reduction - Insect Apocalypse & the Holocene Extinction

The WWEM article outlines a roadmap for future articles and Ei Educates activities.

Era of Impact
A future article will formerly announce the Era of Impact, explain the evolution of Ei's business model.  and showcase how Ei Educates is integral to the new Era.

___________________________________________

DONATE HERE

About Elemental Impact:

Elemental Impact (Ei) is a 501(c)3 non-profit founded in 2010 as the home to the Zero Waste Zones, the forerunner in the nation for the commercial collection of food waste for compost. In June 2017, Ei announced the Era of Recycling Refinement was Mission Accomplished and entered the Era of Regeneration. Current focus areas include Nature Prevails, Soil Health | Regenerative Agriculture, and Water Use | Toxicity.

The Regeneration in ACTION Magazine articles, From Organic Certification to Regenerative Agriculture to Rewilding Landscapes: an evolution towards soil integrity and SOIL & WATER: the foundation of life, published to explain and substantiate the importance of Ei’s rewilding urban landscapes work within the Nature Prevails focus area. What We Eat Matters is an emerging platform that intertwines within the three focus areas.

The Holly Elmore Images Rewilding Urban Landscapes-album folder documents two active pilots: the Native-Plant Landscape Pilot and the Backyard Permaculture-Oriented Pilot.

MISSION:

To work with industry leaders to create best regenerative operating practices where the entire value-chain benefits, including corporate bottom lines, communities, and the environment. Through education and collaboration, establish best practices as standard practices.

Ei’s tagline – Regeneration in ACTION – is the foundation for Ei endeavors.

The following mantra is at the core of Ei work:

Ei is a creator, an incubator.

Ei determines what could be done that is not being done and gets it done.

Ei brings the possible out of impossible.

Ei identifies pioneers and creates heroes.