The GreenPlate Story
GreenPlate evolved in response to the research and findings of Algalita Marine Research Foundation. Over the last decade, Algalita has exposed the “Plastic Soup” swirling in the Pacific as well as it’s impacts on marine life and environment.
Montine Blank, GreenPlate Inc.Once she learned of the plastic issues, GreenPlate Co-Founder Montine Blank stopped her Atlanta life, drove across the country and volunteered with Algalita in Long Beach, CA. Upon her return to Atlanta, She was determined to continue efforts to raise awareness and bring about change.
Montine Blank and co-founder Polly Sattler launched GreenPlate,Inc. in early 2008, a non-profit organization seeking to reduce the consumption of single-use plastics. GreenPlate uses funding to educate consumers and restaurateurs so they might change buying and usage habits.
In the fifteen years prior to working in the non-profit sector, Montine launched two one-of-a-kind businesses and managed strategic communications and corporate training as a consultant. Clients included Tech Data Corporation, BellSouth Corporation, and Accenture. Montine continues to collaborate with Algalita Marine Research Foundation.
Polly Sattler, GreenPlate, Inc.Co-founder Polly Sattler has spent her career focused on environmental causes. When she learned of the plastics issue, she claims it was the first time she felt “truly overwhelmed” by a man-made environmental issue. Polly explains, “In many ways the use of plastics has made life much more convenient. Yet as responsible consumers, we need to begin looking at ways to remove our dependence… this will reduce our depletion of oil and lessen toxic impacts. We can find easy ways to make positive impacts.”
Polly is a sustainability expert and lobbyist with over 16 years of experience in the Atlanta environmental and political arena. She also has in depth knowledge of sustainable building practices, recycling, composting and corporate social responsibility issues.
Prior to co-founding GreenPlate, Polly had her own environmental consulting firm, Sustainable Business Partners. Past clients include Georgia Pollution Prevention Association (P2AD), Turner Renewable Energy, the RainHarvest Company, CollectiveGood, and Sharp Solar. She has also worked for Southface Energy Institute, the Clean Air Campaign, Earth Share of Georgia and Georgia Conservation Voters. Ms. Sattler has a Masters in Environnmental and Resoruce Policy from Georgia Washington University in Washington, D.C.
A testimonial about Polly from Beth Bond: "What strikes me besides the fact that [Polly] knows everyone, is the macro understanding she has for how leaders can move forward in doing large scale planning. Polly is always involved in community minded activities. Whether she's consulting with companies, in particular the restaurant industry, for enhancing business practices implementing green iniatives, to helping with the Green lobby day at the State Capital, to driving a bio-fuel Volkswagon, to co-hosting a holiday party where people bring canned goods to help community food banks, Polly is someone we can all aspire to learn from."
Jennifer BennettSales and Marketing Representative Jennifer Bennett is continually becoming more aware of environmental opportunities. Just as the majority of others, family never considered the impacts on the environment from wasteful living; recycling was a needless hassle, and besides, who was going to pick it up? As she is exposed to more information and analysis from the scientific community, Jennifer’s grasps what one person’s impact is, and how easy it is to minimize that impact. Every day she takes “green baby steps”.
What started as minimizing the amount of trash to save money on Decatur garbage bags, has evolved to basing purchases on the waste it creates, to now becoming more proactive, and giving her time to a green non-profit.
Once, a few years ago, someone asked her “what moves you?” She honestly did not have an answer. Becoming involved with GreenPlate was kismet; absolutely the perfect time, with the perfect movement. Jennifer now hopes to become an example to her family, and other families who want to be more eco-conscious, but don’t know how, or where to start.