Planet Ark

Planet Ark Environmental Foundation is an Australian not-for-profit environmental organisation, founded in 1992, which works with the public and business alike to help find the simple ways in which they can reduce their impact on the planet, at home, at work and in the community. It is best known for its high-profile recycling campaigns including 'Cartridges 4 Planet Ark', Australia's 'National Recycling Week' and the country's biggest annual community tree-planting event, National Tree Day. The organisation is operated from its office in Sydney.
History.
Ark Australia was founded in 1992 by Paul Klymenko, Peter Shenstone and former Ark UK member Jon Dee. At the time kerbside recycling was in its infancy and environmental information was very limited. The organisation was commissioned to create 300 "Save the Planet" videos involving high profile celebrities and soon became known as Planet Ark. Several major events are organised by Planet Ark including National Tree Day, founded in 1996 with Olivia Newton John; National Recycling Week and the Schools Recycle Right Challenge. The organisation began many high profile campaigns that have since either moved to other providers or become staples of the public recycling sphere, including 'Cards 4 Planet Ark', 'Phones for Planet Ark', Steel Can and Aluminium Can (Al Cans) recycling to name a few. To demonstrate that cleaning products could be as effective without heavy chemical composition, Planet Ark released the Aware Laundry powder range in 1994. This was soon followed by 100% recycled toilet tissue.
Campaigns.
Planet Ark's campaigns seek to drive positive action that directly changes people's behaviour. The organisation is non-political and non-confrontational, aiming to unite people and business in action. Planet Ark's main objectives are to promote sustainable resource use, encourage low carbon lifestyles and connect people with nature. Planet Ark works with businesses and endorses a number of commercial products it considers to be environmentally friendly in production and manufacture, including recycled toilet paper, cleaning products and car tyres.
Planet Ark's campaigns include:
Celebrity supporters.
Celebrities who have fronted Planet Ark campaigns include Pierce Brosnan, Kamahl, Olivia Newton-John, Jamie Durie, Steve Irwin, Kylie Minogue, Dannii Minogue, Nicole Kidman, Tom Cruise, Shelley Craft, Richard Branson and TV personality Tim Webster. Current ambassadors include surfer Layne Beachley, TV personality James Treble, ABC's "Gardening Australia" host Costa Georgiadis, "Grand Designs Australia" host Peter Maddison, author Anita Van Dyke, Dr Amanda Lloyd, Magdalena Roze, Ranger Stacey, Candice Dixon and children's sensation dirtgirlworld.
Popular with the Australian media for its focus on positive actions, Planet Ark's official spokesperson is former actress and television presenter turned environmentalist, Rebecca Gilling.
Criticism.
Planet Ark's carbon capture and sustainable building materials campaign 'Make it Wood' was criticised by Jon Dee and Pat Cash who appeared on television to complain about the links to the timber industry and involvement in drafting the Australian Forestry Standard. which Nick Xenophon has said "raises some serious questions of a potential conflict of interest" and caused Christine Milne to criticise the organisation. Planet Ark responded to the enquiries in a letter explaining its position in detail. The Australian Forestry Standard is an attempt to create an Australian specific standard, as opposed to the international Forest Stewardship Council and Planet Ark recommends choosing FSC wood products.