Student Carrotmob is Saving the World One Scoop at a Time
"This whole event has made us take a deep look at everything we can do to become more sustainable and we plan to continue making greener improvements as time goes on." That's the conclusion of the owners of Sugar Cone Cafe in Kensington where Prospect Sierra students and families recently held a Carrotmob.
In Carrotmob campaigns, an organizer, like Prospect Sierra School's Carrotmob elective, asks several local businesses to compete: Who will pledge to green their business the most?
Then Carrotmobbers show up with their friends at the winning business, and spend money to support them. In this way, businesses are enticed to make environmental improvements by reaping a financial benefit. It's the opposite of a boycott. The Sugar Cone Cafe pledged to:
- Purchase a bike rack, locks and bike pump to encourage alternative methods of transportation to their store
- Host a “Bike to the Cone” Day where the cafe will give 10% discounts to those who use greener transportation alternatives to get to their store that day. A prize will go to the customer that travels the farthest.
- Convert to biodegradable cups
- Establish a composting system
- Get other local merchants and our vendors to pledge to go more green
On June 3rd, hundreds of people Carrotmobbed the Sugar Cone Cafe for a total of 270 transactions, and earnings of $2027 for the cafe in just a few hours. All profits will be used to fulfill their greening pledge. The owners are also working with their suppliers to get the suppliers to switch to using only compostable containers -- if they're successful, they'll have an impact on 65 parlors in California that sell Double Rainbow ice-cream.
Any funds left over once their pledge is fulfilled will be spent on energy efficiency products for the cafe. The happy owners thanked the Carrotmobbers saying, "We are so grateful to have your support and will continue to keep you posted on our progress to green our store, the community and beyond!"
