Can we even imagine a world without water? Water is one of the basic necessities of life and two-thirds of Earth is water, yet only a small fraction is available for human usage and consumption. Water is a finite and irreplaceable resource and is essential for human well-being — this means that we need to take sustainable steps to conserve it.
Manufacturing paper requires a lot of water, and International Paper (IP) has been a serious steward of water. They have diligently made improvements to their water footprint since 2010 by reducing the usage in paper production, as well as by returning quality water back to the environment. IP has been recycling paper and boxes to make new paper products, and they have corporate sustainability goals that they want the world to know about. The primary driving motive behind the sustainability goals is to promote a safe workplace and a healthy natural environment. They also are committed to sustainability and growing the world’s concern for water-related issues.
IP put out a request for a proposal for a water-related curriculum that would highlight the actions they take to conserve water and prevent water pollution in an industry that uses lots of water. Clean Memphis responded with details on how to talk to students about the importance of water conservation, water pollution, and how important water is to everyone in a community, along with sustainable practices.
Clean Memphis already has partnerships at the school level where they go into the Shelby County public school classrooms and support teacher instruction by providing hands-on education that focuses on the environment. Students also learn about where our trash goes, the goals of zero waste, and how Memphis can become a zero-waste city. They learn about composting, recycling, and the circular economy. IP has been a partner of Clean Memphis for many years, and is a financial supporter of Clean Memphis’ education and other programs.
“Clean Memphis worked hard to develop lessons that showed both a global and a local perspective — local ‘anywhere,’ as this curriculum was to be distributed through International Paper facilities to local teachers in their communities,” says Clean Memphis Director of Education Michelle Cowan. “The curriculum, in its entirety, was translated into French, Spanish, and Portuguese for distribution in Brazil, Mexico, the United States, and Canada, as well as countries in its European locations, such as Portugal.
“Personally, I have found this curriculum to contain impactful lessons — bringing to the forefront a resource that we take for granted here in the United States. In general, hands-on and demonstration lessons are powerful means to communicate big ideas; we are finding this fun, interactive curriculum to be well-received by teachers and students alike,” continues Cowan.
“Clean Memphis will be conducting professional development for seniors in the undergraduate education department at the University of Memphis this winter, and International Paper is providing full kits free of charge for each participant. These teacher candidates will learn how to use their kits to provide hands-on lessons for their future students for the standards addressed.”
In a press release, Dr. Alissa Campbell Shaw, Senior Manager of Global Corporate Social Responsibility at International Paper, said, “At International Paper, we work to build a better future for people and the planet, and we are committed to improving the long-term sustainability of shared water resources. We believe that stewardship means striving to leave everything in better shape for future generations, and hope that, with this curriculum, students will learn to be good stewards of water in their own lives.”
“We are so proud to have worked with International Paper to develop this comprehensive and fun curriculum about the importance and scarcity of clean, fresh water,” Cowan said in the release. “We are committed to making Memphians better stewards of our water here in Memphis, and happy to work with International Paper as they distribute this curriculum throughout the United States and around the globe.”
To learn more about Water is Wonderful, contact michelle@cleanmemphis.org.