PRESS RELEASE WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2008
CONTACT:
Joseph Porcelli
857-222-4420
INTRODUCING THE MUG PROJECT
REDUCE WASTE. USE A MUG.
Boston, MA. January 23, 2008: Founded by Joseph Porcelli and Dan Goldsbury, neighbors in Jamaica Plain, MA, The Mug Project is a community of individuals and organizations which advocates the use of mugs to reduce waste from disposable cups.
Last November, during their daily encounter at City Feed and Supply, Joseph noticed that his friends Caleb and Cheryl always bring their own mugs to purchase their morning coffee. Noting that City Feed and Supply offers a beverage discount to promote this practice, Joseph computed that he alone uses and throws away over 500 disposable cups per year. Disgusted by his revelation, he shared the idea to start a project with some of his friends, including his neighbor Dan. After a 30 second conversation, Dan said, “Let’s do it.” Four hours later they had launched a concept, a website (www.mugproject.com), and a hilarious video on YouTube.com called Don’t cheat on your mug.
According to International Paper, they estimate 14.4 billion paper cups were discarded by Americans in 2005. This doesn’t include styrofoam cups, lids, warmer sleeves, beverage trays, or any of consumption by product. To help reduce the tremendous amount of waste produced by disposable cups, Joseph and Dan embarked on their strategy which includes:
- Developing partnerships with national coffee and coffee product retailers to promote The Mug Project on their websites and at points of purchase. Ideally, retail partners would create pricing incentives and display signage to notify their customers: “We support The Mug Project by offering a discount when you bring your own mug”, and would establish policies to eliminate the use of disposable cups by their employees.
- Inviting universities, corporations, and government offices to 1) establish policies to reduce or eliminate the use of disposable cups by employees, students, and food service providers, 2) provide incentives to employees and students to bring their own mugs to work and school by offering discounts where they purchase beverages, 3) document the impact they make, and invite their employees/students to join their groups, on www.mugproject.com.
- Creating an online viral marketing campaign on MySpace, Facebook, and Going involving disposable cup profiles, The Mug Project groups, and ridiculously funny promotional videos.
- Blogging, speaking at engagements, and doing interviews.
Joseph and Dan’s efforts have proven successful! The Mug Project is supported by members from around the country and world. So far, members come from: MA, VT, OR, MI, NC, UT, CA, AL, TN, IL, IN, MO, GA, WI, as well as from London Ontario, Canada and Chennai Tamilnadu, India. Organizations are also getting involved. Boston Cares, who organizes and leads team oriented volunteer opportunities throughout Greater Boston will be inviting their members to pledge to use Mugs in their new “Take the pledge campaign” starting in February! At Boston Police Headquarters, where Joseph works, the Cafeteria is now offering a $.10 discount when people bring in their mugs!
The Mug Project’s website (www.mugproject.com) is busy with activity! Visitors and members are discussing topics including their favorite mugs, where they can purchase cool mugs, how they can reduce waste at church by using mugs, and what to do during a drought when their city is encouraging them to conserve water by using disposable cups rather than washing mugs. They are also joining fan clubs of their favorite coffee shops and producers, and mapping them on The Mug Project Partners map.
The Mug Project’s first official event will be The Mug Project Super Bowl Party on Tuesday, February 3rd, 7:00 PM, at The Milky Way Lounge and Lanes - 403 Centre Street, Jamaica Plain, MA. Patrons will watch the Super Bowl on The Milky Way’s big screen and enjoy beverages in their own favorite mugs and give aways from CoolPeopleCare.com. Patrons are strongly encouraged to bring their own mugs, and to donate $2 to support The Mug Project. Media Advisory to follow in coming days.
About Dan and Joseph:
Dan Goldsbury, a graduate of Colchester High School and The University of Vermont, is a High School Specialist at Citizen Schools in Boston. Joseph Porcelli, a graduate of Kimball Union Academy and Saint Michael’s College, is a Program Coordinator in the Neighborhood Crime Watch Unit at Boston Police and is the founder and volunteer Executive Director of Neighbors for Neighbors. Both Dan and Joseph live in Jamaica Plain, a diverse, eclectic, and lively neighborhood of Boston.
About Neighbors for Neighbors:
Operating in Jamaica Plain, MA, Neighbors for Neighbors brings neighbors together in person to satisfy the human need to connect and care for one another. We do this so neighbors may discover common interests and passions and organize around them, transforming their great ideas into actions that contribute to our community. We socialize. We organize. We make a difference. Neighbors for Neighbors envisions communities where all neighbors know each other by name, say hello to each other on the street, feel safe, and contribute to each other’s quality of life. Since its inception in November 2004, over 4000 neighbors have connected and created over 70 Social Clubs, Community Projects, and Partner Projects. They generated over 6000 hours of service and civic engagement and provided countless volunteers to local non-profits and initiatives. In 2005, 2006, and 2007, the readers of the Jamaica Plain Gazette named Neighbors for Neighbors “Best of JP” for Neighborhood Organization.
