environmentally conscious habitat organizations

who we are

ECHO System is a Philadelphia member-based network of businesses, organizations, and community members intent upon—through its actions—eliminating single-use waste.

Our Partners

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The Problem

Globalized economies of scale have created consumer trends that are destructive to the ecological health of the planet and its people. We’ve normalized trash.

Let us illustrate it for you:

art by

Celia de Caumette
Tap the art below to learn more

If only 9% of plastic is being recycled, we know we are not working within a sound circular economy that is cradle to cradle. Instead, we are dealing with a cradle to grave system where non- renewable resources are being destroyed.

The chasing arrow symbol was created almost 50 years ago. We need to update our recycling processes and create more stable recycling industries domestically.

Poly Lactic Acid is derived from corn and other vegetable starches. Though these “bioplastics” are better than the traditional petroleum-based plastic, they still require a lot of water and have the potential of depleting soil systems. The industrie… — Poly Lactic Acid is derived from corn and other vegetable starches. Though these “bioplastics” are better than the traditional petroleum-based plastic, they still require a lot of water and have the potential of depleting soil systems. The industries that make plastic also make bioplastics, still creating pollution. There is no viable infrastructure to compost these materials. They require commercial facilities which do not exist.

Many body products contain phytates and microplastics. These compounds are classified as Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs). The endocrine system regulates hormones in the body, and EDCs disrupt regular hormone balance, putting us at higher risk … — Many body products contain phytates and microplastics. These compounds are classified as Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs). The endocrine system regulates hormones in the body, and EDCs disrupt regular hormone balance, putting us at higher risk of cancer, obesity, and heart disease.

In PA there were at one point 74 landfills, now there are about 41 because the rest were full. Most of our trash gets incinerated or gets transported by train to another state altogether.

Fly Ash is the material that comes out at the bottom of incinerators. Their compounds are highly toxic.

Many incinerators are located in marginalized neighborhoods where asthma rates skyrocket due to emissions from the thousands of trucks coming in and out each week.

All synthetic clothing such as Rayon and Polyester degrade in the wash through the agitation process causing microplastics to enter the water.

Once a piece of trash leaves your hand, there is no knowing where it will end up. It can become litter on the side of the road and often finds its way to the ocean. There are 5 landmasses the size of North America made of plastic waste.

Due to China's import ban on recyclables from the US and Europe, now recycling materials are being shipped to countries with insufficient infrastructure to manage these materials safely.

We are chained to a toxic over-packaged marketplace. Almost all of our food comes packaged in single -use plastic. Plastic industries massively contribute to climate change.

People are confused about what is recyclable and what is not. This lack of awareness causes massive contamination at the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF).

HOW WE HELP

“Talk about game changers, ECHO Systems turned our amazing street festival into a truly community-run zero-waste operation.”

— Mt. Airy Village Fair