Celebrating One Year of Purpose, Passion & Progress 🎂

Today, we mark a truly special occasion — one year since Bags for Earth & Science was founded, born from a powerful vision: to reduce single-use plastic waste and fuel life-changing medical research. What began as a grassroots mission has blossomed beautifully.

How far we’ve come

• Raised $18,446 for cancer and chronic disease research

  In November 2024, our inaugural 'Heartfelt Beginning' event gathered community, compassion, and purpose. We dedicated hearts in remembrance or support, raised funds for research - and planted seeds of hope together.  Thanks to your generosity - buying totes, donating and spreading the word, we were able to donate $18,446 to RMIT University School of Health and Biomedical Sciences for the 'Healthy Lifespan and Chronic Diseases program' led by Prof Vasso Apostolopoulos and her research team.

• Sold eco-friendly totes

  Every tote sold is a victory: a step away from plastic pollution and toward sustainable living. With fewer single-use plastic bags polluting landfills and oceans—and every bag brings us closer to clean futures.

• Launched our first signature fundraiser: Heart Tree Day

  On February 14, we held our first online Heart Tree Day, where hearts were dedicated in remembrance or support, and funds raised for research.

Let's keep carrying this mission forward

Your support creates ripples that stretch far beyond a reusable tote:

• Protecting our planet – Australians use ~6 billion plastic bags annually, 88% go un-recycled, polluting land and sea. Choosing a tote isn’t just convenient—it’s catalytic.

• Advancing early-stage research – Government funding often skips bold, early ideas. Your backing fills that gap, empowering scientists to test, innovate, and save lives.

What’s next?

As we celebrate our first year, here’s what’s ahead:

1. Grow Heart Tree Day – turn the Heart Tree Day into an annual fundraiser to unite the community through meaningful giving on Valentines Day.

2. Inaugural School Challenge – host our inaugural Schools Challenge program.

3. Keep funding trailblazing research – ensuring that every dollar raised makes real inroads into medical breakthroughs.

Thank You, from All of Us

To our supporters, volunteers, team, and the brilliant Prof Vasso Apostolopoulos and her research squad: thank you. Together, we’re proving that one bag, one heart, one donation at a time, collectively we can protect Earth and advance science.

Here’s to year one, a foundation of kindness, courage, and change. And here’s to what’s next: more hearts, more bags, more breakthroughs. Let’s keep carrying this mission forward.