Reducing the amount of waste our society generates and the amount of resources we consume is essential to the survival of our planet — and humanity as a whole.
Global problems like that can feel overwhelming at the local and individual levels, which is why nonprofit “zero-waste” organizations have a mission to show people ways that they can be a part of the solution.
Whether their focus is on reducing food waste, recycling, or preventing plastic from reaching the ocean, every organization has a unique way that they work to address waste.
Every nonprofit needs insurance to operate, but with unique missions and serving diverse communities, no two zero-waste nonprofits are exactly alike. That means that their insurance coverage needs are just as diverse.
So, what do zero-waste nonprofits need from their insurance? Let’s find out.
Meet some zero-waste nonprofits insured by NIA.
We asked some NIA-insured nonprofits with waste-reduction missions how the specifics of their missions determine what they need from their insurance coverage — and their insurance provider — in order to operate safely.
In their own words…
Sustainability is Sexy (San Diego, CA)
“Sustainability is Sexy is a zero-waste organization providing education, community events, and zero-waste services.
Our mission is to inspire and drive innovation within the San Diego community through connection and provide tangible education and solutions to the global climate crisis.
Our zero-waste event programming helps event organizers, vendors, and attendees to divert waste out of our local landfills with pre-event strategies and onsite waste management.
We also have a podcast highlighting sustainable organizations and projects in our community.”
— Liz Murphy, Director, Sustainability is Sexy
ReClaim It (Portland, OR)
“ReClaim It is a nonprofit resale store dedicated to reducing waste and promoting creative reuse.
We are the only organization in Portland salvaging materials from the transfer station.
Since 2014, over 1 million pounds have been diverted from the landfill for Portlanders to reuse, repair, and reimagine.
In addition to our resale store full of unique inventory salvaged from the transfer station by volunteers and donations from the community, we also host two pop-up events every year for local artists to sell their work crafted from at least 80% reclaimed materials.”
— Jonath Ochs, Communications Coordinator, ReClaim It
Concrete Jungle (East Point, GA)
“Concrete Jungle partners directly with farmers to purchase, glean, and recover their imperfect and excess produce, divert it from landfills, and deliver it to hunger relief partners that serve food-insecure communities.
Concrete Jungle reduces food waste and addresses nutrition insecurity through the following community-based programs:
- Produce Buyers Club (PBC): Through PBC, we purchase excess and imperfect produce from local farms and distributors to sell at-cost to metro Atlanta’s hunger relief agencies. We are able to reduce waste, meet local nutrition and hunger needs, and support Georgia’s farmers through this program.
- Picks: We host volunteer harvests at local fruit trees in Atlanta and Athens, and we venture outside of the city for adventure picks to harvest excess from generous farmers.
- Produce Education & Enjoyment Loop (PEEL): A community outreach program, PEEL provides nutrition education and familiarizes clients with produce through recipe demonstrations and taste tests at partner locations.
- Doghead Farm: Doghead Farm is Concrete Jungle’s half-acre urban farm in Southwest Atlanta, which diversifies our produce offerings and provides space for the community to gather and volunteer through bi-weekly workdays.”
— Lindsay Hill, Director of Development, Concrete Jungle
What did these zero-waste nonprofits need most from their insurer?
An insurance provider that understands small nonprofits
“It is important that our insurer understands our unique needs as a small nonprofit organization. We need insurance that will grow with us.”
— Liz Murphy, Sustainability is Sexy
Nonprofit-focused coverage for unique needs
“We needed an insurance provider that was focused on nonprofits and could provide specialized coverage for our unique needs.”
— Jonath Ochs, ReClaim It
Comprehensive, affordable coverage
“Affordability and comprehensive coverage are most important to us when shopping for insurance coverage.”
— Lindsay Hill, Concrete Jungle
How did Zero-Waste nonprofits hear about NIA?
Community members’ recommendation
“As a small, local-focused nonprofit, we found it challenging to find affordable insurance to fit our needs. We finally found NIA after a long search for insurance through a referral from community members.”
— Liz Murphy, Sustainability is Sexy
From a statewide nonprofit association
“Our decision to be insured by NIA predates my time with the organization, but it was likely recommended to us by the Nonprofit Association of Oregon (formerly TACS).”
— Jonath Ochs, ReClaim It
From another nonprofit
“We got a referral for NIA from another nonprofit organization.”
— Lindsay Hill, Concrete Jungle
Since becoming an NIA member, how has that relationship helped these Zero Waste nonprofits?
An insurer that cares about the mission
“Working with NIA has been smooth and, most importantly, they understand the unique needs of our organization. NIA provides our small, local nonprofit with insurance that fits our needs and our budget.
It is clear that they care about the work their clients are doing and are here to help us grow our mission. We are grateful to work with them for our insurance.”
— Liz Murphy, Sustainability is Sexy
Insurance that stands apart from other providers
“NIA has been our trusted insurance provider for over a decade, and NIA’s specialization in nonprofit organizations makes it an ideal fit.
Their expertise in the nonprofit sector and ability to provide specialized coverage for our unique needs sets them apart from other providers.
NIA has stood out by understanding the unique needs of nonprofits, and their tailored approach ensures we get coverage that aligns with our mission and operations.
Knowing that NIA’s risk management services are available gives us peace of mind. It’s great to have access to tools and support that could help us mitigate risks and protect our mission.
NIA’s billing process is one standout benefit: Spreading payments over 10 months without extra fees makes it easier for us to manage cash flow, which is essential for a nonprofit.”
— Jonath Ochs, ReClaim It
Affordable coverage and helpful resources
“We appreciate NIA’s affordable and comprehensive coverage. I’ve found articles in the newsletters to be very informative, helpful, and relevant to current events.
We’ve also attended many of the online risk management webinars! The videos are a good resource — I frequently save them for future reference and share them with new employees as needed.”
— Lindsay Hill, Concrete Jungle
Zero-waste nonprofits need an insurer that understands their mission.
Why do zero-waste nonprofits get their insurance coverage from NIA?
It’s easy: A little understanding goes a long way!
Zero-waste nonprofits are committed to caring for the environment by reducing the amount of waste that enters the environment. They want an insurance provider that sees them for the good they are doing for the planet, not as just another client.
They need coverage from a provider that understands that nonprofits have a mission, that they have unique risks that for-profits don’t have, and that is willing to work with them — even when they’re not the biggest nonprofit or the richest.
Zero-waste nonprofits are on a mission to save the planet — they deserve a partner that celebrates that mission, and does its part to help that mission succeed. We all are counting on it.
