Samoa x Greater Good Diaper Project
with Sarah, Duchess of York
Utilizing the circular economy to reduce plastic waste via a compostable diaper system
For this journey, we invite you to bring your children on an unforgettable journey of planetary health to experience the pilot of a revolutionary program with the potential to trigger the largest and most cost effective plastic prevention program on the planet, by eradicating one of the worst plastic waste offenders in the world, diapers. In a once in a lifetime opportunity, this group will be accompanied by the fearless and effervescent global leader, Sarah, Duchess of York, on a project that is closely aligned with her mission to engage young leaders and improve climate health. The tropical islands of Samoa provide a majestic backdrop through which we will immerse ourselves in some of the most beautiful natural settings and vibrant culture, followed by Fiji, where we will dive deep into learnings of oceanic conservation amidst stunning landscapes.
July 15-22, 2025
Grandmothers, mothers and children ages 8-13
Part 1 Sustainability immersion in Samoa with Sarah, Duchess of York: A circular economy pilot
The first part of our journey will welcome you deep into the Pacific to the Samoan islands, where you will be introduced to the basics of sustainability while being deeply engaged with the Samoan people of our homesite, the small village of Poutasi. We will be hosted by Poutasi village High Chief Tuatagaloa Joe Annandale, also the owner of Sinalei Reef Resort, where we will be staying in Samoa.
While on the small island, your group will be pleasantly surprised at how quickly we will be immersed and welcomed into the village environment. We will engage in thoughtful experiences designed to bring the concepts of circular economy to life, as the foundation for our pilot program. Your children will compare waste audits with their Samoan peers, challenging their notions of waste, and the entire group will participate in plate weaving with local women before sharing a traditional meal, which will highlight how minimizing waste is a part of everyday Samoan life. The Greater Good Diaper Project team will give us frontline access to their pilot program, supported by several of the Samoan ministries, and which has been unveiled to all the leaders of the Commonwealth at CHOGM, 2024.
As a takeaway, both mothers and children will gain insights into our current ‘take, make, waste’ world, and innovative alternatives that mimic nature and regenerate natural systems. This pilot, once mature, will eradicate nearly a third of Samoan waste and redirect it back into the agricultural needs of the villages. The concept of “true costs” are also explored as we dig into the current economic model that ignores the cost of the waste that companies produce. This includes not only the pollution created, but the cost of the clean-up and the environmental damage it creates, and importantly. who bears the burden of these expenses.
We will be joined on our trip by the vivacious global leader Sarah, Duchess of York. The Duchess will join us for both powerful moments with the local community and intimate settings with our group when you will hear her many life stories, her perspective on why climate change is one of the most important global issues of our time, all while enjoying the company of one of the world’s most beloved members of the extended British royal family. Recently having launched the Youth Impact Council at Climate Week 2024, the Duchess is using her global voice to amplify the voices of youth on their quest to participate in global climate health. Through intimate access to conversation with her, you and your children will be beyond inspired by her words of wisdom and call to action.
The mothers in our group will join the Duchess in conversation with powerful women in the Samoan government, of which the Prime Minister and much of the senior cabinetry are female, while your children will spend their day in workshops with local youth leaders who are empowering young women to play a significant role in leading political and cultural change in Samoa. To complement all this programming, there will still be plenty of time for adventuring to the infamous To Sua Ocean trench, swimming with the turtles and exploring a private island by way of kayak.
This first part of our journey will leave both mothers and children with an understanding for early philanthropy concepts that span framing global challenges, understanding global players working to solve those challenges, power dynamics, what makes for great partnerships and lastly, firsthand experience with how nonprofits approach solutions for long-lasting impact.
Sarah, Duchess of York, has dedicated over three decades to advocating for underserved women, children, and communities globally.
Part 2 Oceanic conservation adventure in Fiji: empowering families for impact
Following Samoa, the group will adventure onto the stunning tropical land and oceanic habitats of Fiji, where you will experience some of the world’s most beautiful waters, cementing our deep desire to protect them. The group will arrive via seaplane to Kokomo Island, home to the world’s fourth largest barrier reef and an intimate resort that is overwhelmingly dedicated to deep conservation and sustainability efforts. Beyond the stunning landscape of this private island, Kokomo invites you into the world of ocean conservation with its experience-rich programming that educates with awe and wonder. Mothers and children will learn directly from marine biologists in the crystal blue waters while learning about their Manta conservation program and participating in their onsite coral restoration project, which involves nursery planting and replacing bleached corals on the nearby reef.
This second part of our journey will hone our AtlasDaughters learnings from the bigger picture in towards the family and the self. We will lead mothers and children in workshops that will assess family values alignment, financial literacy topics including the role of philanthropy as a family participatory activity, storytelling, leadership topics, and actionable impact frameworks that both mothers and children can take with them following their journey.
What makes an AtlasDaughters journey unique is our multi-generational philanthropy curriculum that complements your field visits and adventures, inspiring you and your family to go deeper into how you create an impact in the world. Beyond the natural beauty and cultural richness of these two South Pacific geographies, we invite you on a journey of adventure, deep human interconnectedness, and an experience that is sure to ignite a passion for protecting our world’s land and oceanic habitats.
About our nonprofit partner, The Greater Good Diaper Project
27% of household waste in the South Pacific is diapers.
With diapers now one of the largest contributors to the plastic waste crisis globally (UNEP), The Greater Good Diaper Project replaces plastics with compostable materials, stopping plastic pollution at the source.
Motherhood unleashes a new depth of strength within us, and when it comes to protecting our children and their environment, we are fierce. Yet diapers are one of the largest contributors to the plastic waste crisis on the planet, destroying the very home we are meant to protect for our children. With 380,000 diapers a minute entering landfills and polluting our oceans, our convenience is costing our children the earth. But necessity is the mother of invention.
When the Duchess became aware of these statistics, she became passionate about finding solutions. Learning that all diapers today contain plastic (even the eco-friendly brands), the Duchess began to understand the dire consequences that our planet cannot absorb this waste. She has brought together women from around the world as scientists, innovators, community leaders and funders, to use their power to change diapers for good.
The result is The Greater Good Diaper Project - providing the world’s first fully compostable diaper, paired with a collection and composting service. Not only does this stop plastic pollution at the source, but it also allows all diapers to compost into nutrient rich soil, regenerating our natural systems. This project is also designed through a female lens. This simple shift has a profound impact on every aspect of the business, from how work hours are structured to how decisions are made, our partner recognizes that female employees are often caregivers and celebrates this rather than penalizes it. The project empowers mothers and puts women at the center of the solution. No plastic. No garbage.
Although diapers are a global problem, the Governments of the South Pacific are leading with policy. Three countries have legislated a ban on the importation of disposable diapers in order to curb the 185,000 tons of plastic diaper waste polluting the South Pacific each and every year. With diapers accounting for 27% of all waste in the region, both governments and communities are committed to addressing the crisis. The Greater Good Diaper Project is currently working with the support of the Samoan Government on a pilot project, putting mothers at the center of the solution.
This groundbreaking pilot solution was unveiled for The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), where 56 heads of state from the Commonwealth countries gathered in Samoa, in October 2024.
Our goal was to demonstrate the ease and simplicity of the solution to Majesty King Charles III, along with the other Commonwealth leaders, in order to promote replicability. With almost one billion diapers used per year in the South Pacific alone, the solution has the potential to be catalytic and become the single largest plastic pollution prevention program on the planet.
About Sarah,
Duchess of York
Sarah, Duchess of York, has dedicated over three decades to advocating for underserved women, children, and communities globally. Her philanthropic journey spans continents, witnessing first-hand the impact of her projects and has been marked by numerous achievements and recognitions, including receiving The Order of the Smile for her exceptional care for children.
In 1993, she founded Children in Crisis, an organization that has educated 1.4 million children, providing them with opportunities for brighter futures. She expanded her impact by launching Chances for Children in the US in 1994, demonstrating her commitment to extending her mission across borders. In 2020, she established Sarah's Trust, consolidating her support for various causes and organizations that she has championed over the years. Through Sarah's Trust, she has provided grants to grassroots charities and has operated in more than 20 countries, positively impacting countless lives and communities worldwide.
The Duchess is deeply involved in education initiatives, serving as the Co-Founder of the Montessori Group Education for the Future Fund and Chair of the International Montessori Ambassadors Group. Her commitment to health care extends to supporting organizations such as The Teenage Cancer Trust, where she has opened nearly all of their 28 units nationwide over the past three decades and her patronages include hospices, children's charities and women's empowerment initiatives.
She was recently appointed as Co-Chair of Global Citizen NOW: Melbourne, driving conversations on climate change, hunger, girls' education, and poverty and highlighting the importance of youth leadership. Her environmental activism extends to her role as global ambassador for The Perfect World Foundation, where she supports wildlife conservation efforts.
The Duchess is a vocal leader on issues close to her heart, regularly speaking at global forums and book festivals. Her tireless advocacy, compassion, and philanthropy embody her unwavering commitment to effecting positive change in the world. She serves as a beacon of hope, uplifting countless lives with her generosity and support.
Co-funding grant opportunity
Change a million diapers with us. Help the island nation of Tuvalu be the first country to eradicate diaper waste in the world.
Currently, Tuvalu is on the world stage due to its unfortunate status as the first country on earth which will succumb to rising ocean levels… and sink. The people of this beautiful island nation have done the least to contribute to the climate crisis yet are on the front lines of its effects.
One crisis the Government can solve, and has prioritized, is eliminating the plastic waste created by disposable diapers. Their goal is to become the first country in the world that transitions to fully compostable diapers, eliminating waste, while creating nutrient rich compost. The cost: $1million. This AtlasDaughters cohort will have the opportunity to collectively fund this $1M investment.
With diapers being one of the largest contributors to the plastic waste crisis globally, Tuvalu’s success would garner international attention and has the potential to shift the disposable diaper industry on a global scale.
Join us in supporting Tuvalu!
Join us on this unforgettable journey
We invite you on a journey of adventure, deep human interconnectedness, and an experience that is sure to ignite a passion for protecting our world’s land and oceanic habitats.