About Us

Climate change is the greatest challenge of our lifetime. In order to overcome it, we need to make solutions easy, local, and relevant to everyday people.  

Green Philly is a digital media outlet that connects people to sustainable solutions by providing resources and hosting events. Our mission is to make sustainability local, accessible, and affordable; while also nurturing the growth of the local sustainability community.

Green Philly hosts events throughout the year including panel discussions, educational flash talks, and SustainPHL, Philly’s annual sustainability awards ceremony and celebration.

Make Green Philly your go-to sustainability hub, learning about local changemakers making a difference, ethical businesses, and where to recycle odd objects in our Where Can I Wednesday column. Check our community events calendar, Delaware Watershed Database, and previous episodes of our City Rising podcast on iTunes.

How it Began

Co-Founder Julie Hancher began her career in marketing at a local publishing company. In 2008, one of her coworkers told her that the company was secretly throwing the recycling bin contents into the trash cans.

The unveiling of “Recyclegate 2008” was shocking, and lead to a lightbulb moment.

Sustainability seemed difficult, hard and expensive – and it was 2008! Things should be easier. Shouldn’t companies be should required to recycle?

Fast forward to 2022, and many of the same problems exist in Philadelphia and the world. People still combine trash and recycling – even if it’s the city of Philadelphia on occasion. Companies make decisions without the planet in mind. And continue to combat environmental racism and make the sustainability sector more inclusive.

Green Philly approaches sustainability with a wide lens. Beyond environmental sustainability, we must allow sustainability for ALL people, the planet and afford a comfortable lifestyle.

We believe that when we can educate and empower an individual to make small changes, they’ll become invested in an achievable, sustainable future. Get involved today by signing up for our newsletter.

Green Philly was born from frustrations and expectations that we – Philadelphia, young adults, and community – could simply do better.

Despite its humble beginnings as a blog in 2008, Green Philly has evolved into a robust media organization with a website, social media, events, and podcast.

We value local journalism as a pillar of democracy. Green Philly works collaboratively in the local journalism ecosystem, as a Broke In Philly partner, and has participated in the Delaware River Watershed Reporting Collective, Covering Climate Now, and Civic Story.

Sustainability shouldn’t be hard.

How we’re funded

Green Philly is a benefit corporation, which means we are a socially-focused organization. We’re funded through a mix of sponsors, grants, advertisers, and reader subscriptions.

If you enjoy our content, events, and mission, please contribute to Green Philly. If you are a company or organization that would like to elevate your message to Philadelphia’s sustainability community, contact us about advertising opportunities. If you would like to give a one-time or monthly donation as a reader, contribute here.

Funders

The Team That Makes it Happen…

Julie is a frequent speaker and sustainability expert and has appeared on WHYY Radio Times, Philly Weekly, Travel & Leisure and more. During her tenure at Green Philly, her initiatives have resulted in plastic bag legislation, connected readers to careers, and increased the security of the Schuylkill River Trail.

She graduated from Pennsylvania State University and completed a Climate Change Science, Communication and Action certificate from Cornell University. When she’s not behind a computer, you can find Julie hiking, biking, creating art and recipes, or traveling.