A community-minded approach to sustainability
At MAYO, we believe the most meaningful change often starts close to home. It begins with small, thoughtful actions that may seem simple on their own, but become powerful when they are shared across a community. That belief is at the heart of our 1% for the Planet giving, and it is what makes this partnership between MAYO, Green Maids Cleaning, and York Ready for Climate Action so meaningful.
Small changes that add up
Green Maids has shown that sustainability can be woven into everyday business decisions in ways that truly matter. Through its Eco Straws initiative, the company is helping local coffee shops replace single-use plastic straws with compostable alternatives. It is a small change, but one that adds up over time when more businesses and customers take part.
Green Maids also brings this commitment to life through its beach cleanup efforts, helping care for the Seacoast and protect the natural spaces that make this region so special. That combination of hands-on action and community care is exactly what makes Green Maids such a strong partner in this work.
Supporting residents at home
York Ready for Climate Action continues to lead by making climate action accessible for residents through its EcoHOMES program. The program gives homeowners and renters simple, practical ways to reduce energy use and lower emissions in their own spaces. That kind of approach matters because it meets people where they are and helps make climate action feel doable, not distant.
Together, these efforts show how local leadership can create momentum in everyday life.
A compostable straw…
A beach cleanup…
A home energy step…
Each one is small on its own, but together they represent the kind of steady, community-based progress that lasts.
Voices from the partnership
“Eco Straws started as a simple idea, but it has become something much bigger because of the people and businesses willing to support it,” John O’Brien of Green Maids Cleaning shared. “When local shops make the switch, it is one more step toward reducing waste in a way customers can see and feel.”
Sarah at York Ready for Climate Action added, “Programs like EcoHOMES are about making climate action approachable for residents. When people can take one manageable step at a time, it builds confidence and creates real momentum in the community.”
From our perspective at MAYO, this partnership is a reminder that giving is most meaningful when it stays local and supports work that is already making a difference.
“We are proud to help connect organizations that care deeply about the Seacoast,” stated Carrie Mayo. “Small investments can have a big reach when they support people who are already doing the work.”
Why local matters
In a world filled (at times) with big challenges, it is easy to overlook the value of small local action. But local work is often where trust is built, habits are changed, and lasting progress begins. When businesses, nonprofits, and community leaders come together with shared purpose, even modest efforts can create real momentum.
That is what makes this partnership feel so special. It is not about one large gesture. It is about many thoughtful ones, working together to support a healthier future for the Seacoast and the people who call it home.
