A Letter from Cleo — What Our Earthshot Prize Nomination Means to Me, and to Redyoos
Dear friends,
There are moments in life when words fall short — moments so full of emotion, gratitude, and disbelief that they stop you in your tracks. This is one of them. I’m deeply humbled and honored to share that Redyoos has been nominated for the 2025 Earthshot Prize — in the category Build a Waste-Free World.
For those who may not know, the Earthshot Prize is one of the world’s most respected environmental awards, founded by Prince William and The Royal Foundation. Its mission is simple yet profound: to identify and support the most promising solutions to repair the planet by 2030.
And somehow, our small team from Seattle — with our envelopes, stories, and community of everyday recyclers — has found its way onto that global stage.
What This Moment Feels Like
When I got the call, I felt a rush of emotions: disbelief, excitement, pride, and something else — humility.
Because this nomination isn’t just about Redyoos. It’s about the people who believed in the idea before it was real. It’s about our partners who stood beside us as we built something new. And it’s about every single person who has mailed in their old jewelry, trusting us to handle it with care and purpose.
Why This Matters
The Earthshot Prize category Build a Waste-Free World is about creating a future where nothing is wasted — where everything is reused, repaired, and reimagined. For Redyoos, that’s exactly what we set out to do: take something small, personal, and often overlooked — the jewelry sitting in drawers and boxes — and turn it into something powerful.
Every necklace, earring, or ring that passes through Redyoos helps prevent new mining, reduces environmental strain, and gives valuable materials a second life.
We started with a single goal: make it free and easy for anyone to recycle jewelry responsibly. But what we’ve discovered along the way is that it’s about more than recycling — it’s about reconnection. Reconnecting people to their values, to each other, and to the possibility of doing good through small, simple acts.
What It Means for Our Team
This nomination is a milestone — a recognition of the heart, persistence, and vision that our small but mighty team pours into this mission every day. Behind every envelope, there are real people — those who design our kits, partner with recyclers, write stories, host events, and show up for this cause even when no one’s watching.
This moment belongs to them. To the dreamers and doers who choose purpose over perfection.
Looking Ahead
In November, I’ll travel to Brazil to join fellow Earthshot nominees and innovators from around the world. We’ll share ideas, exchange stories, and explore ways to accelerate progress toward a circular, waste-free planet.
I’m walking into that space carrying the voices of our entire community — from our Seattle partners to every person who’s ever taken the time to send something back. This nomination tells me that we’re on the right path. That change doesn’t always start with large systems — sometimes, it begins with something as small as a single envelope.
From My Heart
To our team, our supporters, and everyone who’s been part of this journey: thank you. Thank you for believing that recycling jewelry could mean something bigger — that what we wear, keep, or release can all be part of healing the planet.
Thank you for helping us prove that sustainability doesn’t have to feel heavy. It can feel hopeful. It can feel human. We’re just getting started — and I can’t wait to see where this next chapter takes us.
With love and gratitude, Cleo
