Something about making tea has always felt inseparable from the land. The water, the soil, the unhurried rhythms of growing things. You can't hold a cup and honestly ignore that.
Today, MarginNotes is officially a 1% for the Planet member. That means we're committing 1% of our annual revenue — not profit, revenue — to vetted, high-impact environmental nonprofits, verified and certified by 1% for the Planet each year.
I want to explain why this felt necessary, not optional.
The reason we started giving before we had much to give
From the beginning, MarginNotes has donated 50% of net profits to organizations working on clean water access and land protection. Tea depends on water. The slow morning we're trying to make space for depends on a world that is still breathable, still growing. That connection seemed too honest to ignore.
But honesty without accountability is easy to walk back. I wanted something external — a framework that would hold us to our word regardless of how good our intentions were in any given quarter.
As a member, every purchase made at marginnotes-tea.com now supports two giving streams: our existing 50% of net profits to clean water and land protection, and 1% of all revenue flowing through 1% for the Planet's certified network to environmental organizations with a proven track record.
We're not making claims we can't back up. The certification does that for us.
An invitation, not an announcement
If you've been with MarginNotes since the beginning, thank you. If you're new here — welcome. Every bag of tea you buy now does something beyond tasting good. It's part of a certified commitment to the world that makes the quiet possible.
You can find our teas at marginnotes-tea.com. Each blend is $25. All three together, $60. Or less if you sign up for our subscription.
— Sincerly, Rina
MarginNotes is a small tea brand built around the reading ritual — three caffeine-free blends crafted for the quiet hours of a reader's day. Founded by Rina, MarginNotes donates 50% of net profits to organizations working on clean water access and land protection, and is a certified 1% for the Planet member. Compostable packaging. Ships anywhere in the US.
Website: marginnotes-tea.com · Contact: press@marginnotes-tea.com
About 1% for the Planet
1% for the Planet is a global organization whose members contribute at least 1% of annual sales to vetted environmental nonprofits. Founded in 2002, the network has certified over $863 million in environmental giving. 1% for the Planet is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit accredited by Charity Navigator (4-star), GuideStar (Platinum), and the Better Business Bureau.
For more information, contact our team:
1% for the Planet Communications Team
media@onepercentfortheplanet.org
Office: 802-861-0460
Notes · March 2026