COLLECT THE GREEN (COLLECT) is a non-profit organization and Green Jar coalition that seeks to improve and raise awareness towards proper waste management and disposal through educational programs, campaign work and brand awareness.

Nearly everything we do leaves behind some kind of waste. With seventy percent of U.S. municipal solid waste getting buried in landfills, education and awareness in the area of waste and waste management is increasingly important from a global perspective of resource management. Older, poorly-designed or poorly-managed landfills continue to create a number of adverse environmental impacts such as wind-blown litter, attraction of vermin, a generation of liquid leachate, and gas (mostly composed of methane and carbon dioxide). The obvious alternatives to landfills are waste reduction, and recycling strategies.

During the Winter of 2010 COLLECT and LA/NY based sneaker company FLIGHT CLUB teamed up to COLLECT worn sneakers from some of the NBA’s most environmentally conscious teams in an effort to recycle product that would otherwise be disposed of as material waste. COLLECT received the most generous and notable donations of used practice sneakers (worn sparingly) from the LOS ANGELES LAKERS (which includes a pair from none other than Kobe Bryant/Vivo) and the GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS. All sneakers were  donated to Soles 4 Souls Haiti shoe project.

During the Spring of 2010 COLLECT teamed up with NYC’s fashion retail stores by collecting all store plastic hangers normally discarded after received through stock shipments. These hangers were then donated to army surplus stores within the five boroughs. Stores involved were Marc Jacobs, Ralph Lauren, & Michael Kors.

For information on how to become involved please email collect@greenjar.net