In 2012, Green Start challenged Calgarians to feel good and do good, calling on the most progressive citizens to shape colourful progress. Their community directly reached over 80,000 people with a cause for a cleaner city and conscience.

Their goal was to divert more than 25,000 lbs of waste from Calgary landfills. More than 60,000 lbs later, Green Start's 2012 contribution to the environmental movement far exceeded its expectations:

• Its paper, cardboard, and plastic recycling conserved 3,235 cubic feet of landfill space

• Its organics recycling saved 7,246 pounds of CO2

• Its paper recycling preserved 370 mature trees, prevented 12,767 lbs of air pollution, conserved 152,242 gallons of water, and saved 89,170 kWh of energy

• Its glass recycling saved 3,151 lbs of input resources

• Its plastics recycling conserved 2,602 lbs of oil resources

But Green Start wanted to generate social benefits with its work too. So, in 2012, it founded the Earth Hour Recycling Drive, formed a relationship with Vecova to fund social programs for the disabled, and enhanced public awareness and education through a burgeoning network and a series of successful events.

Through inspiration, collaboration and with the added awareness achieved by a couple of awards, Calgarians are continuing to join Green Start in its celebration of healthy-happy. Let’s multiply this momentum by spreading the word and inviting others to join the movement.

Green Start has challenged its community to break the six-figure barrier, and recycle 100,000 lbs in 2013!