What Green Living Science does

Green Living Science (GLS) is a Detroit-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2007 and incorporated in 2011, operating as the educational outreach arm of Recycle Here!, Detroit's drop-off recycling center. The organization's core function is environmental education and recycling program delivery across three constituent pillars: youth, businesses, and community members. Its technology stack is light, centered on a Wix-hosted website, free downloadable educational resources, social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter), and newsletter distribution — augmented by human-led in-school assemblies, workshops, and field trips. Proprietary content assets include the Georgie's Busy Day children's storybook and the Life of Poly Plastic educational resource.

GLS delivers a portfolio of programs and services. For youth, it provides in-school educational assemblies, in-class lessons, and the Generation Green (Gen:G) Junior Champions summer program (launched 2024 in partnership with Our Backday Detroit), which succeeded the sunsetted Student Recycling Ambassador Program. For businesses, it offers workplace recycling and sustainability programming. For community members, it operates a free curbside recycling cart distribution program for eligible Detroit residents in partnership with the City of Detroit, alongside community workshops and a volunteer Recycling Ambassador program. The organization has served 300,000+ students since its founding.

The business model is donation-based. As a 501(c)(3), GLS is funded through charitable contributions and supplemented by AmeriCorps VISTA staffing partnerships. All end-user-facing programs and resources — including recycling carts, storybooks, and educational materials — are provided free of charge. The organization does not disclose revenue, has no funding rounds or investor ownership, and operates without a parent company. Its sole physical office is at 1331 Holden Street, Detroit, MI. Named institutional relationships are concentrated on Detroit Public Schools Community District (founding partner) and the City of Detroit.

Name

Green Living Science

Legal name

Green Living Science

Website

https://greenlivingscience.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Green Living Science is a Detroit-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers environmental education, recycling outreach, and free curbside cart distribution to Detroit youth, schools, businesses, and residents through community-centered programming.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Education Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

SIC

Sanitary Services (4950)

akta.pro primary industry

Environmental Education & Outreach (BPAGAGAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Environmental Science & Sustainability Programs (Ecology, Climate, Conservation) (EDAMABAD), Sustainability Engagement, Training & Behavior Change Programs (On-site) (BPABALAK), Waste, Recycling & Sustainability Services (EDAEAAAF)

Keywords

• Environmental education programs
• Recycling education services
• Nonprofit environmental outreach
• Youth recycling programs
• Community recycling workshops

Headquarters

HQ city

Detroit

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Green Living Science relies on donations to fund operations and educational programs

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Green Living Science delivers free environmental education and recycling programming to Detroit's youth, businesses, and community members. Its core offerings include in-school assemblies and lessons, workplace sustainability programs, community workshops, a free curbside recycling cart distribution program for residents, and proprietary educational resources such as the Georgie's Busy Day storybook and Life of Poly Plastic curriculum. The organization operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit funded by donations and grants.

Product overview

Green Living Science is a Detroit-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2007 that operates educational programs, recycling programs, and field trips as a unified suite of environmental education services. The organization connects three core pillars—Youth, Businesses, and Community—through programs including free recycling cart distribution, in-school educational programming, youth leadership development (Gen:G and Recycling Ambassador programs), and community-wide awareness initiatives. Supporting offerings include educational resources like the children's book 'Georgie's Busy Day' and printable recycling guides.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Our Backyard Detroit (OBD)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Community programming partnership for the Generation Green (Gen:G) Junior Champions youth program, providing paid leadership and sustainability experience for youth participants.
• Recycle Here!coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRecycle Here! is Detroit's drop-off recycling center and neighborhood recycling program that gave rise to Green Living Science. GLS maintains close ties to this origin organization, serving as its educational outreach arm.
• Detroit Public Schools Community DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe original founding partner that requested environmental education programming, leading to GLS's creation in 2007. Ongoing educational partnerships with schools throughout the district.
• AmeriCorps VISTAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational service program providing VISTA Summer Associates to support community outreach and education. GLS hosts VISTA associates for Community Outreach and Recycling Engagement and Education Specialist roles.
• Local Detroit ArtistsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal artists donate artwork for auction at GLS events like Art & Amble, supporting the organization's fundraising and community engagement.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Earth Force: National nonprofit that empowers youth to solve environmental problems through civic action and school-based programming. Directly comparable to GLS's youth environmental education model and school partnership approach.
• Captain Planet Foundation: Environmental education nonprofit funding and supporting youth-led environmental projects in schools across the U.S. Highly comparable to GLS in K-12 environmental education focus and grant-funded program delivery.
• The Recycling Partnership: National nonprofit focused on improving recycling through residential programs, education, and public-private partnerships. Directly comparable to GLS's recycling cart distribution and community recycling education mission, but at national scale.
• Eco-Cycle: Colorado-based nonprofit running recycling education, zero-waste programs, and community outreach. Comparable to GLS in combining recycling education with community engagement, though operating in a different region.
• Recycle Here!: Detroit's drop-off recycling center and neighborhood recycling program from which Green Living Science originated. Operates the same recycling ecosystem in Detroit and shares GLS's founding team and customer base, making it the closest functional peer.

Broad incumbents

• Keep America Beautiful: Long-established national nonprofit delivering recycling education, community beautification, and litter prevention programs. Comparable mission to GLS in environmental education and community outreach, with broader geographic reach and brand recognition.
• EarthShare: Federation of environmental nonprofits that raises workplace giving funds for member organizations. Comparable to GLS in the environmental nonprofit space and provides an indirect benchmark for donation-funded environmental program delivery.
• National Wildlife Federation: Large national conservation organization with substantial K-12 environmental education programs (e.g., Eco-Schools USA). Comparable to GLS in youth environmental education and school partnerships, with significantly larger scale.
• Closed Loop Partners: Investment platform focused on the circular economy, with programs supporting recycling infrastructure and consumer education. Comparable to GLS in advancing recycling systems and public education, but operating as a finance-enabled entity.

Regional players

• Northeast Recycling Council: Regional nonprofit promoting recycling and source reduction across the Northeastern U.S. Comparable to GLS in recycling education and stakeholder engagement mission, but serving a different geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/GLSDetroit
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCehPSLkK4-I--01frIodhtw
• Facebookfacebook.com/GLSDetroit
• Instagraminstagram.com/greenlivingscience
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/green-living-science

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Green Living Science