Founded in 1994, the Green Project began as a volunteer paint recycling program after it became apparent that New Orleans needed a responsible alternative to dumping paint and polluting regional waterways. With equity in mind, our founding members sought to recycle usable paint and resell it back into the community at a reduced rate. In time, this idea expanded to building materials and our salvage store was born. Today, our overarching mission is to promote a culture of creative reuse by diverting usable materials from landfills and cultivating a respect for their value.

We work to create a sustainable New Orleans, in terms of both the environment and the community. By selling used and teaching about reuse, we are able to provide affordable materials to the community, keep usable goods out of the landfill and nearby waterways, preserve historic architectural pieces, educate residents about environmental issues and provide community members with hands-on skills training.

Our mission is executed through three main pathways: our paint recycling program, salvage store, and environmental education program.