Operation Warm celebrates World Environment Day with release of new sustainable coat, the Green Guardian™

 Operation Warm, a national nonprofit that creates brand new,  high-quality coats and gifts them to children in need, has developed a new sustainable coat called the Green Guardian^TM, as part of its ‘more than a coat’ program and a celebration of World Environment Day.

World Environment Day is the UN's most important day for encouraging worldwide awareness and action for the protection of our environment. Since it began in 1974, it has grown to become a global platform for public outreach that is widely celebrated in over 100 countries.

World Environment Day: If you can’t reuse it, refuse it

This year, World Environment Day’s mission is to Beat Plastic Pollution, which is a growing epidemic. In 2014 alone, over 30 million tons of plastics were landfilled in the United States. A single plastic bottle can take nearly 500 years to decompose.

Operation Warm aims to help the cause with its recent debut of The Green Guardian™, its new eco-friendly coat made of recycled plastics. Operation Warm’s goal is to manufacture and provide 15,000 Green Guardian™ coats to children in need across North America this coming fall.

The Green Guardian™ - Developed to Keep Kids Warm and Help the Planet

"The world is in crisis with this plastic pollution. Our mission is to serve children in need, but if we can help save the environment at the same time, it’s a win-win," explains Dick Sanford, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Operation Warm.

The Green Guardian™ coat’s shell, fleece, and lining are made from recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) also called #1 plastics, most commonly used to manufacture plastic bottles.

"Our eco-friendly coat is stylish and durable. It has been designed to withstand hours of playing outdoors and to protect against harsh winter temperatures. However, The Green Guardian™ also addresses the plastic bottle crisis and gives us an opportunity to further educate children about environmentalism."

Each Green Guardian™ coat will keep the equivalent of 32 plastic bottles out of landfills and oceans. In 2018 alone, Operation Warm's Green Guardian™ will save nearly 500,000 recycled plastic bottles.

"The Green Guardian™ will be our contribution to the crisis that we have in this world; our little drop in the bucket,” Sanford continues. “I personally believe it is everyone's responsibility to help others, and this is how Operation Warm can support kids and help the planet.”

To learn more about supporting children in need with Green Guardian™ coats, visit operationwarm.org/green.

About Operation Warm: Operation Warm is a national nonprofit that creates brand new, high-quality coats for children in need. Every child, regardless of their economic situation, deserves a brand new coat. We partner with compassionate individuals and organizations across North America to give a gift of warmth, confidence and hope to children in need. Operation Warm believes a brand new coat is more than a coat, promoting self-esteem, school attendance and outdoor play. By 2019, Operation Warm will serve its 3 millionth child.

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Operation Warm

Operation Warm

Operation Warm provides warmth, confidence and hope to children in need through the gift of brand new winter coats.

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