A Fox Chapel teen who launched a free recycling program last year is looking to add some helpers.

Kabeer Chopra, 17, founded GreenBridge412 to help residents get rid of materials such as batteries, plastics and glass in a responsible manner.

He goes to clients’ houses on Sundays to collect the items.

Batteries are taken to Staples. Glass is deposited in the recycling bin behind Fox Chapel’s borough building, and plastics are donated to Giant Eagle.

“It’s like a gap in the community that needs to be filled,” Chopra said of his green initiative. “Without me picking it up, it would end up in a landfill. That would be worse for the environment.”

A little more than a year and 150 sign-ups later, the Shady Side Academy junior could use some volunteers.

Those interested do not have to be residents or need to give up their weekends.

Chopra said he would reach out to clients and help schedule visits.

There is one requirement to join the team: a desire to help people.

“Anybody that’s willing to help make a difference,” Chopra said. “It can really be any day to collect the stuff. It’s whenever they’re available (and) anyone who is willing to help pick up stuff. I have one volunteer right now.”

Most of the clients are in Fox Chapel. There are a few in Aspinwall.

The service is free to anyone who could use it.

People can register as clients or as volunteers through greenbridge412.com. They also can call 412-426-5311 or email contact@greenbridge412.com for more information.

The client list has grown through word of mouth, flyers and social media.

About 6,211 glass bottles, 642 pounds of plastic packaging and 334 pounds of household batteries have been collected.

“I didn’t expect to go this well in one year,” Chopra said. “But there’s still a lot of way to go and more that I can do for the community.”

Plastics include grocery and shopping bags, bubble wrap, packaging pillows, shrink wrap, water bottles, bread and ice bags as well as cereal liners and electronic equipment wrappers.

Glass includes bottles and jars. No broken pieces are accepted.

Chopra’s mother, Gauri Kapoor, is his biggest supporter and also helps with the recycling.

“I always thought that it’s great if kids can contribute to the community that they live in because we’re living in a world where we, ourselves, are living in our own bubbles,” Kapoor said. “Sometimes it’s helpful to see what else we can do to make our communities better.”

“So, I encouraged him to think of an initiative that could help his community, and that’s how GreenBridge412 came to be.”

Chopra recently launched a recycling club at his school.

He also was featured in the borough newsletter and received support from several local officials and groups such as the Fox Chapel Park Commission.

“Leadership is doing something significant for a population,” said Jeff Cohen, a member of the Park Commission.

Other service

Recycling is not the only way Chopra plans to make an impact in his community.

In September, he was sworn in as a junior council member.

Councilman Brad Harrison nominated Chopra for the position.

“We learned about Kabeer through his volunteer work with (the) borough, and the staff spoke very highly of their interactions with him,” Harrison said. “Because of his efforts and dedication not only in starting up a nonprofit to close the recycling gap in our community, but also due to his well-rounded nature in and out of school, Kabeer was a top candidate in the search for a junior council person this year.

“His work ethic, interest in continuing to work with and learn about local government, and his servant style of leadership were key factors in his application.”

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)