By using this process and data, Jeff takes a “bottom up-top down approach” to eco-friendly business. He has found compelling ways for individuals to do their part, while the “top down” involves working with cities and brands shed light on issues and urge a more deliberate and strategic approach to operations that supports a litter-free planet.

Creating Social Awareness In Business

Recently transitioning to work on Litterati full-time, Jeff is in the process of designing tools for schools that compliment the next generation science and common core curriculum standards. With the programs and services he is creating, schools will be able to take action, and measure the impact of the actions they take in cleaning up our world.

To date, 49 countries are participating in Litterati’s movement. The organization has created a deeper level of awareness around creating and living in, a greener world. For Jeff, the rewards were expected, but he didn’t anticipate the extent to which Litterati would be loved by so many, including brands.

“Prior to creating Litterati, Jeff had no idea there was such a gap between tech and environmental efforts. By pursuing his project, Jeff believes he is helping to bridge the gap between technology and our environment.”

Brand outreach resulted in campaigns with key community leaders and businesses including Whole Foods, Chipotle, Rubio’s, and the city of San Jose.

Prior to creating Litterati, Jeff had no idea there was such a gap between tech and environmental efforts. By pursuing his project, Jeff believes he is helping to bridge the gap between technology and our environment.

Turning Problems Into Purpose

What started out as a casual walk in the neighborhood with his children has since become the driving force for an ambitious environmental quest.

Sometimes when we’re trying to figure out our next steps in life and business, it’s not enough to simply ask, “What excites me?” or “What am I passionate about?” To get to a purposeful point in our lives, sometimes, like Jeff, we have to become bothered and agitated.

In The Happiness of Pursuit, author Chris Guillebeau discusses how being bothered by something can in fact help us find purpose to our lives. According to Guillebeau, just as important as knowing what we’re passionate about, is the ability to “find what troubles you about the world, then fix it for the rest of us.”

Through Litterati, Jeff has turned his agitation into a mission by deciding he no longer wants to stand by and watch the planet be destroyed by solid waste … ultimately, striving to make the world a better place to live for his children and the rest of us.

This article has been edited and condensed.

Shaless Peoples is the creator of the Da Capo Careers Project where she listens to, writes about, and shares the stories of 20, 30, and 40 somethings who have started their career paths from the beginning in order to experience a more passion-filled, meaningful, balanced, and happy work-life. To learn more about the project go to www.dacapocareers.com. Connect with her on LinkedIn, Facebook, and on Twitter at @ShalessPeoples.