On Monday December 21st, Michael Jasmin and his After School team packaged and UPS’ed to a site in NJ approximately 1100 empty juice pouches which will be “upcycled” in exchange for a financial contribution to PS 261 via a company called TerraCycle. The funds raised won’t single- handedly close 261’s budget gap, and the trash they collect won’t reverse global warming on its own, but over the course of a year After School’s collection team will raise hundreds of dollars for PS 261 while saving thousands of square feet of garbage from a landfill. Not only is this TerraCycle program a fundraiser and great for the envi- ronment, but it is an even better opportunity for the kids who participate. Recently, studies have demonstrated that children who participate in recycling programs score higher in school–particularly on math and science tests. Anyone involved in recycling with kids, such as PS 261’s After School, could have told you that but it is nice to have it confirmed with data.

McMurrer rode the momentum from last year's contest even further, as she used the impetus of the contest to start, with the help of local mom Karen Baker, the TerraCycle Juice Pouch Brigade in the schools. The brigade is another one of those win-win-win propositions. The kids recycle their juice pouches at conveniently located receptacles within the schools, the schools get $0.02 per pouch that goes to TerraCycle, and TerraCycle turns the pouches into totes, backpacks, pencil cases, lunch bags – in total, 185 items for the home, office, garden, pets, school and more. Besides the first place winners each winning a $100 savings bond, donated by PNC Bank, all of the contest winners (first through third place) each won a prize donated by TerraCycle.

The Secondary Transition Program (STP) has joined forces with TerraCycle to begin a recycling project for the Sanilac Intermediate School District Special Education Programs and Services. Each year millions of candy wrappers, chip bags, glue bottles, and drink pouches end up in landfills. TerraCycle is a proud partner with Mars/ Wrigley, Nabisco, Frito- Lay, Capri- Sun, and Elmer’s Glue. Terracycle works with these companies to upcycle materials into fun new products! The Sanilac ISD Special Education Programs will also earn $0.02 for each wrapper/ package that is sent in. TerraCycle has been such a success in schools everywhere that they now require a 250 - 500 piece minimum send in! Due to this increase the ISD is reaching out for help. Please send in any Wrappers, packages, and drink pouches to the Sanilac ISD at Maple Valley or at the Sanilac Career Center.

TerraCycle Juice Pouch Brigade in the schools. The brigade is another one of those win-win-win propositions. The kids recycle their juice pouches at conveniently located receptacles within the schools, the schools get $0.02 per pouch that goes to TerraCycle, and TerraCycle turns the pouches into totes, backpacks, pencil cases, lunch bags – in total, 185 items for the home, office, garden, pets, school and more. Besides the first place winners each winning a $100 savings bond, donated by PNC Bank, all of the contest winners (first through third place) each won a prize donated by TerraCycle.

McMurrer rode the momentum from last year's contest even further, as she used the impetus of the contest to start, with the help of local mom Karen Baker, the TerraCycle Juice Pouch Brigade in the schools. The brigade is another one of those win-win-win propositions. The kids recycle their juice pouches at conveniently located receptacles within the schools, the schools get $0.02 per pouch that goes to TerraCycle, and TerraCycle turns the pouches into totes, backpacks, pencil cases, lunch bags – in total, 185 items for the home, office, garden, pets, school and more.

TerraCycle’s recycling campaigns are so easy to participate in that nearly any company with any sense (and the opportunity) can get on board and get some good green PR for doing so. While I wouldn’t give most of the cheese companies below much green credit, it is at least good that they joined TerraCycle’s new Cheese Packaging Brigade, and big props to TerraCycle for its success in getting these huge brands to participate in such a program. Here’s more on the new Cheese Packaging Brigade from TerraCycle: Kraft Cheese has partnered with eco-innovator TerraCycle to help provide a second life for cheese packaging materials by converting waste materials into fun and unique products sold at major retailers! Every time you buy a Kraft product you and your organization can help divert the packaging from our landfills by sending it to TerraCycle. For each approved item received, 2 cents will be paid to the non-profit organization or school of your choice.

I love crafty ideas and making your own candy wrapper napkin rings is one sweet idea. TerraCycle explains how to make these unique napkin holders.

Anna, who is TerraCycle?  They definitely have a cool name.

I love the name too.  In fact, I gush about TerraCycle so much on the website, you would think I worked for them.  Why do I love them?   Schools and other organizations are paid by TerraCycle to collect certain trash.  Yep. 2 cents per item!  Believe me.  It adds up. Plus, the items collected are up-cycled into new products.

Now onto the Candy Wrappers

All you need is an Elmer glue stick, ruler, scissors, pencil, and candy wrappers that everyone swears they didn’t eat the candy.  (You know what I am talking about.  Don’t play shy with me.  Been there. Done that.) Once you have your supplies, check out the candy wrapper to napkin ring video below.  Like the old fashion written instructions?  TerraCycle has you covered with their handy upload napkin ring PDF.

The school has been named one of the top 100 schools by TerraCycle for collecting juice pouches. More than 56,000 juice pouches have been collected for this project. Staff member Sarah Ramey heads the recycling committee and club, aided by students, parents and staff.

Arrowhead Elementary School students are reducing their carbon footprint through a recycling project done in conjunction with New Jersey-based recycling company TerraCycle. As part of the program, fifth-graders in Brigit DiPrimo's class have set up bins around the school to collect various items - ranging from empty Capri Sun juice bags to Chips Ahoy packages to Country Crock tubs - for TerraCycle to "up cycle." The process makes eco-friendly products like diaper bags and folders using non-recyclable waste materials.

Playing into the established "reuse is better than recycle" eco-sensibility, TerraCycle takes trash and transforms it into useful eco-products. TerraCycle runs a series of free national brigades, inviting people to send their garbage in exchange for cash to be donated to schools and nonprofits. From a kite made out of Skittles wrappers to an upcycled bike chain picture frame to fire logs made out of recycled cardboard and wax, TerraCycle's 1,500 products range from the quirky to the utilitarian and are available in a wide range of major U.S. retailers, from Whole Foods to Wal-Mart. Founded by a Princeton freshman in 2001, TerraCycle has collected nearly 2 billion waste units to date and raised more than $1.5 million for charity.