Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Co. (SFNTC) has teamed up with TerraCycle, a world leader in developing solutions for hard-to-recycle materials, to do something about cigarette butt litter. SFNTC manufactures Natural American Spirit additive-free, natural tobacco cigarettes and roll-your-own tobaccos, which include styles that are made with 100 percent organic tobacco as well as 100 percent U.S. Grown tobacco.

What are the current issues in your region is facing and why is it an issue (regarding waste)? In this day and age, most are familiar with the effects of non-sustainable consumer behavior and aware of the growing importance of resource conservation. Still when budgets tighten, consumers turn away from eco-friendly products and towards more tradition – affordable – options. In 2008, the average American Consumer produced 4.5 pounds and only 1.1 pounds of that was recycled – and this was before the worse of global economic downturn. That same year, Clorox debuted Green Works, its sustainable line of cleaning products, and sales reach as high as 100 million dollars. Since then, sales dropped to about $60 million dollars by 2012 indicating that less consumers are willing to pay a premium for socially responsible items.

One of those goals is to reduce the percentage of virgin materials used in their packaging from 60 to 40 percent by 2020. Innovations like moving from aluminum tubes to recyclable laminated BPA-free plastic tubes, their partnership with TerraCycle and their switch to stand-up dispensers for children’s toothpaste that don’t require cartons, all improve their packaging performance. Water savings has a goal to reduce their consumption per metric ton of product made, from 4.3 to 2.5 cubic meters, a 42 percent reduction by 2020 through a comprehensive program that includes every drop that comes into their facilities.

Ella’s Kitchen has four different categories for foods. Ella’s 1 for 4-6 month olds, Ella’s 2 for7 months+ , Ella’s 3 for 12 months+, and Special Diets for gluten-free, lactose-free and vegetarian options.  Within each category, there are fantastic assortments of pouches in fruit, fruit+rice, smoothies, cookies and “nibbly fingers” made of whole grain oats. Aside from the choices they offer, they have teamed up with TerraCycle for a recycling program with their pouches that allows people to donate points earned to local charities.  Having two kids, I remember the days of carrying around glass baby food jars, with occasional breaks, which were always a huge mess.  The pouches are much more user-friendly, plus, you never have to worry about forgetting a spoon!

I signed up Dominic's school with a program called www.terracycle.com. You can even print a mailing label, so there are minimal shipping costs (just the cost of a padded envelope or box). Right now, I send them used Capri Sun pouches. The next time you think about throwing something out because you think it's "junk" take a few extra minutes to determine if it really can't be recycled or reused. You just might be doing something good for the environment!!