TerraCycle is a company renowned for turning trash into treasure. Here's an inside look at the graffiti-clad warehouse in Trenton, N.J. where much of the upcycling magic happens.Late last week, I had the pleasure of touring the Trenton, N.J. offices of TerraCycle, a “waste solution development” firm with the most admirable mission to "eliminate the idea of waste."

For an eco-friendly storage option, reused vintage trunks are just what the doctor ordered, serving as a kitschy end table or coffee table while also providing you more space to put stuff. Yard sales and Craigslist are great places to find these. Other eco-friendly options include the Way Basics storage cubes (found at Bed, Bath and Beyond, Target, and Amazon) and Terracycle’s recycled plastic storage bin. I love the Way Basics cubes because you can mix and match the colors to suit any room or style. Of course, not to be outdone, the Container Store also has some eco-friendly storage options, many made from bamboo. And for even more eco-friendly storage options for your kitchen, don’t forget to check out MNN blogger Matt Hickman’s recent post.

3. Give candy wrappers a second life. If you simply must eat the candy Halloween brings—admittedly, most of us do—try something unique with those Snickers wrappers. For the craft-minded, take on a project like this colorful pouch or these cute barrettes. For a simple solution, send the trash to TerraCycle’s Candy Wrapper Brigade. The company, which donates two cents for every waste unit collected, takes wrappers of any size candy and from any brand. Poof, your garbage becomes a notebook, a tote bag, even a park bench. Since the Brigade began three years ago, nearly 5.5 million wrappers have been upcycled instead of heading to a landfill.

Afin de sensibiliser les enfants au tri sélectif et de favoriser une démarche éco-citoyenne, l’Association Indépendante des Parents Elèves de Bardines et la mairie, en partenariat avec les équipes éducatives, viennent de mettre en place une zone de collecte sous le préau de l'école maternelle La Marelle. D’autres zones seront aussi installés dans les préaux de l'école primaire Claude Roy, au centre de loisirs Ludarédie, à la mairie et à l'Esplanade.

My “aha” moment was seeing so much waste in the dorms and cafeterias during college. The food and packaging discarded struck me as an environmental scourge, but also wasted opportunity. I realized making products from garbage would create a business with two revenue streams – collecting waste and selling recycled products!

In honor of National Campus Sustainability Day on October 24, Mount Holyoke is starting a new tradition, Sustainability Week! This year, students, faculty, and staff have come together to celebrate with several special events going on from October 20-27. I’ve written about some of the highlights below. If you’re interested in doing more, check out the college’s additional offerings on the official Sustainability Week page.   First up, the Eco-Reps are launching a TerraCycle Campaign. We will be in Blanchard tabling about it from 4:30-5:15 on Monday, October 22. TerraCycle is a nonprofit organization, which takes items that are often thrown in the trash and recycles or upcycles them into wallets, binders, picnic tables, and more. Here at MHC, you can help by thinking before you throw away food packaging such as Frito-Lay & Deep River chip and pretzel bags. There will be collection bins in Blanchard starting Monday and in Kendade the following week; you won’t be able to miss them. Each collected bag earns $0.02 for Gardening in the Community, a youth-focused urban agriculture project which offers kids the chance to learn how to grow food in the city, providing access to healthy produce in Springfield, MA.   Tired of junk food? Don’t worry. You can still participate in Sustainability Week and get fed, too. On Tuesday, October 23, the Food Justice Society is teaming up with Dining Services to throw an Iron Chef Competition in Torrey Dining Hall. The competition will showcase student talent and local ingredients. Cooking will take place from 4:00-6:00 p.m. The most important part, tasting, will be from 6:00-7:00 p.m. Email Maxine Getz with questions. Despite all the tempting treats, Sustainability Week isn’t just about food; it’s about all aspects of green living in a college community. On Wednesday, October 24, from 4:15-5:30 p.m., come to Blanchard’s second floor and lounge area to check out Mount Holyoke’s environmental initiatives. Participating groups--The Environmental Action Coalition, Office of Environmental Stewardship, Facilities Management, Food Justice Society, Miller-Worley Center for the Environment, Dining Services, Library and Information Technology Services, Parking and Fleet Services, and Campus Police--will showcase videos, demonstrations, and tips for how you can keep the college green. Did I say Sustainability Week wasn’t all about food? I was kidding. There will be sweets.   Later that day (Wednesday, October, 24 from 7:30-9:00 p.m.), the Eco-Reps and Food Justice Society are hosting Eco-Jeopardy in Blanchard’s Great Room. Tim Farnham, chair of the Environmental Studies Department and Director of the Miller Worley Center for Environment will stand in for Alex Trebek. Other professors and students will be on teams, testing their eco-knowledge in a range of categories. The winners will receive baskets stuffed with things like fair trade chocolate, natural lip balm, and framed photographs of MHC's campus in the fall. Everyone who attends gets to watch with a mug of hot cider and my favorite donuts from Atkins Market. I suggest you donate $2, which will help local nonprofit Gardening in the Community continue their fantastic programming, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds. Bring your friends and your reusable mugs. For more information, visit the Event Page or contact the Eco-Reps with questions.   Lastly, on Thursday, October, 25 7:30 p.m., the Miller Worley Center for the Environment will present their Environmental Leadership Lecture in Gamble Auditorium. Robin Mann, former Sierra Club president and MHC class of 1973, will discuss where the environmental movement is headed and talk about her experience with one of the most powerful environmental organizations in the country.   I hope to see you out celebrating and learning more about environmentalism at MHC. Let’s make Sustainability Week yet another MHC tradition to remember!