TERRACYCLE NEWS

ELIMINATING THE IDEA OF WASTE®

World’s first plastic free PPE that can be composted in your garden

The ‘world’s first’ plastic-free coronavirus visor that can be composted in your back-garden has gone on sale at 50p a mask.   The Plastic Free PPE REELshield, sold in cases of 150 for £75, consists of an adjustable headband made from responsibly-sourced paper and a transparent visor made of cellulose extracted from woodpulp.   Once used, the designer’s say it can be disposed of with organic waste.   The US Composting Council adds there is ‘no risk’ of compost spreading coronavirus as it will decay in the heat and humidity within three days.   International campaign group A Plastic Planet and packaging experts Reelbrands and Transcend Packaging developed the PPE to reduce plastic pollution.   ‘No one wants to compromise the safety of employees and the public, but the plastic PPE visors are used once and then exist for centuries’, said Sian Sutherland, the campaign group’s co-founder.   ‘We wanted to lead by example and show that we can protect ourselves and protect our planet.   ‘We can no longer sacrifice nature without consequence. The public back a green recovery from the pandemic because, quite simply, we cannot self-isolate or vaccinate against the climate crisis.’   The PPE has been CE-certified by the European Economic Area, meaning it has been extensively tested to ensure it meets the same standards as the plastic alternative.   It has also received a Plastic Free Trust Mark from one of its designers, A Plastic Planet.   The PPE will be made available to businesses this week. Some have already been snapped up by delivery company Yodel and fish product business Three Oceans.   It can be purchased either by individuals, or by companies looking to make larger orders, a spokesman said.   For those concerned about composting, there will be a dedicated service where used PPE can be taken away in a specialist bin.   The stock will be collected by TerraCycle and taken to a site where it will be recycled or composted.   Factories stand ready to produce more than a million plastic free PPE kits every week, with plans to start manufacturing more in the US and distribute it across Eastern and Southern Africa.   The US Composting Council says there is ‘essentially no risk of transmitting the disease through composting.   ‘The virus is not a living organism, but a protein molecule covered by a protective layer of lipid (fat),’ they said.   ‘Since the virus is not a living organism, it is not killed but decays. The disintegration time depends on the temperature, humidity and type of material where it lies: Between three hours (airborne droplets) to 24 hours (porous surfaces like fabrics or cardboard) to 72 hours (hard smooth surfaces like plastic).   ‘In any case, it will definitely not survive the weeks or months in your compost pile, even a not-very-active one.’   An estimated 761 million pieces of PPE have been distributed across the UK since February 2020.

Better Natured™ And Terracycle® Partner To Launch National Recycling Program

Better Natured™, a Henkel professional-level hair care and styling line created with a synergistic blend of naturally-derived* ingredients, has partnered with international recycling leader TerraCycle® to make the packaging for their line of hair care products nationally recyclable across the United States. As an added incentive, for every shipment of Better Natured packaging waste sent to TerraCycle, collectors earn points that can be donated to a non-profit, school or charitable organization of their choice. “We are so excited to be partnering with TerraCycle to give our community of hair creators a way to close the loop and divert packaging waste away from landfills, once they’ve squeezed every-last-drop out of their Better Natured hair care products. We believe a cleaner world starts with all of us, and by partnering with TerraCycle we’re empowering our community to help do their part to recycle materials that can’t be easily recycled curbside,” said Better Natured Senior Marketing Manager, Christie Belfiore. Through the Better Natured Recycling Program, consumers can now send in their Better Natured hair care packaging waste to be recycled for free. Participation is easy: sign up on the TerraCycle program page at http://www.terracycle.com/better-natured and mail in the empty hair care packaging using the provided prepaid shipping label. Once collected, the packaging is cleaned and melted into hard plastic that can be remolded to make new recycled products. “Hair care products are a staple in the daily routines of countless consumers,” said TerraCycle CEO and Founder, Tom Szaky. “The launch of the Better Natured Recycling Program represents an exciting opportunity to divert a large category of waste from landfills and empower consumers to demonstrate their respect for the environment, not only through the products they choose to include in their beauty regimen, but also by taking an active role in how the packaging is disposed.” Better Natured strives to make the world a better, more beautiful place by partnering with notable environmental leaders like Keep America Beautiful. Through their sponsorship of the Great American Cleanup initiative and the creation of local community murals, Better Natured is doing their part to help communities become clean, green and beautiful places to live in. The brand is also working closely with the How2Recycle organization to help standardize labeling to clearly communicate recycling instructions to the public to make sure their packaging is recycled appropriately. Through the launch of the Better Natured Recycling Program, in association with TerraCycle, the spent packaging from the Better Natured line of hair care products will be diverted from the landfill and properly recycled. Ultimately, by 2025 Better Natured is committed to making 100% of their packaging recyclable, reusable or compostable. The Better Natured Recycling Program is open to any interested individual, school, office, or community organization, and builds on Henkel’s existing relationship with TerraCycle. For more information on TerraCycle’s recycling programs, visit http://www.terracycle.com. *Global ISO Standard 16128 defines naturally-derived as a plant or mineral derived material and water which is found in nature and has undergone limited processing. In the Better Natured Haircare & Styling line, the percent naturally-derived ranges from 86% - 99%. ** Purely Science refers to the clean synthetic ingredients necessary to ensure the efficacy and stability of the formula.  

Full Schedule: UN World Oceans Day 2020

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the 2020 UN World Oceans Day has switched format to be an online event that is open and free to all. On 8 June from 10am to 5pm EDT (UTC−04:00), the event will be streaming live. It is produced in partnership with non-profit Oceanic Global and aims to raise global awareness about the abundance the oceans provide, and individual and collective duty to use its resources sustainably.   At 12:40PM, Ellen Cuylaerts, curator of the UN World Oceans Day Photo Competition, will be joined by the contest’s judges: Adriana Basques, Adam Hanlon, Jill Heinerth, Darren Jew, Jane Morgan, Amos Nachoum, Miriam Stein Battles, David Salvatori, and John Thet, to announce this year’s winners.   The full day’s schedule is below. In order to attend and get updates from the event, please register.     SCHEDULE 10:00AM Opening Remarks High-level speakers will open UN World Oceans Day with remarks on the 2020 theme “Innovation for a Sustainable Ocean”. Speakers H.E. António Guterres. Secretary-General of the United Nations H.E. Tijjani Muhammad-Bande. President of the General Assembly *Remarks: Cara Delevingne * 10:20AM The State of the Ocean Speakers will provide an overview of the state of the ocean and highlight the inter-linkages of the problems we face, as well as opportunities we can harness. Speakers Sylvia Earle. President & Chair, Mission Blue Bill McKibben. Co-Founder, 350.org João Miguel Ferreira de Serpa Soares. Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs & United Nations Legal Counsel 11:00AM “Spotlight Solutions” for the Ocean This segment spotlights current projects offering innovative solutions that address the themes of the eight interactive dialogues of the 2020 UN Ocean Conference. Moderator Lucy Biggers. Climate and Sustainability Correspondent, NowThis Speakers Peter Thomson. United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Ocean Francis Zoet. Co-Founder & Director of Operations, The Great Bubble Barrier Ahmad “Aki” Allahgholi. Founder & Managing Director, Coralive.org Olivier Ceberio. COO and Co-Founder, Resolute Marine Michael Selden. Co-Founder & CEO, Finless Foods Jossie Jasmin. Dive shop Manager & Instructor at Amun Ini Dive Bigs Eggert. Owner of Amun Ini Dive Dirk Rosen. Founder & Executive Director, Marine Applied Research and Exploration Elisa Morgera. Professor of Global Environmental Law, Strathclyde University Law School & Director, “One Ocean Hub” Jim Ritterhoff. Executive Director, FORCE BLUE 12:00PM The Cousteaus: A Multigenerational Conversation on Ocean Exploration The Cousteaus will provide a multigenerational perspective on our evolving understanding of the ocean across time, highlighting certain innovations in science and exploration that have shaped our relationship with the ocean. Speakers Jean-Michel Cousteau Celine Cousteau Fabien Cousteau 12:20PM OceanX: Innovation, Technology and Deep Sea Exploration The segment will highlight exciting developments in the world of science, technology and exploration, with a particular focus on deep sea exploration, opportunities for future discoveries and the rapid progress in this field. Speakers Mark Dalio. Founder & Creative Director, OceanX Edith Widder. CEO & Senior Scientist, Ocean Research & Conservation Association, Inc. 12:40PM UN World Oceans Day Photo Competition Winners Announcement of the finalists and winners of the 2020 UN World Oceans Day Photo Competition. Curator Ellen Cuylaerts. Freelance Underwater and Wildlife Photographer and Curator, 2020 UN World Oceans Day Photo Competition Judges Jim Standing, Adriana Basques, Adam Hanlon, Jill Heinerth, Darren Jew, Jane Morgan, Amos Nachoum, Miriam Stein Battles, David Salvatori, John Thet Remarks: Ellie Goulding   1:00PM The Blue Economy and Private Sector Impact This panel discussion will shed light on how the private sector is engaging communities to develop solutions for a healthy ocean. Moderator Curtis Brainard. Managing Editor, Scientific American Speakers Tom Szaky. Founder & CEO, TerraCycle Michael W. Lodge Secretary-General, International Seabed Authority Dave Ford. Founder, Soul Buffalo & Co-Founder, Ocean Plastics Leadership Network Melissa Garren. CEO & Founder, Working Ocean Strategies Deeper Dive One Ocean Foundation 2:00PM Communities Innovating for a Sustainable Ocean Panelists will provide examples of community-driven innovative approaches to effecting positive change in our relation with the ocean, highlighting key lessons learned. Moderator Andrea Thompson. Associate Editor for Sustainability, Scientific American Speakers Gayatri Reksodihardjo–Lilley. Director & Founder, Indonesian Nature Foundation (Yayasan Alam Indonesia Lestari - LINI) Julia Kumari Drapkin. CEO & Founder, ISeeChange Asha de Vos. Founder & Executive Director, Oceanswell Shanta Shamsunnahar. Program Coordinator, MPA Program, Wildlife Conservation Society, Bangladesh Deeper Dive Christophe Bailhache. Photographer & Filmmaker, Co-Founder of Underwater Earth 3:00PM Youth Driving Innovation Youth from around the world will share their solutions to drive innovation, engage their community and bridge generational gaps for a healthy and sustainable ocean. Moderator Jack Harries. Filmmaker & Environmentalist Speakers Forbi Perise Eyong Nyosai. Greening Forward Lilly Platt. Environmentalist and Global Youth Ambassador for Plastic Pollution Coalition, WODI &Youth Mounds. Founder of Lilly’s Plastic Pickup. Dylan Vecchione. Founder, ReefQuest Foundation Callie Veelenturf. Marine Conservation Biologist; Founder, The Leatherback Project and Rights for Nature World Ocean Week Remarks Remarks on World Oceans Week and the efforts of the Friends of World Oceans Day (FOWOD) community. Speakers Francois Bailet. Senior Legal Officer, Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, Office of Legal Affairs, United Nations Lea d’Auriol. Founder & Executive Director, Oceanic Global 4:00PM A Concert for our Ocean The Day will conclude with a celebration of the ocean through live performances from musicians around the world!  

World’s first plastic-free PPE launched today

Campaign group A Plastic Planet has launched the world’s first plastic-free PPE in a bid to assist the fight against coronavirus polluting the environment.     Since February 2020, 761 million pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) have been distributed across the UK, most of which are made from plastic and have already been found littering beaches and marine environments across the country.   International campaign group A Plastic Planet and packaging companies Reelbrands and Transcend Packaging have come together to develop the first clear plastic-free visors to protect staff without contributing to plastic pollution.   Terracycle will provide a service where staff can use a dedicated bin for used PPE which Terracycle will then collect to recycle or compost the visors.   Three Oceans and delivery service Yodel who are working alongside the NHS to deliver tests have already placed orders for the equipment.   The campaign group has said they hope that this PPE will help to tackle two of the world’s most pressing issues: high demand for protective equipment and plastic pollution.   Sian Sutherland, the co-founder of A Plastic Planet, said: ‘No-one wants to compromise the safety of employees and the public; but the plastic PPE visors are used once and then exist for centuries, polluting our planet.   ‘We wanted to lead by example and show that we can protect ourselves and protect our planet. We can no longer sacrifice nature without consequence. The public backs a green recovery from the pandemic because quite simply, we cannot self-isolate or vaccinate against the climate crisis.’   Liz Bonnin, science, wildlife and environmental broadcaster has also said: ‘PPE is vital for the protection of health care workers and to reduce the transmission of the virus. But it doesn’t have to be made from fossil fuels.   ‘Covid-19 will be part of our lives for some time, and as lockdown rules ease, demand for PPE is only going to increase. Considering the plastic pollution crisis we are still battling, and the lessons we are learning from this pandemic about the need to work with nature instead of against it, Plastic Free PPE can help to protect us without further damaging the planet.’

How to Transform UN’s Environmental Goals into a People’s Agenda for Africa

  • OPINION by Dr Olukoya Obafemi (Brandenburg, Germany)
  • Wednesday, June 03, 2020
  • Inter Press Service
  • Dr Olukoya Obafemi is a Researcher, Brandenburg Technical University, Institute of Graduate Research: Heritage Studies. He is also affiliated with The Green Institute, Ondo, Nigeria.
  BRANDENBURG, Germany, Jun 03 (IPS) - The UN will commemorate World Environment Day 2020 on Friday June 5The COVID-19 insurgence has highlighted the need for multilateral cooperation among sustainability stakeholders. As the journey towards achieving Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is fraught with imminent global challenges, global environmental leaders agree that now is the time to act collectively for nature, leaving no one behind.   The shortage of sustainability knowledge in Africa is particularly appalling, and it seems the continent is oblivious to the world's agenda. This is evident through the data-based analysis of Africa's lack of progress towards achieving sustainability.   In response, Dr. Adenike Akinsemolu, educator, sustainability advocate, academic associate with SDSN, and a scientific committee member of the 2018 ICSD at the Earth Institute, Columbia University, swung into action.   She founded The Green Institute, a sustainability education organization in Nigeria, and authored an indigenous sustainability text, The Principles of Green and Sustainability Science (Springer, 2020).   The Green Institute confronted this challenge in Africa through the instrumentality of home-based solutions of education, innovation, and advocacy. One pertinent question arose and resonated with Dr. Akinsemolu all through her efforts towards bridging the knowledge gap of sustainability in Africa.   How can we bring the Agenda of Sustainability to indeed become the people's Agenda in Nigeria and Africa? Having entered a new decade, unless Africa embraces a virtuous cycle of sustainability, she will decline in a vicious cycle of poverty, social injustice, and environmental degradation.   To change this, her organization went further by organizing a virtual summit aimed to mobilize sustainability leaders to share their expertise in the face of a global pandemic.   On June 5, 2020, the Green Institute, in collaboration with Hamad Bin Khalifa University (Qatar Foundation), will host Jeffrey Sachs (SDSN) and over 25 renowned sustainability experts from across the globe, at a virtual symposium Time #ForNature for World Environment Day, a United Nations awareness campaign for environmental protection, held annually since 1974.   The theme for World Environment Day 2020 is biodiversity. This hallmark event organized by a sustainability organization is a confluence of sustainability leaders in various fields endeavored at assembling individuals and organizations towards achieving sustainable development in Africa and beyond.   Armed with a plethora of speakers, the virtual symposium incorporates diverse fields of human endeavors ranging from sciences to arts, botany to engineering, health to et cetera.   The virtual symposium is also launching the indigenous sustainability text titled The Principles of Green and Sustainability Science, authored by Dr. Adenike Akinsemolu. "Everyday anthropogenic activities are responsible for the problems of our planet, and there is a need to salvage the situation through creativity, innovation, and critical thinking," Dr. Akinsemolu stresses in her book.   She offers a detailed and step-by-step guide to understanding sustainability and discusses best practices to establish a more harmonious and balanced approach to living. In the words of Prof. Marc A. Rosen (Ontario Tech University), "The book enriches a global movement while highlighting efforts in Africa."   Alongside the author is world-renowned sustainability leader Prof. Jeffrey Sachs who will be speaking on Building Resilient Health Structures to Combat Novel Diseases: A Case of COVID-19.   Sachs was twice named as Time magazine's 100 most influential world leaders and was ranked by The Economist among the top three most influential living economists.   Among the topics discussed at the summit are biodiversity conservation, sustainable agriculture, sustainable building, urban innovation, minimal living, eco-feminism, waste management, renewable energy and others.   Over a century of civilization, humans have founded and established values that regulate human societal behaviors. With a new sustainable agenda spanning for the next decade, Dr. M. Evren Tok will explain the impacts of values and morality in sustainable development.   As the Associate Professor at the College of Islamic Studies (CIS) at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (Qatar Foundation), the Assistant Dean for Innovation and Community Development and Lead Project Investigator for a Qatar National Research Priorities Program on Localizing Entrepreneurship Education in Qatar, Dr. Tok has extensive experience in building disruptive mechanisms in education and learning in post-graduate studies.   He is the founder of the first MakerSpace in Qatar Foundation, built around the concept of Green Economies, Social Innovation, and Entrepreneurship.   The development of the world economy has consistently been at loggerheads with the environment. How can we simultaneously achieve economic growth and environmental wellbeing? Prof. Marc Rosen, Prof. Manfred Max Bergman (University of Basel), and Samson Ogbole (Farm Lab) strongly argue that both the environment and the economy could thrive simultaneously.   One of the essential directions for ensuring a shift in progress towards Agenda is education. The right to education is a fundamental human right that every nation aspires to fulfill. In an age of sustainability, what changes to our educational system are pivotal towards achieving sustainable development?   Ruba Hinnawi (Qatar Green Building Council) and Noah Martin (Georgetown University) will discuss the educational transformation that must occur if we are to transition towards sustainable development. The visual artist Data Oruwari will reveal the role that arts play towards achieving sustainability.   As the saying goes, "One is too small a number to achieve greatness." The Green Institute has partnered with various international organizations that share the same commitment towards achieving sustainable development.   Organizations such as the Hamad Bin Khalifa University (a member of Qatar Foundation) and the Sustainable Solutions Development Network have been instrumental towards the success of The Green Institute.   The Nigerian organization behind the global summit believes that although SDG 17 is the last of the SDGs, it is by no means the least.   Ironically, it serves as an overarching framework for the successful implementation of the remaining 16 goals. To this end, The Green Institute continually extends its hand of partnership to collaborate with other organizations in achieving sustainable development.   The participating organizations include the UNEP, UNDP, Qatar Green Building Council, Qur'anic Botanic Garden, Farm Lab, Human Future, Springer Nature, Institute for Oil, Gas, Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development, University of Basel, the Open University UK, TerraCycle, Design Future(s) Initiative of Georgetown University, United Nations Development Program, and the Green Maasai Troupe Doha Qatar.   For more information, full schedule and registration: www.greeninstitute.ng/wed2020

Cápsulas de café

Com intuito de promover a educação ambiental e dar destinação correta aos materiais escolares de escrita, foi criado um time no Programa Nacional de Reciclagem de Cápsulas de Café (Melitta, L’OR Espresso e Pilão).  Através dessa campanha, serão recolhidas Cápsulas de Café das respectivas marcas, especificamente, cápsulas usadas.  Assim, além de diminuir os danos ao meio ambiente, esses resíduos serão enviados para TerraCycle, que, por meio do programa de logística reversa, converterá cada cápsula em 2 pontos para o respectivo time. Esses pontos equivalem a R$ 0,02 (os quais serão direcionados a um empreendimento sem fins lucrativos indicado por cada time).

Loop to Launch E-Comm Platform Nationwide

Loop products in returnable packaging are scheduled for launch nationwide this month, while retail partners in the U.S., France, and Japan plan to offer Loop in their stores later this year. For those consumers going the e-commerce route, there is a $20 shipping fee for orders under $150. In addition, the tote used to deliver and return product comes with a $15 deposit fee. For those consumers going the e-commerce route, there is a $20 shipping fee for orders under $150. In addition, the tote used to deliver and return product comes with a $15 deposit fee. As of presstime, consumers across the U.S. who are interested in shopping online for a range of grocery, household, and personal care products in gorgeously designed, durable, and resusable packaging will have the chance in June, when Loop launches nationwide. Since May 2019, the ground-breaking Loop circular shopping platform has been available in 10 states in the Northeast and in Paris. According to Tom Szaky, founder of recycling company TerraCycle and of Loop, the 10-month pilot allowed participating Consumer Packaged Goods companies, retailers, and Loop itself to gain insights and tweak the program for wider availability. Just as exciting, if not more so, according to Szaky, is the news that Loop will be launching in retail stores, including Kroger in the U.S., Carrefour in France, and AEON in Japan, later this year. Currently 400 brands have joined Loop, 20% of which are now available for purchase on Loopstore.com and 80% of which are still in development. Says Szaky, it can take a CPG anywhere from six to 18 months from the time they join Loop until they have product ready to ship. Among some of the more well-known CPGs that have signed on are Seventh Generation, Clorox, Procter & Gamble, Nestlé, Unilever, and Mars Petcare. Loop also sells a “private-label” brand, Puretto, which Szaky says is being used by name-brand companies to test products on the platform while they develop their own, unique version. “As soon as that version is live, we disable the Puretto version,” he explains. Szaky notes that the rapid speed of the nationwide launch—Loop was only just unveiled in February 2019—is due to the fact that “it’s a platform and not a producer or retailer.” He continues, “By being a platform, it is really our fantastic brand partners that are doing all the production and ramping up, and the retailers that are doing the scale up and later the in-store deployments. What we really have to ramp up is the ability to accept that used packaging, sort it out, and clean it. And that’s an area that TerraCycle has almost two decades of experience doing in disposables. Now we just have to bring the same experience to reusables.” With the e-commerce model, all packaging—both filled and empty—is handled through Loop’s Northeast location, from which it sends orders to consumers and where it cleans the empty packaging. Loop will also soon be adding another location on the West Coast. “As the stores move into bigger and bigger volumes, we will deploy in total seven major facilities in the U.S.,” Szaky says. “I expect that to take about two to three years.” Outside the U.S., Loop has one facility in each country in which it operates and is planning to add more. When the in-store platform becomes available, CPGs will supply the stores with product directly. Then, when consumers are through with the product, they will drop off the empty packaging at the store, and Loop will pick it up for cleaning. For those consumers going the e-commerce route, there is a $20 shipping fee for orders under $150. In addition, the tote used to deliver and return product comes with a $15 deposit fee. Deposits are also required for every package and range anywhere from $1.25 for a glass liquid soap dispenser bottle from Soapply, for example, up to $10 for a rust-resistant metal container with one-touch dispensing lid for Clorox disinfecting wipes. One of the biggest learnings from the Loop pilot says Szaky is that the deposit costs have not deterred consumers from using Loop. “I thought they would be, but they haven’t in any capacity,” he says. “Even deposits as high as $10 have not been a deterrent. So we’re very, very happy about that.” Not only that, Szaky says, but they also found that within 90 days of purchase, there was a 97% return rate for the packaging by consumers. “I was surprised, but I think it has to do with the fact that people want the product inside, and they’re happy to have us professionally clean it and have it professionally refilled so they can access it again.” For the in-store business, the only deposits are for the containers, which consumers are refunded when they return the empty packaging to the store.  

A SERVICEABLE WAY TO STAY RADIANT AND SHEEN WHILE KEEPING TRENTON ENVIRONMENTS CLEAN

From coffee pods to razors to baby food packing and beyond, Trenton-based TerraCycle continues to make good on its promise to eliminate the idea waste. In its latest partnership, TerraCycle and ACURE discover a serviceable way for consumers to stay radiant and sheen while keeping Trenton, and cities across the U.S., clean.   With a passion for creating great skin and hair wellness products while also keeping the environments clean nationwide, ACURE is working with TerraCycle to bring its objective to life. Being a family-owned company, ACURE is on a mission to direct consumers away from harsh, toxic chemicals, toward more safe and healthy ingredients perfect for the skin and hair.   “ACURE is giving its customers the unique opportunity to divert waste from landfills by offering them a way to responsibly dispose of their skincare packaging,” said TerraCycle CEO and Founder Tom Szaky.   Aside from creating healthy skin and personal care products free of toxic chemicals, ACURE is now taking the measures to also ensure that its product packaging is recycled, keeping the environment clean and healthy along with their personal care products.   TerraCycle, which is listed at #10 in Fortune magazine’s list of “52 companies “Changing the World,” is taking the right steps to ensure that company products and packages are being properly recycled, rather than being landfilled or incinerated.   By signing up with this link, https://www.terracycle.com/en-US/brigades/acure, consumers can now send in ACURE skin and personal care product packaging and have them recycled for free, guaranteeing that all packages are reused. For every shipment of ACURE waste that is sent in, points are earned that can go towards a non-profit, school, or charitable organization, a perfect incentive while keeping Trenton environments clean!   ACURE products are plant + food-based, refraining from gluten, sulfates, synthetic fragrances, and animal testing. and healthy ingredients perfect for the skin and hair. As with Trenton and other nationwide cities, recycling efforts like these can slowly increase a clean environment by moving consumers away from single-use packaging.  

UN World Oceans Day 2020 Virtual Event

  This year, owing to the coronavirus pandemic, UN World Oceans Day will be a free all-digital event that’s open to all. Streamed from 10am to 5pm EDT (UTC−04:00) on June 8th, the event, which is produced in partnership with non-profit organization Oceanic Global, aims to raise global awareness about the abundance our ocean provides humankind, and our individual and collective duty to use its resources sustainably. The program includes keynote speeches, panels, and presentations involving business leaders, scientists, youth leaders, cultural innovators, celebrities, and others, with a focus on this year’s theme: Innovation for a Sustainable Ocean.   At 12:40PM, Ellen Cuylaerts, curator of the UN World Oceans Day Photo Competition, hosted by DPG, will be joined by the contest judges—Adriana Basques, Adam Hanlon, Jill Heinerth, Darren Jew, Jane Morgan, Amos Nachoum, Miriam Stein Battles, David Salvatori, and John Thet—to announce this year’s winners. DPG will be announcing the winners shortly after, at 2PM EST. Check out the program schedule below and register at UNWorldOceansDay.org/2020.   SCHEDULE
Opening Remarks 10:00AM
High-level speakers will open UN World Oceans Day with remarks on the 2020 theme "Innovation for a Sustainable Ocean". Speakers H.E. António Guterres Secretary-General of the United Nations H.E. Tijjani Muhammad-Bande President of the General Assembly Remarks: Cara Delevingne
The State of the Ocean 10:20AM
Speakers will provide an overview of the state of the ocean and highlight the inter-linkages of the problems we face, as well as opportunities we can harness. Speakers Sylvia Earle President & Chair, Mission Blue Bill McKibben Co-Founder, 350.org João Miguel Ferreira de Serpa Soares Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs & United Nations Legal Counsel
"Spotlight Solutions" for the Ocean 11:00AM
This segment spotlights current projects offering innovative solutions that address the themes of the eight interactive dialogues of the 2020 UN Ocean Conference. Moderator Lucy Biggers Climate and Sustainability Correspondent, NowThis Speakers Peter Thomson United Nations Secretary-General's Special Envoy for the Ocean Francis Zoet Co-Founder & Director of Operations, The Great Bubble Barrier Ahmad "Aki" Allahgholi Founder & Managing Director, Coralive.org Olivier Ceberio COO and Co-Founder, Resolute Marine Michael Selden Co-Founder & CEO, Finless Foods Jossie Jasmin Dive shop Manager & Instructor at Amun Ini Dive, and Bigs Eggert Owner of Amun Ini Dive Dirk Rosen Founder & Executive Director, Marine Applied Research and Exploration Elisa Morgera Professor of Global Environmental Law, Strathclyde University Law School & Director, “One Ocean Hub" Jim Ritterhoff Executive Director, FORCE BLUE
The Cousteaus: A Multigenerational Conversation on Ocean Exploration 12:00PM
The Cousteaus will provide a multigenerational perspective on our evolving understanding of the ocean across time, highlighting certain innovations in science and exploration that have shaped our relationship with the ocean. Speakers Jean-Michel Cousteau Celine Cousteau Fabien Cousteau
OceanX: Innovation, Technology and Deep Sea Exploration 12:20PM
The segment will highlight exciting developments in the world of science, technology and exploration, with a particular focus on deep sea exploration, opportunities for future discoveries and the rapid progress in this field. Speakers Mark Dalio Founder & Creative Director, OceanX Edith Widder CEO & Senior Scientist, Ocean Research & Conservation Association, Inc.
UN World Oceans Day Photo Competition Winners 12:40PM
Announcement of the finalists and winners of the 2020 UN World Oceans Day Photo Competition. Curator Ellen Cuylaerts Freelance Underwater and Wildlife Photographer and Curator, 2020 UN World Oceans Day Photo Competition Judges Jim StandingAdriana BasquesAdam HanlonJill HeinerthDarren JewJane MorganAmos NachoumMiriam Stein BattlesDavid SalvatoriJohn Thet Remarks: Ellie Goulding
The Blue Economy and Private Sector Impact 1:00PM
This panel discussion will shed light on how the private sector is engaging communities to develop solutions for a healthy ocean. Moderator Curtis Brainard Managing Editor, Scientific American Speakers Tom Szaky Founder & CEO, TerraCycle Michael W. Lodge Secretary-General, International Seabed Authority Dave Ford Founder, Soul Buffalo & Co-Founder, Ocean Plastics Leadership Network Melissa Garren CEO & Founder, Working Ocean Strategies Deeper Dive One Ocean Foundation
Communities Innovating for a Sustainable Ocean 2:00PM
Panelists will provide examples of community-driven innovative approaches to effecting positive change in our relation with the ocean, highlighting key lessons learned. Moderator Andrea Thompson Associate Editor for Sustainability, Scientific American Speakers Gayatri Reksodihardjo–Lilley Director & Founder, Indonesian Nature Foundation (Yayasan Alam Indonesia Lestari - LINI) Julia Kumari Drapkin CEO & Founder, ISeeChange Asha de Vos Founder & Executive Director, Oceanswell Shanta Shamsunnahar Program Coordinator, MPA Program, Wildlife Conservation Society, Bangladesh Deeper Dive Christophe Bailhache Photographer & Filmmaker, Co-Founder of Underwater Earth
Youth Driving Innovation 3:00PM
Youth from around the world will share their solutions to drive innovation, engage their community and bridge generational gaps for a healthy and sustainable ocean. Moderator Jack Harries Filmmaker & Environmentalist Speakers Forbi Perise Eyong Nyosai Greening Forward Lilly Platt Environmentalist and Global Youth Ambassador for Plastic Pollution Coalition, WODI &Youth Mundus. Founder of Lilly's Plastic Pickup. Dylan Vecchione Founder, ReefQuest Foundation Callie Veelenturf Marine Conservation Biologist; Founder, The Leatherback Project and Rights for Nature
World Ocean Week Remarks  
Remarks on World Oceans Week and the efforts of the Friends of World Oceans Day (FOWOD) community. Speakers Francois Bailet Senior Legal Officer, Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, Office of Legal Affairs, United Nations Lea d'Auriol Founder & Executive Director, Oceanic Global
A Concert for our Ocean 4:00PM
The Day will conclude with a celebration of the ocean through live performances from musicians around the world!