Hate to continually throw items in the trash?  TerraCycle collects many kinds of waste, takes the material and creates a new product.

With its innovative Upcycle Program, TerraCycle encourages consumers to “be a part of their eco-revolution!” Started by a Princeton student in 2001, it is the company’s endeavor to minimize what most toss as trash. In order to reduce waste in landfills, TerraCycle establishes turn-key operations that make it easier for schools and non-profit organizations to save, collect and donate non-recyclables, and to earn cash from the donations for fund drives.

  I may not be the greenest girl there ever was, but I try to do what I can for my environment and our planet so when I found out aboutTerraCycle, I was all on board to do a promotion. Just to let you know, this is not a review or a giveaway. It's merely something that was brought to my attention and I am trying to raise awareness. I am not receiving anything nor am I giving anything to you wenches either (xoxo) but I am going to tell you all aboutTerraCycle because I think it's a great company.

People of Avon Helping Hands used to see a lot of used Capri Sun drink Pouches get thrown away. Now the organization earns two cents for every one of those pouches they collect and return to a company called TerraCycle.

Through its partnerships with major CPG companies, TerraCycle runs national programs that pay non-profits and schools to collect used packaging such as drink pouches, energy bar wrappers, yogurt cups, cookie wrappers, chip bags and more.  The collected materials are upcycled into affordable, high quality products ranging from tote bags and purses to shower curtains and kites.  By making products from these various waste streams, TerraCycle prevents 1000’s of tons of waste from going to landfills.

This is like the ultimate way to be green… having NO trash. I like to think we’re pretty green – we recycle, we compost, we barely have any trash. But we do have trash. Look at this way: in nature, there is no trash. What is waste from one, becomes food or shelter for another. Everything is used. Why can’t we do that? That’s where TerraCycle comes in! They take what cannot be recycled and they “upcycle” it to make products you can use. TerraCycle is fairly new, but is quickly spreading around the world. They pay schools, daycares, families, anybody! 2 cents to send in waste that would otherwise sit in a landfill. How do you get involved and help save the earth?

According to a Keep Blount Beautiful press release, TerraCycle makes affordable, eco-friendly products from a wide range of different non-recyclable waste materials. With more than 50 products available at major retailers like Wal-Mart, Target, The Home Depot, OfficeMax, Petco and Whole Foods Market, TerraCycle is one of the fastest growing eco-friendly manufacturers in the world. Their hope is to eliminate the idea of waste by finding innovative, unique uses for materials others deem garbage. Free collection programs pay schools and non-profits nationwide to collect used packaging such as drink pouches, energy bar wrappers, yogurt cups, cookie wrappers, chip bags, corks and more. The collected materials are upcycled into affordable, high quality products ranging from tote bags and purses to shower curtains and kites.

Looking for a refreshing alternative to throwing away your toothpaste  tubes? This easy do-it-yourself project upcycles your empty tubes into a  simple toothbrush holder. Upcycling materials like these are a great  way to reuse without costing a mint.

This article has been contributed by Tiffany Threadgould, TerraCycle’s Chief Designer. TerraCycle makes affordable, eco-friendly products from a wide range of different non-recyclable waste materials. Looking for a refreshing alternative to throwing away your toothpaste tubes? This easy do-it-yourself project upcycles your empty tubes into a simple toothbrush holder.  Upcycling materials like these are a great way to reuse without costing a mint.

  The Ecology Club at Elizabeth Seton High School in Bladensburg has found a creative way to get rid of trash like candy wrappers and old juice drink pouches. The students have partnered with a company called TerraCycle, which pays two cents for each piece of refuse collected and turns the garbage into products like backpacks, coolers and even fences. In less than a year, students have collected more than 3,200 pieces of refuse, raising money to help pay for new recycling containers for the school.