Global health and hygiene company Reckitt Benckiser Group (RB), which makes popular consumer brands including Mucinex and Enfamil and is headquartered in the U.K., has announced it entered into a partnership with TerraCycle, Trenton, New Jersey, to offer consumers with a simple, free way to recycle their consumer goods packaging. According to a news release from TerraCycle, the RB Health & Nutrition Recycling Program will accept packaging waste from all brands of vitamins and supplements, upper respiratory, sexual health and well-being, infant formula and child nutrition, personal care items and foot care items.   The Healthy You, Healthy Planet partnership with TerraCycle to recycle all health and nutrition packaging is the next step in achieving RB’s global commitments to support a more sustainable future, which also includes reducing product packaging and eliminating waste through innovation, according to a news release from TerraCycle.   “At RB, we know how important protecting the future of our planet is to our consumers so we’ve partnered with TerraCycle to make it simple for anyone to take an active interest in the environment and recycle their packaging waste,” says Nitish Kapoor, executive vice president of RB North America Health Brands. “People buy millions of RB health products from brands like Enfamil and Mucinex every week, so offering free, national recyclability for the packaging is simply the right thing to do. This program is part of RB's ongoing commitment to creating a circular economy, which also includes making 100 percent of our packaging recyclable or reusable, while using at least 25 percent recycled plastic content in our packaging by 2025.”   Through the RB Health & Nutrition Recycling Program, packaging waste from the following categories will be recycled, including:  

• vitamins, minerals and supplements packaging, such as blister packs, tubes, bottles, cans, boxes, caps and lids
• sexual health and well-being packaging, such as tubes, bottles, wrappers, cans, boxes, caps and lids;
• cough, cold, flu, sore throat and nasal care packaging, such as bottles, tubes, spray bottles, blister packs, caps and lids;
• infant formula and child nutrition packaging, such as tubs, bottles, wrappers, cans, boxes, caps and lids; and,
• personal care and foot care packaging, such as tubes, bottles, caps, lids and other plastic packaging.

  From vitamin bottles and caps to infant formula tubs, TerraCycle will clean and melt the collected product packaging into hard plastic that can be remolded to make new recycled products. The RB Health & Nutrition Recycling Program is open to any interested individual, school, day care, fitness facility, health care office, office or community organization.   “At TerraCycle, our mission has always been to ‘Eliminate the Idea of Waste’ and its recycling initiatives like the RB Health & Nutrition Recycling Program that drive awareness of single-use packaging epidemic. These programs elicit positive change in the consumer and ultimately lead to the preservation of our environment for future generations to come,” says Tom Szaky, TerraCycle CEO.   TerraCycle financial results   Trenton-based TerraCycle US Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of international recycling leader TerraCycle Inc., has announced its financial results for the second quarter of 2019, ending June 30. The company’s revenue rose to $11.2 million, representing a 16 percent year-over-year growth over second quarter of 2018 revenues of $9.5 million, TerraCycle reports in a news release. Net income more than doubled to $1.8 million, marking 67 percent year-over-year growth over the second quarter of 2018’s net income of $603,000.   During the first two quarters of 2019, the company surpassed its prior year’s total number of new contracts and new programs. Additionally, the company reports that it’s continuing to invest in its workforce, increasing its U.S.-based staff by 10 percent over the prior year.   In addition, TerraCycle’s Regulation A capital raise is approaching $10 million, the company reports.  TerraCycle has attracted investment in its Regulation A offering from ITOCHU Corp., a 100-year-old, $50 billion revenue Japanese trading company. ITOCHU, a large broker of plastic, will work with TerraCycle to expand the market for postconsumer plastics and in particular will develop and sell plastics that come from generally nonrecycled waste streams.   "Our mission at TerraCycle has always been to eliminate waste, recycle the unrecyclable and use our innovative business solutions to minimize human impact on the planet,” says TerraCycle CEO Tom Szaky. “During the course of our 18-year history, we’ve successfully translated our passion for what we do into an established company built on a strong financial foundation with sustained earnings and growth.”   Using third-party logistics and facilities, TerraCycle converts collected waste into raw materials that are sold to and used by manufacturers to create new products. Examples of waste streams collected and recycled by TerraCycle include chip bags, coffee capsules, cigarette butts, oral care, beauty care, writing utensils and more than 100 other waste streams in the U.S., TerraCycle reports in a news release on its second-quarter earnings.  

A company that focuses on hard-to-recycle materials says new partnerships with brand owners and increased sales of mail-in recycling boxes drove better financial results during the first half of 2019.   New Jersey-headquartered TerraCycle reported $11.2 million in net sales during the first six months of the year, up 18.8% over the same period in 2018. Its income before taxes was $2.3 million, up 174.7%. Its gross profit margin was 56.5%, up from 45.2% from a year ago.   The semi-annual report was filed on Sept. 24 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). TerraCycle reports financial information to the SEC because it launched a $25 million stock offering last year. As of Sept. 24, 2019, the company has raised over $9 million from the sale of the securities.   TerraCycle collects difficult-to-recycle materials mostly via mail-in in programs. It then aggregates and sorts material before sending it to processors and then on to manufacturers.   Most of its revenue comes from four separate operating segments. The following are first half 2019 financial numbers broken down by segment (income numbers are before taxes):  

Sponsored Waste Collection Programs

• Net sales: $4.4 million, up 45%
• Income: $1.8 million, up 108%

  This TerraCycle segment is also called brand partnerships or Brand Sponsored Collection Programs. Through it, brand owners pay the shipping, sorting and processing costs incurred when consumers mail their products to TerraCycle for recycling.   Consumers receive charity points they can use to make donations to nonprofit groups.   To drive the 2019 sales increase in this segment, TerraCycle signed deals with the following companies to launch programs: Calbee, Earth Animal, Gillette, LOL Surprise, Limelife by Alcone, Mountain House, Weleda, Martini & Rossi Frose, and Herbal Essences.  

Zero Waste boxes

• Net sales: $2.8 million, up 61.8%
• Income: $1 million, up 98.8%

  This division focuses on selling prepaid shipping boxes to consumers who want to mail in recyclables not sponsored by a brand owner. The price of the box covers the costs of material handling and processing.   TerraCycle also provides private-label box services for companies and distributors that seek to offer a recycling option as part of their sale or service.   During the first half of the year, sales of boxes through the website continued to grow and now average $300,000 per month, according to TerraCycle.   Additionally, the company signed new partnerships to provide private-label boxes for the following companies: Williams and Sonoma (for recycling of coffee capsules), Dillard’s (beauty products), Vans (footwear), GrainPro (feed bags), Reebok (clothing), GPJ Experiential Marketing (name tags and lanyards), Nature Valley (candy and snack wrappers), Barilla (plastic packaging and compost), HBI International (cigarette waste).  

Material sales

• Net sales: $273,000, down 80.4%
• Income: Loss of $845,000, down 54.8%

  This segment is responsible for selling recyclables (usually plastics) collected through the sponsored waste and Zero Waste boxes programs. Most often, an outside recycling company will process the scrap plastics into pellets on behalf of TerraCycle, which then sells the pellets to manufacturers for injection molding or extruding into containers or plastic lumber (in rare cases, the plastics reclaimer will outright buy the scrap materials from TerraCycle).   TerraCycle attributed the large decrease in material sales during the first half of 2019 to the timing of closing large deals. “While two larger sales were finalized in the first half of 2018, we [were] in the process of completing equally large deals in the second half of 2019, which will put us in line or potentially above the total revenue of the prior year,” according to TerraCycle.   This year, this segment also launched its largest retail recycling program, working with Walmart to collect car seats at 4,200 stores.   Company staff have continued to find buyers for TerraCycle’s recovered materials faster than predicted and budgeted, according to the company. “This performance has produced savings in expected cost of revenues and reduces budgeted warehouse spend,” according to the semi-annual report.  

Regulated waste:

• Net sales: $3.5 million, down 5.3%
• Income: Loss of $11,000, down 104%

  This segment manages lamps and bulbs, batteries, scrap electronics, organic waste, medical waste and other materials.   This decrease was “partially impacted by the disruption of moving to new systems to integrate with the rest of the company.” TerraCycle on Oct. 31, 2017 acquired Chicago-based Air Cycle Corporation for $3.3 million and used it to launch the current regulated waste division.  

It's the Pink Ribbon edition -- and it's a part of P&G's three-month pilot test to see if consumers are willing to refill beauty products.

Olay Regenerist Whip Pink Ribbon Moisturizer & Its Refillable Package

Olay Regenerist Whip Limited Edition Pink Ribbon Face Moisturizer + Single Use Refill is mailed in a box that is printed with illustrations showing how to pop in the refill pod into the jar. P&G first revealed in June that Olay's instantly recognizable red jar -- filled with its best-selling Olay Regenerist Whip Face Moisturizer -- may soon be refillable. And it's a bold move, and an ideal way for a beauty brand to design more sustainable packaging. Marc Pritchard, chief marketing officer, P&G, made the announcement at the Sustainable Brands 2019 Conference in Detroit during the Brands for Good Panel (see the video).   In addition, David Taylor, chairman, president and CEO, P&G, took part in the World Economic Forum earlier this year, where the panel discussed TerraCycle's Loop program -- and why P&G was one of the first companies onboard with the game-changing initiative. Now Olay's first refillable moisturizer is finally available -- but in a surprise twist, the jar is hot pink. The limited-edition Olay Regenerist Whip Pink Ribbon Face Moisturizer + Single Use Refill launched today, on October 1, in sync with Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The launch is part of Olay's three-month pilot test, designed to find out how willing consumers are to purchase and refill beauty packages. The pink jar will no doubt attract the attention of consumers looking for pink packaging at this time of year, in support of various breast cancer awareness organizations. Shown above are photos of Olay's refillable jar and pods, details about the materials they are made from and how much plastic will be eliminated from the environment, and photos of its outer packaging.

Reusable packaging may be the future of sustainability and smart branding.

Today consumer’s behavior expects lightning fast shipping service. Free or next day shipping is becoming a basic requirement. However, the cost of speed is increasing packaging waste at an alarming rate. Packaging makes up one-third or more of our trash, according to TheWorldCounts.com. How often have you ordered something online that came in a box too big for the item you ordered? All those one-item Amazon Prime orders add up to lots of packaging. A growing trend to counter the problem that could have interesting applications for the direct selling industry is in eco-friendly, durable and reusable packaging. Yes, reusable. The concept is referred to as a Loop system—a platform announced at the World Economic Forum. TerraCycle, a New Jersey-based company, created the system involving durable packages that are used and returned to be cleaned and then refilled for repeat use. “It has the same convenience of disposability,” says TerraCycle co-founder Tom Szaky in an Inc.com article. “This is how we move packaging and products from being disposable and owned by the consumer to being durable and borrowed by the consumer. Packaging becomes a service.” “With consumer acceptance growing, we now have the opportunity to view packaging as durable rather than disposable and offer solutions that are truly sustainable while delivering usage experiences never before possible,” the Inc. com article claims. This process also provides brand awareness opportunities and additional value for customers. Reusable packages can feature technologies such as a supplement bottle that reminds customers when to take the product or when to reorder. How about a self-sealing package that ensures freshness? Not tossing the packaging in the trash makes it a much bigger part of the overall customer experience. Many direct selling companies already use starter kit boxes for new distributors that double as a product holder, educational piece or display item for the business. Quaker Oats is testing a stylish metal canister that customers may want to display on their counter instead of hiding it in a pantry. Brooklyn’s The Wally Shop delivers local groceries in reusable containers and bags. Häagen-Dazs created a double-walled stainless-steel ice cream tub that keeps ice cream cold longer than a normal cardboard container. Reusable, durable and “smart” packaging is coming, and its future is all about sustainability, functionality, branding and user experience.

In this day and age, many of us are hoping to adopt a minimalist lifestyle by owning less and, therefore, producing less waste. For many, the single biggest waste category is single-use plastic products. Although some are safe to use, a number of plastic products are actually extremely harmful to the environment—and ultimately, to our health when they break down into microplastic particles.   At first, I was anxious about the thought of going plastic-free—as someone who keeps her schedule tight, I didn’t have the confidence that I could always remember to bring a reusable cup or a glass straw with me at all times. But with some creativity and reliable products, making the switch was easier than I thought. Here’s what I used.

1. A set of reusable stretch lids to replace cling wraps 

  I have to admit I’ve long used a ton of cling wrap because of its convenience. But when I came to the realization that those cling wraps are terrible for the environment, I felt guilty. Thankfully, I found these reusable silicone stretch lids that can seal my cans and jars air-tight. To reuse, just rinse them under water. There are six sizes to choose from, which covers almost all typical household needs, from proofing bread dough overnight to keeping leftovers separated from other foods in the fridge.    

2. Our favorite reusable straws that you’ll never forget to bring along

Our favorite reusable straws, the Hummingbird, ranked top in our tests. (Photo: Reviewed / Jackson Ruckar)   Our favorite reusable straws, the Hummingbird glass straws are great alternatives to the single-serve plastic straws that are typically offered at restaurants. Although eco-conscious coffee shops are replacing plastic straws with paper ones, they still have an impact on  the environment and they easily break in half. The Hummingbird straw is lightweight and easy-to-wash, which means I can carry it anywhere.  

3. A reusable sandwich bag that also holds snacks on the go 

The lunchskins sandwich bags are a great alternative to Ziplocs. (Photo: Lunchskins)   A classic PB&J sandwich sitting in one of those single-use Ziploc bags just seems sadder than one wrapped in our favorite reusable sandwich bags. The Lunchskins have different patterns to choose from and they’re all absolutely adorable. This bag is the perfect size for packing sandwiches without the need to squish anything—no matter how thick your sandwich is. They’re dishwasher safe but also extremely easy to clean if you prefer hand-washing them.  

4. This bento box with a cult following 

The Monbento lunch box is the only thing i bring to work for lunch. (Photo: Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser)   Packing lunch doesn’t have to mean a sad salad. Featuring a two-tiered design, this Monbento lunch box lets you bring a number of cold and hot dishes to work or school, making lunch more enjoyable. Plus, there are options to add a stackable cutlery set, sauce cups that fit in the boxes without taking up too much space, and cute lunch bags that make them easy to carry around. All materials in the Monbento boxes are biodegradable plastic or silicone.  

5. Top-rated glass food storage containers for grocery shopping 

The Pyrex food storage containers are our favorite in the roundup. (Photo: Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser)   One of the biggest challenges to living plastic-free is dodging all the “plastic traps” at grocery stores. Meat-packaging, single-use produce bags, and all sorts of pantry items made me feel like achieving my plastic-free week would be mission-impossible. However, I found an easy solution when I started to bring my own containers instead of picking up pre-packaged cuts. The butcher will subtract the container tare to get to the gross weight of the meat, which is done on an electronic scale.   In our testing of the best food storage containers, we fell in love with these glassware containers that are perfect for keeping food safe and fresh. They’re not only a great alternative to the grocery store plastic packaging, but also perfect for meal-prepping.  

6. An organic cotton mesh bag that’s better than store plastic bags

This organic cotton mesh bag holds up to a few pounds of fruits and vegetables. (Photo: Amazon)   Although an increasing number of stores have been switching to biodegradable plastic produce bags, I’ve found they’re way too flimsy to hold anything substantial. One time I put an ear of corn into a store-provided bag and the cob immediately fell through it. This organic cotton mesh bag can hold up to three pounds of fruits and vegetables, and its stretchy material makes sure that it can fit large items.  

7. A produce bag that catches small items 

For produce that are smaller in size, these bags can help. (Photo: Getty Images)   While it’s easy to fit a butternut squash or three large tomatoes in a mesh bag, small vegetables, such as Brussels sprouts and green beans, can’t be securely held in cotton mesh bags. These reusable produce bags are lightweight, featuring tiny breathable mesh that allows some necessary airflow to prolong the lifespan of fresh produce.  

8. Our favorite water bottle that helped me ditch single-use bottled water  

Our favorite water bottle, the Hydro Flask, keeps the water cool. (Photo: Reviewed / Jackson Ruckar / Hydro Flask)   If you’re hoping to break the bottled water habit, the Hydro Flask can help. Our favorite water bottle, the Hydro Flask scored high marks in a range of tests: It’s portable, versatile, durable, and well-designed. It’s the top performer in our temperature tests, too, keeping ice largely unmelted well past the 24-hour mark. Its patented double-wall vacuum enables the bottle to keep water cold, keep hot beverages hot, and prevents condensation from forming on the outside, keeping it slip-free, and safe to store in bags alongside papers and laptops.  

9. A stainless steel travel mug to keep my drinks warm

For people who like their caffeinated drinks warm, the Zojirushi mug is perfect. (Photo: Reviewed / Jackson Ruckar)   Before I pledged to go plastic-free, I had been a loyal fan of our favorite travel mug, the Zojirushi stainless steel mug, because of its impeccable insulation and lightweight design. Whether I was on a long commute or I brought it on a hiking trip, this inexpensive mug kept my drinks at the desired temperature at all times. The trim build also allows it to seamlessly slip into cup holders and bags.  

10. A set of mason jars to replace most household plastic uses

A set of mason jars can be versatile. (Photo: Getty Images / Olga Miltsova)   Mason jars are a durable and reliable alternative to using Ziploc bags for storing dry pantry goods. Additionally, they’re so versatile that you can use them for canning, storing jam, and making desserts. Bring these mason jars on grocery shopping trips, and you’ll find the store employees happily helping you fill the jars with nuts and cereal.  

11. Solid bar shampoo and conditioners that are full of organic ingredients

These solid bar shampoo and conditioner can keep your hair clean and smooth. (Photo: Aspen Kay Naturals)   I sometimes fail to notice how much plastic waste I produce outside of my kitchen. In fact, I never thought about the environmental impact I had caused by using bottled shampoo and conditioner. Using all organic, natural herbs, Aspen Kay Naturals is able to provide something more eco-friendly than the liquid version of haircare. Unlike the more common brands we’ve seen in stores, this shampoo is 100% soap-free, which means its gentle on the hair and scalp as no harsh cleaners, detergent, or silicone is included in the formula.  

12. Beeswax wraps to keep produce fresh 

Bee's wax wraps are amazing for keeping produce fresh. (Photo: Amazon)   To stop using plastic wraps for half-cut lemons, onions, and other produce, I started putting these hand-crafted beeswax wraps to the test. Even after multiple uses, the beeswax wraps excellently retained the freshness of the foods I wrapped in them. They’re also odor-free, which is better than their plastic counterparts.  

13. Use composting bin instead of plastic trash bags 

Compost bins can help you reduce waste. (Photo: Amazon)   Much of the produce we toss away each year ends up in landfills, which produce a large amount of the greenhouse gas  methane. To reduce the use of trash bags, I started composting the daily food scraps, finger nails, hair, and tissue paper, which are otherwise destined to non-recyclable waste. With a little research, I was able to properly compost my waste without creating an unpleasant smell or attracting small animals. Plus, if done right, I can use the compost to enrich my soil for growing fruits and vegetables in a few months.  

What should I do with the plastic I swapped out? 

  I started researching what to do with the plastic packaging I’ve just swapped out. TerraCycle, a free plastic recycling platform, offers instructions for every type of recycling work. The site lists a growing number of participating businesses that allows me to send the cleaned, recyclable packaging back, free of charge.   For example, if I accumulate a good amount of Barilla pasta packaging, I can sign up the Barilla program and get a free shipping label to return the emptied bags and boxes. Once they receive the packaging, I’ll get reward points that can be used toward donating to non-profit organizations or schools of my choice. If you don’t want to separate the packaging, TerraCycle offers Zero Waste Box (purchase required) to recycle almost any type of waste.  

My final takeaway    

  Admittedly, there were still areas that I could use some improvements while attempting to achieve a plastic-free life: I brushed my teeth with plastic toothbrush heads and used makeup remover wipes wrapped in plastic packaging. These instances serve as a reminder of how ubiquitous plastic products are in our daily lives, and how challenging it can be to cut them out completely. To live completely plastic-free may still be a long shot for me, but it’s no longer some far-fetched, unachievable idea.

And as you know, we currently have 23 pets! It all started when Cassidy surprised us with a puppy, Athena, when Scarlet was four and Des was one. Last spring, we brought home our puppy, Astro. And we also got Luna, our gorgeous cat, over the summer after we had lost our other one. Through all of this, we currently have 20 chickens as well but they’re outdoor pets. We name, love, and care for every animal in our household. And we want what’s best for them all.  

Build a Better Bowl For Your Dog With Earthborn Holistic Unrefined:

  The organization thought Astro’s litter might be “Mini-Huskies” – Husky/Pomeranians or some sort of Husky mixes. Soon after we got him, we realized there was nothing Husky about him. Nothing! And not only that, but his body grew longer rather than taller. He looked like a sure Corgi for a while and then changed again. We had some suspicions but ran a DNA test that revealed all sorts of surprises! It turns out that our “Mini Husky” was largely Chihuahua, as well as Pomeranian and Shepherd. What an unlikely combo! No matter what he is, we love him BIG!     As for Athena, she’s another story to tell! True to the stuff of childhood dreams, my husband surprised us with a puppy. Again, we had no idea it was going to happen. He had found her on a rescue site months earlier and kept the secret through the whole adoption and fostering process. Athena came from Alabama. We thought my husband was at work, but he was actually headed to Vermont to meet the rescue transport. We were sick at home and then he came to the front door her little face peeking out of his coat. Seriously a shining moment in life! So, let’s be real. Even the classiest of canines, which I certainly don’t have, are a little unrefined. They’re dogs! They eat off the floor, chase their own tails, and roll in mud. And don’t get me started on porcupines and skunks! All that aside, their quirks are why we love them. Everything they provide far outweighs a little mud and tail-chasing! In fact, I love those things because they mean PLAY and HUMOR! I celebrate my fun and wild dogs by giving them a new dog food product line – UNREFINED. And you’re going to want to hear all about this.    

Why we love it:

• This food is made with fresh, sustainably-sourced proteins, and ancient grains simply harvested from family farms.
• Did I mention it’s made with freshly picked, nutrient-rich superfoods?
• UNREFINED is enriched with Taurine, an amino acid that helps to support your dog’s health.
• And it’s for all life stages – you can feed it to adult dogs and puppies too.

• Earthborn Holistic is a family-owned company with four kitchens in the US, and has never had a recall. EVER! Do I need to say that twice??
• Athena has seen a cardiologist so we’re sensitive to her needs. That’s why we love that Earthborn Holistic only uses the good stuff. They don’t use the foods on Athena’s no fly list, like peas, lentils, legumes, chicken, potatoes, by-products, fillers, artificial colors, artificial flavors, and artificial preservatives.
• They also use innovative sustainability. Their PlantBag® contains up to 40% plant-based plastic, made from Brazilian sugarcane ethanol, and their plant-based plastic has a negative carbon footprint. NEGATIVE.
• And UNREFINED’s packaging is BPA-free and 100% recyclable through TerraCycle® and the Earthborn ReBorn program. And over 630,000 bags have been recycled and over $40,000 has been donated to pet charities. WHOA.

         

In this day and age, many of us are hoping to adopt a minimalist lifestyle by owning less and, therefore, producing less waste. For many, the single biggest waste category is single-use plastic products. Although some are safe to use, a number of plastic products are actually extremely harmful to the environment—and ultimately, to our health when they break down into microplastic particles.   At first, I was anxious about the thought of going plastic-free—as someone who keeps her schedule tight, I didn’t have the confidence that I could always remember to bring a reusable cup or a glass straw with me at all times. But with some creativity and reliable products, making the switch was easier than I thought. Here’s what I used.  

1. A set of reusable stretch lids to replace cling wraps 

  I have to admit I’ve long used a ton of cling wrap because of its convenience. But when I came to the realization that those cling wraps are terrible for the environment, I felt guilty. Thankfully, I found these reusable silicone stretch lids that can seal my cans and jars air-tight. To reuse, just rinse them under water. There are six sizes to choose from, which covers almost all typical household needs, from proofing bread dough overnight to keeping leftovers separated from other foods in the fridge.    

2. Our favorite reusable straws that you’ll never forget to bring along

Our favorite reusable straws, the Hummingbird, ranked top in our tests. (Photo: Reviewed / Jackson Ruckar)   Our favorite reusable straws, the Hummingbird glass straws are great alternatives to the single-serve plastic straws that are typically offered at restaurants. Although eco-conscious coffee shops are replacing plastic straws with paper ones, they still have an impact on  the environment and they easily break in half. The Hummingbird straw is lightweight and easy-to-wash, which means I can carry it anywhere.  

3. A reusable sandwich bag that also holds snacks on the go 

The lunchskins sandwich bags are a great alternative to Ziplocs. (Photo: Lunchskins)   A classic PB&J sandwich sitting in one of those single-use Ziploc bags just seems sadder than one wrapped in our favorite reusable sandwich bags. The Lunchskins have different patterns to choose from and they’re all absolutely adorable. This bag is the perfect size for packing sandwiches without the need to squish anything—no matter how thick your sandwich is. They’re dishwasher safe but also extremely easy to clean if you prefer hand-washing them.  

4. This bento box with a cult following 

The Monbento lunch box is the only thing i bring to work for lunch. (Photo: Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser)   Packing lunch doesn’t have to mean a sad salad. Featuring a two-tiered design, this Monbento lunch box lets you bring a number of cold and hot dishes to work or school, making lunch more enjoyable. Plus, there are options to add a stackable cutlery set, sauce cups that fit in the boxes without taking up too much space, and cute lunch bags that make them easy to carry around. All materials in the Monbento boxes are biodegradable plastic or silicone.  

5. Top-rated glass food storage containers for grocery shopping 

The Pyrex food storage containers are our favorite in the roundup. (Photo: Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser)   One of the biggest challenges to living plastic-free is dodging all the “plastic traps” at grocery stores. Meat-packaging, single-use produce bags, and all sorts of pantry items made me feel like achieving my plastic-free week would be mission-impossible. However, I found an easy solution when I started to bring my own containers instead of picking up pre-packaged cuts. The butcher will subtract the container tare to get to the gross weight of the meat, which is done on an electronic scale.   In our testing of the best food storage containers, we fell in love with these glassware containers that are perfect for keeping food safe and fresh. They’re not only a great alternative to the grocery store plastic packaging, but also perfect for meal-prepping.  

6. An organic cotton mesh bag that’s better than store plastic bags

This organic cotton mesh bag holds up to a few pounds of fruits and vegetables. (Photo: Amazon)   Although an increasing number of stores have been switching to biodegradable plastic produce bags, I’ve found they’re way too flimsy to hold anything substantial. One time I put an ear of corn into a store-provided bag and the cob immediately fell through it. This organic cotton mesh bag can hold up to three pounds of fruits and vegetables, and its stretchy material makes sure that it can fit large items.  

7. A produce bag that catches small items 

For produce that are smaller in size, these bags can help. (Photo: Getty Images)   While it’s easy to fit a butternut squash or three large tomatoes in a mesh bag, small vegetables, such as Brussels sprouts and green beans, can’t be securely held in cotton mesh bags. These reusable produce bags are lightweight, featuring tiny breathable mesh that allows some necessary airflow to prolong the lifespan of fresh produce.  

8. Our favorite water bottle that helped me ditch single-use bottled water  

Our favorite water bottle, the Hydro Flask, keeps the water cool. (Photo: Reviewed / Jackson Ruckar / Hydro Flask)   If you’re hoping to break the bottled water habit, the Hydro Flask can help. Our favorite water bottle, the Hydro Flask scored high marks in a range of tests: It’s portable, versatile, durable, and well-designed. It’s the top performer in our temperature tests, too, keeping ice largely unmelted well past the 24-hour mark. Its patented double-wall vacuum enables the bottle to keep water cold, keep hot beverages hot, and prevents condensation from forming on the outside, keeping it slip-free, and safe to store in bags alongside papers and laptops.  

9. A stainless steel travel mug to keep my drinks warm

For people who like their caffeinated drinks warm, the Zojirushi mug is perfect. (Photo: Reviewed / Jackson Ruckar)   Before I pledged to go plastic-free, I had been a loyal fan of our favorite travel mug, the Zojirushi stainless steel mug, because of its impeccable insulation and lightweight design. Whether I was on a long commute or I brought it on a hiking trip, this inexpensive mug kept my drinks at the desired temperature at all times. The trim build also allows it to seamlessly slip into cup holders and bags.  

10. A set of mason jars to replace most household plastic uses

A set of mason jars can be versatile. (Photo: Getty Images / Olga Miltsova)   Mason jars are a durable and reliable alternative to using Ziploc bags for storing dry pantry goods. Additionally, they’re so versatile that you can use them for canning, storing jam, and making desserts. Bring these mason jars on grocery shopping trips, and you’ll find the store employees happily helping you fill the jars with nuts and cereal.  

11. Solid bar shampoo and conditioners that are full of organic ingredients

These solid bar shampoo and conditioner can keep your hair clean and smooth. (Photo: Aspen Kay Naturals)   I sometimes fail to notice how much plastic waste I produce outside of my kitchen. In fact, I never thought about the environmental impact I had caused by using bottled shampoo and conditioner. Using all organic, natural herbs, Aspen Kay Naturals is able to provide something more eco-friendly than the liquid version of haircare. Unlike the more common brands we’ve seen in stores, this shampoo is 100% soap-free, which means its gentle on the hair and scalp as no harsh cleaners, detergent, or silicone is included in the formula.  

12. Beeswax wraps to keep produce fresh 

Bee's wax wraps are amazing for keeping produce fresh. (Photo: Amazon)   To stop using plastic wraps for half-cut lemons, onions, and other produce, I started putting these hand-crafted beeswax wraps to the test. Even after multiple uses, the beeswax wraps excellently retained the freshness of the foods I wrapped in them. They’re also odor-free, which is better than their plastic counterparts.  

13. Use composting bin instead of plastic trash bags 

Compost bins can help you reduce waste. (Photo: Amazon)   Much of the produce we toss away each year ends up in landfills, which produce a large amount of the greenhouse gas  methane. To reduce the use of trash bags, I started composting the daily food scraps, finger nails, hair, and tissue paper, which are otherwise destined to non-recyclable waste. With a little research, I was able to properly compost my waste without creating an unpleasant smell or attracting small animals. Plus, if done right, I can use the compost to enrich my soil for growing fruits and vegetables in a few months.  

What should I do with the plastic I swapped out? 

  I started researching what to do with the plastic packaging I’ve just swapped out. TerraCycle, a free plastic recycling platform, offers instructions for every type of recycling work. The site lists a growing number of participating businesses that allows me to send the cleaned, recyclable packaging back, free of charge.   For example, if I accumulate a good amount of Barilla pasta packaging, I can sign up the Barilla program and get a free shipping label to return the emptied bags and boxes. Once they receive the packaging, I’ll get reward points that can be used toward donating to non-profit organizations or schools of my choice. If you don’t want to separate the packaging, TerraCycle offers Zero Waste Box (purchase required) to recycle almost any type of waste.  

My final takeaway    

  Admittedly, there were still areas that I could use some improvements while attempting to achieve a plastic-free life: I brushed my teeth with plastic toothbrush heads and used makeup remover wipes wrapped in plastic packaging. These instances serve as a reminder of how ubiquitous plastic products are in our daily lives, and how challenging it can be to cut them out completely. To live completely plastic-free may still be a long shot for me, but it’s no longer some far-fetched, unachievable idea.  

A few years ago, looking for solutions for some everyday items, I discovered TerraCycle boxes . These boxes available for purchase online or at Bureau en gros met a need especially that for the need that I had at that moment, I could simply go to Bureau en gros and drop off my pens and ink cartridges. No cost and no hassle!    TerraCycle was founded by Tom Szaky in 2001. While a student at Princeton University, he created the company to divert waste from landfills. Quickly, TerraCycle has become the world leader in the collection and processing of hard-to-recycle waste. Currently operating in more than 20 countries, TerraCycle reaches more than 200 million people. This project gives a second life to billions of pieces of waste. Zero Waste Boxes allow us to create recycling solutions for almost all kinds of waste! These boxes can be ordered in different sizes. Thanks to Terracycle coffee pods, used pens, plastic gloves, batteries, etc. have a recycling solution which has the effect of diverting billions of waste from landfilling and incineration. To learn more about the company: Terracycle.ca

RB has established a way to recover difficult-to-recycle packages in the healthcare and personal care markets Does cold and flu season inevitably generate packaging waste? Consumer brands can step up to treat people and planet, as TerraCycle and Loop CEO Tom Szaky enlightens us. A new example is the RB Health & Nutrition Recycling Program, a national network for health-and-wellness package recovery.   Cough, cold and flu season is right around the corner, and in a world of year-on-year population growth, over-the-counter (OTC) wellness is only expanding. Millions of people annually manage seasonal symptoms with health products available without a prescription, items available at most convenience retailers, supermarkets and pharmacy stores at affordable prices and easy-to-use configurations. Packaging plays a huge role in this. Single-use plastics make pill jars, blister packs, syrup bottles, and throat and nose sprays easy to sell and buy—and we’ve also seen many prescription medicines move into the OTC space with user-friendly packaging. Of course, with the lower value production materials bringing down costs to purchase, most of this lightweighted packaging is typically non-recyclable through public programs. In a world of increasing sustainability concerns (not to mention, the changes in ailment and allergy season due to climate), raising the bar on circularity for the cough, cold and flu industries now can create new value propositions in the face of environmental uncertainty.   In sickness and in health: Consumer staples OTC cough, cold and flu drugs are considered consumer staples (that is, things people need year-round)—which is a category expected to grow 8.5% to a $491 billion industry by 2024. Due in large part to packaging technologies, manufacturers are able to deliver on the value propositions for everyday wellness, which (similar to food and beverage) include insurance of quality, ease of use and accessibility (both financial and geographic). Packaging in this space must be tamper-resistant; convenient; easy to open and close by adults (but difficult for young children to get into); space-saving; not prone to breakage in transport, on shelves or in use; and inexpensive enough to not drive up the cost of the product. In fact, many prescription medicines and medical-grade drug delivery devices (items such as pre-filled syringes, auto-injectors and nasal sprays) have crossed over from script-only into the OTC space thanks to single-use packaging.   A clogged system But the current state of global recycling aside, most of the packaging techniques used in the OTC space are non-recyclable. Small sizes, colored plastic, multi-layer and compositional components (such as tamper-resistant seals, blister packs, sachets and aseptic pouches), and shrink wraps are not economical to recycle. Costing money to collect and separate, recycling systems have not evolved to handle these items efficiently, and the materials have low value in the market. Nevertheless, the current track for single-use cough/cold/flu packaging is landfilling or incineration—and entirely loses out on their value as a material resource —and entirely loses out on their value as a material resource. Nearly all the new, virgin plastic produced is made to be used just once, then thrown away. What if even a fraction of the 280 million metric tons produced annually were captured to be recycled, and suitable markets found for the material so that they flow smoothly within the system?   Business can keep the system well Now and in the future, businesses and brands are in the strongest position to impact the supply chain. The bigger the business, the bigger the impact. RB, makers of popular consumer brands Mucinex, Enfamil and Airborne, are one of the latest conglomerates to work with TerraCycle on solving for these breaks in the materials economy through the Healthy You, Healthy Planet partnership. As part of its sustainability commitments to remove or reduce use of plastic packaging and invest in research into alternative materials, the corporation’s brand-sponsored, national recycling program with TerraCycle solves for difficult-to-recycle cough, cold, flu, sore throat and nasal care packaging, in addition to packaging for the following categories, from any brand: • Vitamins, minerals and supplements • Sexual health and well-being • Infant formula and child nutrition • Personal care and foot care From blister packs to baby formula tubes, even condom wrappers and personal care product tubes, the program accepts the many, varied types of packaging that deliver the products we use in everyday life. It also allows retail stores, colleges, gyms and other organizations to sign up as a public drop-off site and build up the recycling network. RB is also part of our new Loop platform, moving products from disposable packaging into the reusable, durable space. It is challenging for products in the health-and-wellness category to go refillable due to the issues of sterilization and reduced “toss-and-go” convenience upfront, the very reasons the category benefits from single-use packaging. But, as RB is proving, it can be done.   Healthy you, healthy planet What is good for the body, delivered in single-use packaging with no recycling solution, isn't always good for the planet, but what’s good for the planet is almost always good for us. Remedies for single-use packaging include recycling, but the key will always be reduction. Researching, developing, investing in and supporting better health care and personal wellness options is a much larger issue than the consumer goods industry, but they are related. The world will never not need products and services to keep us well, so it is imperative that the industry work to do better for the health and sustainability of its systems.

Harmonizing his professional life with his personal values, this is what drove Mayer Vafi to co-found Better Narrative in 2018. He was then Creative and Business Director within the Pajar clothing brand, and roamed the globe in search of duvets and other furs for the manufacture of coats. An antithetical situation for this follower of veganism, which pushed him finally to leave behind a brilliant career of 15 years. " The challenge was to continue working in technical clothing, but with better practices, " he says. A reflection that, beyond veganism, led him to explore the principles of circular economy.   From there was born Norden , a brand of vegan clothing and accessories, made of polyester from recycled plastic bottles. " Compared to ordinary clothing, the use of this yarn in the manufacturing process can consume 45% less energy, 20% less water and emit 30% less GHG."Focusing on transparency, the choice of the wire manufacturer was on Repreve, American recycling company that has developed two technologies traceability of its product. The first, FiberPrint, prints on the wire a serial number to know the source and the number of bottles used for making a garment. The second, UTrust, verifies the actual use of the yarn in the finished product, thus discouraging misleading advertising.   More broadly, Better Narrative's ambition is to complete the life cycle loop of its products. The company offers a coats recovery program at least two years after purchase in exchange for a discount on the next purchase. Returned coats are washed, repaired and sold at a reduced price or donated to a charity, such as Welcome Hall Mission. Otherwise, TerraCycle, in Ontario, upgrades defective clothing to make polyester yarn again. If the manufacture of coat components is currently done in China to ensure a certain volume and accessibility of the finished product at a reasonable price, the selected plant is certified WRAP (Worldwide Responsible Production Manager), thus ensuring a legal textile manufacturing , human and ethical ".   All these values have enabled Better Narrative to obtain PETA certification, guaranteeing vegan products, and to be in the process of being certified by B-Corp to supervise and validate its performances in sustainable development. Following last year's successful pre-launch with four retailers, Better Narrative is poised to officially launch its Norden Coat brand at 75 outlets in Canada, Germany. and in Japan. Raincoats, winter boots and school bags, all made from recycled materials, will complete the range of products in 2020. In the long term, Mayer Vafi intends to gather in Quebec all stages of the manufacturing process, recycling bottles recovered locally until the confection.