Companies are still fighting to go green, and Kroger and Walgreens are the latest to join in on a new recycling project. This state-of-the-art circular shopping system, named Loop, officially launched their pilot program in May of 2019 in the Mid-Atlantic region of the U.S. to lessen the world’s reliance on single-use packaging, according to a TerraCycle press release. First announced at the World Economic Forum in January, Loop enables consumers to purchase a variety of commonly used products from leading consumer brands in customized, brand-specific durable packaging that is delivered in a specially designed reusable shipping tote. When finished with the product, the packaging is collected, cleaned, refilled and reused, creating a revolutionary circular shopping system. Loop is an initiative from TerraCycle, an innovative waste management company whose mission is to eliminate the idea of waste. Operating nationally across 21 countries, TerraCycle partners with leading consumer companies, retailers, cities and facilities to recycle hard-to-recycle waste. Loop provides customers this circular shopping platform while encouraging manufacturers to own and take responsibility for their packaging on the long term. “Loop was designed from the ground-up to reinvent the way we consume by leveraging the sustainable, circular milkman model of yesterday with the convenience of e-commerce,” said Tom Szaky, founder and CEO of Loop and TerraCycle, in the press release. “TerraCycle came together with dozens of major consumer product companies from P&G to Nestle to Unilever, the World Economic Forum Future of Consumption Platform, logistics and transportation company UPS and leading retailers Kroger and Walgreens to create a simple and convenient way to enjoy a wide range of products, customized in brand-specific durable and reusable packaging.”

How It Works

Consumers can go to www.loopstore.com, www.thekrogerco.com/loop or www.walgreens.com/loop to place an order. The shipment will then come in Loop’s exclusively designed shipping tote. After use, buyers place the empty containers into their Loop totes and go online to schedule a pickup from their home. Loop will clean the packaging so that each product may be safely reused to replenish products for more customers. There are also a number of completely free recycling programs on TerraCycle’s website, www.terracycle.com/en-US, where consumers can sign up for an account. Once the account is created, customers can collect the hard-to-recycle materials and either ship it or drop it off at a participating location. There are numerous different free programs that can be used and each one is for a specific product. For example, one of the programs is the ARM & HAMMER^® and OXICLEAN^® pouch recycling program, which only allows participants to ship these used materials. Other programs include products for Barilla Ready Pasta, Beech-Nut, Burt’s Bees and Brita, which can only be recycled in their specific programs. Being able to ship recycled materials or drop them off depends on each program.

How Retailers Can Participate

Right now, the Loop pilot program is available in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Washington, D.C. If you are interested in creating a collection and recycling program for your non-recyclable products or packaging, TerraCycle has a wide variety of platform options. Typically, TerraCycle collects post-consumer waste from your key target consumers, cleans the waste, and then works with your brand to drive equity and value. Some of the consumer product companies that are currently working with Loop include Unilever, Nature’s Path, Nestle, SC Johnson, The Body Shop and Colgate-Palmolive, among others.

The Zero Waste Box Program

Another great way to participate in this go-green initiative includes the opportunity to recycle almost anything — for both your business and your customers. This special program helps you to recycle almost any type of waste, such as coffee capsules from your morning coffee or complex laboratory waste from your business, sending nothing to landfill or incineration. To open the door for your customers into this program, you can order a permanent collection unit to house your Zero Waste Box. A permanent unit protects your box, can be styled to fit your environment or store, and offers an organized place to maintain your collections. TerraCycle can work with you to understand and accommodate your budget, styling, quantity and timeline needs. No matter your recycling needs as a business, TerraCycle is willing to work with you. They also help with recycling at events in the case your store is holding a pop-up or other related events. Global warming is becoming a larger concern, and with these recycling programs, you can feel better about your impact on the environment as well as create customer loyalty if they can come back and recycle their products at your store. Happy recycling!  

The Procter & Gamble-owned personal care brand has joined forces with the waste management company TerraCycle on an initiative that will see all of its brands of disposable razors and replaceable-blade cartridge units made recyclable across Canada. The concept also extends to plastic packaging used for its razor products. Consumers will be able to recycle their razors via the Gillette Razor Recycling Program, which allows them to download a shipping label and send their goods off to TerraCycle. Gillette is also offering businesses, gyms, colleges, cities and community organizations across the country the chance to become drop-off points: participating groups will be sent a special recycling bin that is returned to TerraCycle via UPS once full, and replaced with a new one. "We are very excited about our partnership with TerraCycle to offer recycling for Gillette, Venus or any razor brand across Canada," said Gillette Canada Leader Jennifer Seiler in a statement. "This is an important first step towards sustainable solutions for shaving products and the start of an exciting journey with Gillette and TerraCycle." TerraCycle has been working with multiple major beauty companies over the past few years to provide waste solutions for plastic packaging. Earlier this year, it partnered with Procter & Gamble-owned brand Herbal Essences to launch a series of bottles comprising 25% beach plastic, in addition to teaming up with the British label REN Clean Skincare on a new bottle containing 20% plastic recovered from oceans, beaches, rivers and lakes. It has also been working alongside the L'Oréal USA-owned brand Garnier since 2011 to raise awareness of the importance of responsible recycling.  

The P&G brand will let people send in used razors from any brand and convert them into charitable donations.

Gillette, in partnership with international recycling leader TerraCycle Canada, has announced for the first-time, that all brands of disposable razors, replaceable-blade cartridge units and razor plastic packaging are recyclable on a national scale.   Through the innovative disposable razor recycling partnership with Gillette in Canada, consumers are invited to recycle their razors in two ways:   • Gillette Razor Recycling Program - Participants wishing to recycle their razors from home are invited to sign up on the program page https://www.terracycle.com/en-.... When ready to ship their waste, they can simply download a free TerraCycle shipping label, package the razors in a secure, puncture proof package and send it to TerraCycle for recycling.   • Gillette Razor Local Recycling Solutions - Businesses, gyms, colleges, cities and community organizations are invited to become public drop-off points for the Gillette Razor Recycling Program. Participants interested in becoming a drop-off point are invited to sign up on the program page. After acceptance to the program, they will be sent an exclusive razor recycling bin developed by TerraCycle and Gillette. Once full, they can simply seal and return the bin to TerraCycle via UPS and a new one will be sent back to them. The address listed in the account will be posted on the publicly available map of local recycling solutions on the Gillette Razor Recycling Program page. "Through this innovative, first of its kind program, disposable razors, replaceable-blade cartridge units and their associated packaging are now nationally recyclable through the Gillette Recycling Program," said TerraCycle CEO and founder Tom Szaky. "We are proud to partner with this forward-thinking company to offer consumers a way to divert razor waste from landfills." "We are very excited about our partnership with TerraCycle to offer recycling for Gillette, Venus or any razor brand across Canada. This is an important first step towards sustainable solutions for shaving products and the start of an exciting journey with Gillette and TerraCycle." said Gillette Canada Leader, Jennifer Seiler. For every shipment of waste sent to TerraCycle through the Gillette Razor Recycling Program or the Gillette Razor Local Recycling Solution, collectors earn points that can be used for charity gifts or converted to cash and donated to the non-profit, school or charitable organization of their choice. The collected packaging will be recycled into a variety of new consumer products such as park benches, bike racks, pet food bowls and recycling bins.   Other recently established packaging and consumer product recycling partnerships by TerraCycle's US-based operation, out of Trenton, New Jersey, include: pouches produced by MARTINI & ROSSI, the Italian sparkling wine and vermouth brand; Paula's Choice skincare product packaging waste; L.O.L. Surprise! toy products; and P&G Herbal Essences hair care products.  

Having a lifestyle that tends to zero waste at home is one thing but in the office, it may seem more complicated.   As I begin this morning my new work 100% dedicated to Effect PH and I have to make a functional office work, I asked myself the question about what I needed and the options zero waste and minimalist.

1- Paper

In the United States, an office worker uses an average of 10,000 sheets of paper a year. To counter this overuse, use a chalkboard and chalks or an erasable whiteboard for quick note-taking. Or, if you have a tablet or cell phone install the Google Keep app that is also available on computer. Also on the computer, there is Sticky note application that can replace the thousands of Post-It cluttering some offices. If you really need paper, consider reusing paper that is no longer used or paper made from recycled materials. Of course, have a bin to deposit the papers that can be reused and one for the paper to recycle.

2- Pencils and pens

I use few pens but it remains that I need it from time to time! For now, I will use pens and markers that I already have at home! These are the pens that my kids needed at school but do not serve anymore! Whether for highlighters, ballpoint pens or felt pens, I have a few to finish. It must be said that when my children were in elementary school, they needed a lot of equipment that no longer serves them. When they're finished, I'll drop them off at Big Office in the Terracycle box. My next pencils will be reloadable feathers that can be filled again and again. For the highlighters, the idea of using colored pencils made of recycled newspaper I like a lot!

3- Accessories

Before buying an accessory, evaluate if it will really serve. Rather than using a rule, I have several options! If it's to measure, I already have a gallon to measure. If it's to make a straight line, a notebook cover can do the job. Sincerely, I do not need a rule but if I had to have one, I would choose a stainless steel. To staple leaves together, I fold the left edges simply. And if the document is bigger, which is very rare, I use a recovered string! For those who really want a stapler, there is the option of the stapleless stapler that is useful for up to 5 sheets. Stainless steel paperclips can also do a great job. For tape, my first option is to find an alternative.

4- Computers and others

I keep my computers very long. Mine is starting to need maintenance! Rather than opt for a new one, I will have the defective parts changed only. Remember to permanently delete emails that are no longer useful. It does not seem, but it consumes a lot of energy useless emails. For the printer, if you really need it, go for a Mega tank. No need to change the ink cartridges. Each color has its reel so only need to change the color that is finished. In addition, the ink is good for 2 years without drying. It's a great buy for an office that prints from medium to lots! If you print very little, there are stores where you can have your documents printed directly from your computer or cell. And think about printing on both sides of the sheet. A good external hard drive to back up your documents can be a good investment. The "cloud" is great but it is not without ecological consequence. And do not forget to close completely what is not useful.

5- Others

In your office, do not have a garbage bin. You will really become aware of what you throw in the trash if you have to get up every time to go to the garbage. Awareness is a great way to help reduce our waste. If you have a coffee pod and bottled water, opt instead for a coffee maker where you can put your coffee in bulk and a water fountain that can fill the water bottles. If you eat at the office, consider using washable and reusable dishes. Compostable crockery is a better alternative to disposable but has to be avoided as much as possible. Finally, opt for a minimalist environment, so you will be more focused at work.

There is an enormous amount of plastic waste entering landfills each year, however, thanks to progressive brands like Gillette and TerraCycle, razors can now be recycled infinitely. Gillette and TerraCycle are working together to launch a national recycling initiative for all brands of disposable razors, packaging, and replaceable-blade cartridges in Canada. All materials collected from the recycling initiatives will be upcycled into recycling bins, park benches, bike, racks, and more. To participate in the Razor Recycling Program, consumers can sign up for the program online, then once they've accumulated enough razors to recycle, they can download a free TerraCycle shipping label and package their razors in a puncture-proof package to send to TerraCycle for recycling. For larger institutes like businesses, gyms, colleges, and community organizations, Gillette and TerraCycle have launched public drop-off points called the Gillette Razor Local Recycling Solution.

TerraCycle is working with major brands like Häagen-Dazs and Unilever to reduce single-use packaging.

TORONTO, (September 9, 2019) – Gillette, in partnership with international recycling leader TerraCycle, announce for the first-time in Canada, that all brands of disposable razors, replaceable-blade cartridge units and razor plastic packaging are recyclable on a national scale.   Through the innovative partnership consumers are invited to recycle their razors in two ways:  

• Gillette Razor Recycling Program - Participants wishing to recycle their razors from home are invited to sign up on the program page https://www.terracycle.com/en-CA/brigades/gillette-razor-recycling-program-ca-en. When ready to ship their waste, they can simply download a free TerraCycle shipping label, package the razors in a secure, puncture proof package and send it to TerraCycle for recycling.

 

• Gillette Razor Local Recycling Solutions – Businesses, gyms, colleges, cities and community organizations are invited to become public drop-off points for the Gillette Razor Recycling Program. Participants interested in becoming a drop-off point are invited to sign up on the program page https://www.terracycle.com/en-CA/brigades/gillette-razor-retailer-recycling-program-ca-en. After acceptance to the program, they will be sent an exclusive razor recycling bin developed by TerraCycle and Gillette. Once full, they can simply seal and return the bin to TerraCycle via UPS and a new one will be sent back to them. The address listed in the account will be posted on the publicly available map of local recycling solutions on the Gillette Razor Recycling Program page.

  “Through this innovative, first of its kind program, disposable razors, replaceable-blade cartridge units and their associated packaging are now nationally recyclable through the Gillette Recycling Program,” said TerraCycle CEO and founder Tom Szaky. “We are proud to partner with this forward-thinking company to offer consumers a way to divert razor waste from landfills.”   “We are very excited about our partnership with TerraCycle to offer recycling for Gillette, Venus or any razor brand across Canada. This is an important first step towards sustainable solutions for shaving products and the start of an exciting journey with Gillette and TerraCycle.” said Gillette Canada Leader, Jennifer Seiler.   For every shipment of waste sent to TerraCycle through the Gillette Razor Recycling Program or the Gillette Razor Local Recycling Solution, collectors earn points that can be used for charity gifts or converted to cash and donated to the non-profit, school or charitable organization of their choice. The collected packaging will be recycled into a variety of new consumer products such as park benches, bike racks, pet food bowls and recycling bins.   To learn more about the program, please visit www.terracycle.ca.  

Sip, sip, hooray! MARTINI & ROSSI^®, the leading Italian sparkling wine and vermouth brand in the world, has partnered withinternational recycling company TerraCycle^® to make the pouches from MARTINI & ROSSI Frosé nationally recyclable through the MARTINI & ROSSI Frosé Pouch Recycling Program.   Made with real rose wine, natural fruit flavors and a touch of sugar cane, MARTINI & ROSSI Frosé is the first premium frozen rosé wine cocktail that is ready-to-drink and perfect for a variety of seasonal social gatherings. As an added incentive, for every shipment of Frosé packaging waste sent to TerraCycle, collectors earn points that can be used for charity gifts or converted to cash and donated to the non-profit, school or charitable organization of their choice.   “As a family-owned business for more than 157 years, doing the right thing for our people, our partners, and our communities goes back to our roots,” said Jaime Keller, Director, Innovation Brands. “Through the Frosé Pouch Recycling Program with TerraCycle, MARTINI & ROSSI Frosé aims to cool off the summer while reducing the amount of waste that is landfilled or incinerated to be reused in alternative ways.”   As part of the MARTINI & ROSSI Frosé Pouch Recycling Program, consumers are invited to send in the empty packaging from the frozen rosé cocktail to be recycled for free. Participation is easy: sign up on the TerraCycle program page https://www.terracycle.com/en-US/brigades/martini-rossi-frose and mail in the packaging using a prepaid shipping label. Once collected, the packaging is cleaned and melted into hard plastic that can be remolded to make new recycled products.   “By creating the Frosé Pouch Recycling Program, MARTINI & ROSSI is giving their customers the unique opportunity to responsibly recycle their packaging and divert waste from landfills,” said TerraCycle CEO and Founder, Tom Szaky. “Frosé connoisseurs participating in this program, can have fun and enjoy the moment, but not that the expense of the planet.”

P&G is adding to the solutions it is making available to sustainability minded consumers in Canada, partnering with recycling company TerraCycle on a new program to dispose of used razors.   Individuals can sign up for the program on TerraCycle’s website, where they can print out shipping labels and send used razors and packaging back to the company in a puncture-proof container. The company has also opened up applications for businesses, gyms, schools, cities and community organizations to become designated drop-off points for the programs, where consumers can dispose of razors in designated bins that are shipped back to TerraCycle. The Canadian launch of the program follows a U.S. launch earlier this year.   For every shipment of razors it receives, individual consumers and local partners will earn points from TerraCycle, which can be converted into cash donations to a school or non-profit organization of their choice.   While Gillette is the brand partnering with TerraCycle on the program, it will accept disposable razors and packaging from all shaving brands.   Jennifer Seiler, who leads the Gillette brand in Canada, describes the program as “an important first step” towards sustainability in the shaving category. P&G is also one of the major companies participating in TerraCycle’s sustainable packaging program Loop, but it only includes a small number of products from its Gillette and Venus shaving brands, whereas the new razor disposal program will accept all disposable razors and their packaging.