Spend a little time on Instagram or Pinterest and you’re bound to come across some very aspirational accounts. No, not exotic locales or luxury goods – it’s all about pantries, refrigerators and closets that are so pretty and tidy, even the most dedicated pack rat might find themselves fantasizing about shelf liners, baskets and color-coordinating storage containers. Amy Tokos, a Certified Professional Organizer in Omaha, Neb., said she believes decluttering and organizing are popular now because young people don’t place as much value on possessions as many of their predecessors have.   “I’ve observed college-aged kids and teenagers,” said Tokos, “and they just aren’t as attached to stuff. Fewer of them have cars, they want to live in smaller places and own just what they need, no more. For the generations before them, the goal was to get a house, get a car and acquire stuff. Now it’s more about experiences.”   Do you look at the pristine spaces on Instagram and think your home could never look like that? Well, think again. Here are tips for decluttering even the most chaotic home – and why you should bother. It may seem as though keeping a tidy home is all about appearances, but it actually has positive psychological benefits.   A 2016 study published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology found that clutter — defined by the researchers as “an overabundance of possessions that collectively create chaotic and disorderly living spaces” — has a negative impact on one’s ability to feel at home in one’s living space.   Of course, there’s a financial aspect to too much clutter, as well, especially if you’re planning on selling your home. Decluttering is often listed as one of the first steps in getting your house ready to sell, as removing unnecessary objects can make the home appear more spacious and relaxing to would-be buyers — a feeling that could result in a higher sales price. Consumer Reports estimates decluttering your home can result in a potential increase of 3% to 5% of your asking price.   Does just the thought of dealing with clutter fill you with a sense of dread? Lauren T., who blogs at AnOrganizedLife.infoand has more than 40,000 organization-loving followers on Instagram, recommends starting small.   “Start with the smallest area of your home and take the process one step at a time,” Lauren said. “Devote 10 to 15 minutes a day to tackle a kitchen drawer, a cupboard or linen closet. Set a timer — it helps!” she said.   Tokos also recommended the 15-minutes-per-day idea. “If you try to dedicate an entire day to decluttering, you’ll procrastinate. Start small, going cupboard by cupboard or zone by zone each day,” she said.   Some good places to start are these “hot spots” where people tend to accumulate the most clutter.

Closet

Have you ever heard of the Pareto Principle? In 1896, Vilfredo Pareto, an Italian economist, observed that 80% of Italy’s wealth was owned by 20% of the population. Since then, his 80/20 rule has been found to apply to many areas of our lives, including our wardrobes. As Tokos said, the average person wears 20% of their clothes 80% of the time — that’s why you have a closet full of clothes and nothing to wear.   She recommended keeping a donation basket near the closet. “If you take something off because you don’t like the way it looks or feels, put it in the donation bin,” she said.   She also recommended turning all of the clothes hanging in your closet so the hangers face back-to-front. Over the next six months to a year, when you wear an item of clothing, return it to the closet with the hanger facing the correct way. At the end the year, you’ll be able to easily see the clothing you never wear and donate it. This works with shoes, too. If you normally store your shoes with the toes pointed in, flip them around to see which ones you’re not using.  

Paper

Paper, especially mail, is a big issue for many people. Tokos recommended keeping a recycle bin just outside your door so you can dispose of most of that paper before it even comes into your house.   For papers that can’t be tossed immediately, Tokos recommended sorting them by the next action you need to take with it. For example, have a place for things to be read, bills to be paid, coupons to be used and items that need to be added to your calendar.   “Don’t just stack everything in one pile,” Tokos said. “When you organize paperwork by the next action, it’s a lot less daunting than one big pile and makes dealing with it realistic.”  

Kids’ bedroom

Most parents know how kids’ clothing and toys seem to multiply daily, so keeping their room tidy is an ongoing chore.   Tokos recommended cutting back on the amount of clothing you buy for your kids. “Kids will wear the same things over and over again. So give them five outfits they love and don’t keep anything else in the house,” she said. This tip works especially well for accessories like socks — “if your kids have 30 pairs of socks, they’ll be all over the house. If they have seven pairs, those socks become really important and you won’t find them shoved in the couch cushions.”   Lauren stays on top of her daughter’s toy clutter by maintaining a “one in, one out” rule. “If a new toy comes into the house then an existing toy must be donated to charity,” she said. She also recommends keeping a “donate” basket in your child’s closet so you can immediately weed out any clothing that’s been outgrown.  

Sentimental items

Even the most ruthless declutterer can hit a roadblock when they arrive at sentimental items like photographs, family heirlooms and kids’ artwork. But when it comes to such memorabilia, less is more.   “If you love certain items, you need to make them a treasure and only keep a few of them,” Tokos said. If you keep too many “treasures,” they start to look more like junk.   “For example,” Tokos said, “if you have 10 boxes of childhood memorabilia stored in boxes in the basement and something happens to you, your family will never go through all of those boxes. They might look through one and toss the rest.”   So pare down your collection of sentimental items and look for ways to display your keepsakes rather than storing boxes upon boxes of these items in the basement.   Lauren offered a special tip for children’s artwork. “Eighty percent of the pictures my daughter draws are automatically placed in a “send to grandparents” file. I try to mail them out at least once a month to reduce paper clutter,” she said.   No matter which area you tackle first, Lauren recommends taking everything out of the space you’re working on, cleaning it thoroughly and then making decisions on objects one-by-one.   “Before putting anything back in the space, decide what category the object falls in: Keep, Toss, Donate or Relocate. Then it becomes very simple; the toss pile is garbage that can be discarded immediately, the donate pile is a box to be donated at the end of the week or month, and things in the relocate pile can be placed back into their proper space in another area of your home.”   After purging, Lauren recommended looking at what remains before investing in some sort of organizational system. She said a shoebox can do wonders for organizing small objects rather than simply putting them place into a newly decluttered space.   What to do with all of the items you remove from your home? You have several options.

• Donate them. The easiest way to get rid of unwanted items is to drop them off at a local charity or thrift shop like Goodwill or Salvation Army. Donate gently used books to your local library, work-appropriate clothing to Dress for Success and household items and building materials to Habitat for Humanity ReStore. Save your donation receipts, as you might be able to claim a tax deduction.
• Host a garage sale. If you have a lot of stuff to get rid of, you could turn your trash into cash with a garage sale. Team up with family members or neighbors to get more inventory and make it fun.
• Sell it online. You may be able to make more money selling certain high-value items online. Try eBay, Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace.
• Recycle it. Some of the items you need to get rid of might not be worth donating or reselling, but that doesn’t mean they need to wind up in a landfill. Many cities have bins for recycling worn-out clothing. Used athletic shoes can be dropped off at a Nike retail store for their Reuse-a-Shoe Check out TerraCycle for more free recycling programs near you or to purchase a Zero Waste Box that allows you to recycle anything from coffee pods to toothbrushes. You might also find someone near you who is interested in taking unusual items off your hands through the Freecycle Network, a network of nearly 1 million members who give and get stuff for free in their communities to keep stuff out of landfills.

Remember, after you’ve decluttered your home, you’ll need ongoing maintenance to keep it organized. “It has to be an everyday thing, not an annual event,” Tokos said.   She recommended setting up systems to make it easy to maintain, like keeping a donation basket in your closet and communicating with family members to make sure everyone has the opportunity to add to the donation pile.   Keeping on top of paperwork and mail is a daily chore. “The mail never stops,” Tokos said, “and the longer you let it pile up, the more overwhelming it gets. Set a timer to see how long it takes you to go through the mail. It typically takes just three minutes if you do it daily. When you time it, you realize it’s not a huge job and you can just get it done.”   To maintain the motivation, Lauren recommends taking the time to enjoy your newly organized spaces.   “Open the cupboard you just organized and designed to perfectly suit you and your life and just bask in the glow of something you created,” she said. “Be excited and love every minute of the process.”

By now, you’ve likely heard of the world’s horrific plastic waste problem and how it’s steadily piling up in landfills, the ocean, and in the bellies of precious marine life. In an attempt to help curb the issue, you’ve likely opted for reusable water bottles, stainless steel drinking straws, and a myriad of tote bags perfect for all of your shopping needs. Sadly, plastic is ubiquitous — and try as you might, it’s probably creeping into your everyday life in places you’d never guess. A recent study found tiny plastic particles in the digestive systems of people from eight different countries. And if you think you’re safe from consuming plastic because you don’t eat fish or drink from plastic water bottles — think again! Studies detected microplastics in 83 percent of global tap water samples (with the U.S. having the highest contamination rate of 94 percent!) and also discovered more than 100 pieces of microplastic fall onto our plates each time we sit down to eat via the dust in the air! Clearly, avoiding plastic altogether is impossible, but the fact that plastic contains toxic chemicals that are causing a host of health problems—obesity, inflammation of the lungs, stomach, and intestinal tracts, various cancers, heart disease, etc.—coupled with its utter pervasiveness in our everyday lives should give us the kick in the butt we need to be even more diligent about reducing our plastic usage. If you’ve already ditched the obvious culprits of plastic utensils and to-go containers, you’re on the right track. However, many of your household items may contain plastic, unbeknownst to you! Here are a few places plastic could be lurking in your home:

1. Tea Bags

You may be shocked to learn that more than 95 percent of all tea bags are fastened using polypropylene, a sealing plastic. You can help cut back on the amount of plastic that leaches into the soil of landfills and avoid microplastics winding up in your brew by opting for plastic-free tea bags—just be mindful of the packaging they come in. Alternatively, the more low-waste option is to purchase loose leaf tea in bulk from the store and use a tea steeper or fill your own reusable, plastic-free tea bags.

2. Clothing

Approximately 63 percent of clothing is made from plastic. This presents a major problem as microplastics wind up in wastewater during washing. While scientists are trying to create a filter to remedy this issue, there are simple steps you can take to reduce microplastic water pollution: avoid buying fast fashion pieces, purchase clothing made from 100 percent natural fibers like organic cotton or Tencel, and if you do wear clothing made from synthetic materials (which contain microplastics), wash them less frequently.

3. Chewing Gum

You may already avoid gum containing animal products like gelatin (such as Altoids), but did you know most chewing gums also contain plastic? Previously, gum was made using natural ingredients like chicle (derived from trees); however, in an attempt to create more readily accessible ingredients, gum base ingredients (wholly approved by the FDA) now include such things as wax, rubber (derived from crude oil), and plastic. Along with the health implications this poses, gum is also one of the most littered items (aside from cigarette butts), presenting a host of environmental repercussions as well! If you’re looking for healthier and more eco-conscious alternatives to gum, try plastic-free chewing gums like Simple Gum, or opt for more natural options like chewing on cloves or mint leaves — both of which freshen breath and have many health benefits like improved digestion.

4. Contact Lenses

In the United States, more than 45 million people wear contact lenses — which are typically made from moldable plastic materials. Being that contact lenses are not permanently reusable and must eventually be throw away, they are typically disposed of by either being flushed down the toilet, washed down the sink drain, or tossed out in the trash. Although keeping them out of waterways may seem like the better option, sending them to landfills isn’t any better. For those not keen on wearing glasses, worry not because there are many recycling programs — such as TerraCycle or Bausch + Lomb ONE by ONE program (in collaboration with TerraCycle) — that will properly dispose of your contact lenses.

5. Diapers

If you’re an eco-conscious momma, you may be all-too familiar with the dilemma of finding a “greener” method of disposing of your baby’s poop. On the one hand, disposable diapers clog up landfills and release CFCs into the atmosphere — which in turn deplete the ozone layer — and on the other hand, reusable cloth diapers are major energy wasters in terms of washing. Either way, both options may also contain plastic. Whether you opt for disposable or reusable diapers, pay close attention to labels and try avoiding those that contain plastic. If you do choose to go with disposable diapers, there are many brands out there that make plastic-free diapers out of natural and renewable materials. Have you made the switch from these plastic items? 

By now, you’ve likely heard of the world’s horrific plastic waste problem and how it’s steadily piling up in landfills, the ocean, and in the bellies of precious marine life. In an attempt to help curb the issue, you’ve likely opted for reusable water bottles, stainless steel drinking straws, and a myriad of tote bags perfect for all of your shopping needs.   Sadly, plastic is ubiquitous — and try as you might, it’s probably creeping into your everyday life in places you’d never guess. A recent study found tiny plastic particles in the digestive systems of people from eight different countries. And if you think you’re safe from consuming plastic because you don’t eat fish or drink from plastic water bottles — think again! Studies detected microplastics in 83 percent of global tap water samples (with the U.S. having the highest contamination rate of 94 percent!) and also found more than 100 pieces of microplastic fall onto our plates each time we sit down to eat via the dust in the air! Clearly, avoiding plastic altogether is impossible, but the fact that plastic contains toxic chemicals that are causing a host of health problems—obesity, inflammation of the lungs, stomach, and intestinal tracts, various cancers, heart disease, etc.—coupled with its utter pervasiveness in our every day lives should give us the kick in the butt we need to be even more diligent about reducing our plastic usage. If you’ve already ditched the obvious culprits of plastic utensils and to-go containers, you’re on the right track. However, many of your household items may contain plastic, unbeknownst to you! Here are a few places plastic could be lurking in your home:

1. Tea Bags

You may be shocked to learn that more than 95 percent of all tea bags are fastened using polypropylene, a sealing plastic. You can help cut back on the amount of plastic that leaches into the soil of landfills and avoid microplastics winding up in your brew by opting for plastic-free tea bags—just be mindful of the packaging they come in. Alternatively, the more low-waste option is to purchase loose leaf tea in bulk from the store and use a tea steeper or fill your own reusable, plastic-free tea bags.

2. Clothing

Approximately 63 percent of clothing is made from plastic. This presents a major problem as microplastics wind up in wastewater during washing. While scientists are trying to create a filter to remedy this issue, there are simple steps you can take to reduce microplastic water pollution: avoid buying fast fashion pieces, purchase clothing made from 100 percent natural fibers like organic cotton or Tencel, and if you do wear clothing made from synthetic materials (which contain microplastics), wash them less frequently.

3. Chewing Gum

You may already avoid gum containing animal products like gelatin (such as Altoids), but did you know most chewing gums also contain plastic? Previously, gum was made using natural ingredients like chicle (derived from trees); however, in an attempt to create more readily accessible ingredients, gum base ingredients (wholly approved by the FDA) now include such things as wax, rubber (derived from crude oil), and plastic. Along with the health implications this poses, gum is also one of the most littered items (aside from cigarette butts), presenting a host of environmental repercussions as well! If you’re looking for healthier and more eco-conscious alternatives to gum, try plastic-free chewing gums like Simple Gum, or opt for more natural options like chewing on cloves or mint leaves — both of which freshen breath and have many health benefits like improved digestion.

4. Contact Lenses

In the United States, more than 45 million people wear contact lenses — which are typically made from moldable plastic materials. Being that contact lenses are not permanently reusable and must eventually be throw away, they are typically disposed of by either being flushed down the toilet, washed down the sink drain, or tossed out in the trash. Although keeping them out of waterways may seem like the better option, sending them to landfills isn’t any better. For those not keen on wearing glasses, worry not because there are many recycling programs — such as TerraCycle or Bausch + Lomb ONE by ONE program (in collaboration with TerraCycle) — that will properly dispose of your contact lenses.

5. Diapers

If you’re an eco-conscious momma, you may be all-too familiar with the dilemma of finding a “greener” method of disposing of your baby’s poop. On the one hand, disposable diapers clog up landfills and release CFCs into the atmosphere — which in turn deplete the ozone layer — and on the other hand, reusable cloth diapers are major energy wasters in terms of washing. Either way, both options may also contain plastic. Whether you opt for disposable or reusable diapers, pay close attention to labels and try avoiding those that contain plastic. If you do choose to go with disposable diapers, there are many brands out there that make plastic-free diapers out of natural and renewable materials. Have you made the switch from these plastic items? 

Subaru of America, Inc. announced today the return of Subaru WinterFest, the automaker's highly anticipated, multi-city mountain destination and lifestyle tour offering one-of-a-kind experiences for winter warriors across the country. Featuring weekend takeovers at nine of the nation's top winter resorts, the 2019 Subaru WinterFest tour combines music, adventure, food & beverage, pets and the environment to create a truly unique experience that speaks to the passion points of outdoor enthusiasts and Subaru owners alike. The automaker will implement additional green event practices this year including expanded recycling collection with TerraCycle® and waste reduction education with Leave No Trace. In partnership with POWDR, one of the last family-owned adventure lifestyle companies with multiple mountain resort destinations, each stop on the Subaru WinterFest tour will include live music sponsored by Harman Kardon® from national touring indie/bluegrass/Americana/folk bands such as The Lil Smokies, Lukas Nelson & Promise of The Real, G Love & Special Sauce, and Langhorne Slim & The Law, as well as music from emerging artists and DJs provided by SiriusXM® radio. Visitors are encouraged to demo the latest gear from top brands such as Nordica, Lib Tech, Thule, Shred and other partners offering daily giveaways at on-site tiny house inspired event trailers complete with rooftop and front decks. Mountain-goers are invited to play lawn games, relax in hammocks, or warm up at upgraded hangout zones with fire pits by Solo Stove while enjoying winter comforts from Stumptown Coffee Roasters, SMASHMALLOW, Chocolove and KIND Bar. Through dynamic programming executed by POWDR's experiential marketing team, weekend guests are encouraged to engage with experts and like-minded adventure seekers - making time off the slopes just as exciting as on them. 'Adventure and outdoor exploration is engrained in the DNA of the Subaru brand and our owners, so we are thrilled to kick-off Subaru WinterFest for the 2019 season,' said Alan Bethke, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Subaru of America Inc. 'Year after year, we are delighted by the growing enthusiasm each stop of the tour receives, and we are excited to integrate new elements of our Subaru Love Promise this year, in addition to the many activities attendees have come to love and look forward to.' Subaru Loves Pets Dogs and their people are welcome at Subaru WinterFest, where they'll find games, guided training sessions, photo ops, and giveaways at Super Chewer Outpost by BARK. These basecamps for dog adventures are built at select stops on the tour (Copper, Sierra-at-Tahoe, Boreal, and Mt. Bachelor) in partnership with BARK, the makers of BarkBox. In collaboration with longtime partner the National Ski Patrol (NSP), Subaru will continue to put a spotlight on outdoor safety by celebrating the mountain communities' canine heroes. During WinterFest events this season, for every Subaru information form received, Subaru will donate $1 to the Subaru National Ski Patrol Avalanche Rescue Dog Scholarship Fund, created in unison with NSP to send five avalanche rescue K-9 teams of dogs and their handlers to the biannual Wasatch Backcountry Rescue'sInternational Dog School. Subaru Loves the Earth New for 2019, Subaru is working alongside TerraCycle to collect recyclable waste generated during Subaru WinterFest and Leave No Trace to educate consumers on zero landfill practices. In partnership with Klean Kanteen, Subaru event teams will also provide attendees with reusable bottles and mugs (while supplies last), as opposed to single-use cups, throughout each weekend. Subaru vehicles, such as the all-new, 2019 Subaru Ascent SUV and Forester Sport, will be on-site for consumers to experience at every stop of the tour. In addition, Subaru owners will enjoy perks such as VIP parking for easy access to the lift and lodge, as well as premium gifts while supplies last. 2019 Tour Dates A full schedule for Subaru WinterFest 2019, including featured musician/band(s) and Super Chewer Outpost by BARK locations can be found below:

Dates	Resort Location	Musician/Band(s)	Super Chewer Outpost by BARK
January 12-13	Snowshoe Mountain, WV	The Lil Smokies (1/12)	No
January 19-20	Jack Frost Big Boulder, PA	The Lil Smokies (1/19)	No
January 26-27	Boyne Mountain Resort, MI	The Lil Smokies (1/26)	No
February 15-17	Copper Mountain Resort, CO	Lukas Nelson & The Promise of the Real (2/16) Langhorne Slim & The Law and Kind Hearted Strangers (2/17)	Yes
February 22-24	Snowbird, UT	G. Love & Special Sauce (2/23)	No
March 2-3	Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort, CA	The Lil Smokies (3/2)	Yes
March 8-10	Boreal Mountain Resort, CA	The Lil Smokies (3/9)	Yes
March 15-17	Mt. Bachelor, OR	G. Love & Special Sauce, Langhorne Slim & The Law (3/16), and Lil Smokies (3/15)	Yes
March 22-24	Eldora Mountain Resort, CO	Lukas Nelson & The Promise of the Real (3/23) and the Lil Smokies (3/24)	No

For more information on a Subaru WinterFest stop near you, please visit:www.subaru.com/winterfestand follow #SubaruWinterFest. About Subaru of America, Inc. Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Subaru Corporation of Japan. Headquartered at a zero-landfill office in Camden, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of more than 630 retailers across the United States. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill production plants and Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. is the only U.S. automobile production plant to be designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. SOA is guided by the Subaru Love Promise, which is the company's vision to show love and respect to everyone, and to support its communities and customers nationwide. Over the past 20 years, SOA has donated more than $120 million to causes the Subaru family cares about, and its employees have logged more than 40,000 volunteer hours. As a company, Subaru believes it is important to do its part in making a positive impact in the world because it is the right thing to do. For additional information visit media.subaru.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

(December 19, 2018) Subaru of America has announced the return of Subaru WinterFest, the automaker’s multi-city mountain destination and lifestyle tour offering one-of-a-kind experiences for winter warriors across the country. Featuring weekend takeovers at nine of the nation’s top winter resorts, the 2019 Subaru WinterFest tour combines music, adventure, food and beverage, pets and the environment to create a unique experience that speaks to the passion points of outdoor enthusiasts and Subaru owners alike. The automaker will implement additional green event practices this year including expanded recycling collection with TerraCycle and waste reduction education with Leave No Trace. In partnership with POWDR, one of the last family-owned adventure lifestyle companies with multiple mountain resort destinations, each stop on the Subaru WinterFest tour will include live music sponsored by Harman Kardon from national touring indie/bluegrass/Americana/folk bands such as The Lil Smokies, Lukas Nelson & Promise of The Real, G Love & Special Sauce, and Langhorne Slim & The Law, as well as music from emerging artists and DJs provided by SiriusXM radio. Visitors are encouraged to demo the latest gear from top brands such as Nordica, Lib Tech, Thule, Shred and other partners offering daily giveaways at on-site tiny house inspired event trailers complete with rooftop and front decks. Mountain-goers are invited to play lawn games, relax in hammocks, or warm up at upgraded hangout zones with fire pits by Solo Stove while enjoying winter comforts from Stumptown Coffee Roasters, SMASHMALLOW, Chocolove and KIND Bar. Through dynamic programming executed by POWDR’s experiential marketing team, weekend guests are encouraged to engage with experts and like-minded adventure seekers – making time off the slopes just as exciting as on them. “Adventure and outdoor exploration is engrained in the DNA of the Subaru brand and our owners, so we are thrilled to kick-off Subaru WinterFest for the 2019 season,” said Alan Bethke, senior vice president of Marketing. “Year after year, we are delighted by the growing enthusiasm each stop of the tour receives, and we are excited to integrate new elements of our Subaru Love Promise this year, in addition to the many activities attendees have come to love and look forward to.” For more information on a Subaru WinterFest stop near you click here.

Geramos muitos lixos diariamente em casa, e muitos são prejudiciais ao meio ambientee nem nos damos conta disso. Afinal, que mal vai fazer aquela esponja de lavar a louça clássica e conhecida, verde e amarela, que usamos há tantos anos e é tão útil? Você sabia que elas são recicláveis? E você sabe como encaminhá-las para que sejam de fato recicladas?

Projeto gerou emprego para nove famílias com a coleta de mais de 1,5 toneladas de resíduos sólidos

Tom Szaky is leading a recycling revolution. In a world that favors disposables and throwing things away, Szaky is asking consumers to consider where “away” is (often in the ocean, based on the growing size of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch). His company, TerraCycle, is working to eliminate waste through recycling the non-recyclables of the world like dirty diapers and empty toothpaste tubes.

Sparkfund: Describe TerraCycle’s business. Tom Szaky: TerraCycle’s mission is to eliminate the idea of waste. There are multiple ways to accomplish that, including recycling hard-to-recycle items and diagnostic waste (like dirty diapers) and moving away from disposables in favor of durable supply chains. What makes something non-recyclable is cost. It costs more to collect and process certain items than the results are worth. But recycling is profitable, so while there are technical issues to solve, the main innovation is solving the financial gap. TerraCycle finds stakeholders that care more about certain waste streams and works with them to finance recycling. For example, Colgate might care more about recycling toothpaste tubes than the average company. Why is recycling important? We’re in a waste crisis: 25% of the world’s garbage ends up in the ocean and only 2% of waste is recycled. Recycling rates are decreasing, and meanwhile, everything is covered in disposable packaging. It’s a big issue, but there are not a lot of meaningful solutions. What's a best practice that a small organization could implement tomorrow? Buy products that do not become waste. You can make it easy for yourself by buying the right things, like mugs instead of disposable coffee cups. Then, for the waste you have left, support your local recycling efforts or think of working with a company like TerraCycle. What’s one accomplishment at your job you’re most proud of? A lot. It changes every day. Today, I’d say I’m most proud of our impact reducing ocean plastic. What’s one professional lesson you’ve learned the hard way? Early in our history, I was worried about what information we should tell employees. I didn’t want to burden them with the issues of the company. But that can make everything feel like a secret, which is a culture we don’t want at TerraCycle, so we went the other way and tried to be as transparent as possible. Now we have a hyper-transparent culture and there’s been a huge benefit. Every team member gets the same reports I do. I wish I would have learned that lesson sooner, but the best lessons are always learned the hard way. What’s your morning routine? I get to work at 5 or 6 a.m. and crank on my to-do list. I start very early so I can be done by 6 p.m. and head home to spend time with my two young kids. I try to avoid staying late and keep my computer off over the weekend. What helps you focus when you’re stuck? What gets me unstuck is taking a step back. I try to contemplate why the problem exists to begin with rather than accepting the problem as a fact. What’s one small thing you do every day to be sustainable? I wear the same pair of jeans for a whole year. You have to wear a pair of jeans every day for them to get a hole in the legs, so I do one pair a year. That doesn’t mean I only have one pair of jeans in my closet, because I have the other pairs with holes in them, but those are for the weekends.

TerraCycle is a company that specializes in recycling items that most other recycling programs do not take. It also earns the Spencer Middle School Green Team cash for sending in these items.   Thank you to the ShurFine and the Spencer Library for caring about the environment and letting the Green Team at the Spencer Middle School place a box in each location. Let’s all give a gift to the earth this Christmas and start recycling the following items:   The more people willing to send in their recyclable items, the better. The list of items includes Brita filters and accessories, chip bags (includes pretzel, pita chip, bagel chip, soy crisp and salty snack bags), cereal bags (either plastic or box liners), foil-lined wrappers for energy, granola, meal replacement, protein and diet bars. Cliff products accepted: SHOT, Twosted Fruit, Roks, Bloks & Gels wrappers; Entenmann’s Little Bites pouches, baby food pouches/squeezable fruit pouches and caps; toothpaste tubes, caps, brushes and floss containers; all ink cartridges for home printers; juice pouches (empty) and markers.   The personal care products TerraCycle will take: lipstick/chapstick cases, mascara tubes, eye shadow/eyeliner tubes/cases, foundation/powder packaging; bottles, dispensers or tubes for shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion, soap, shaving foam (no cans); concealer, lip liner pencils, hair gel tubes. Not accepted: hair spray cans, nail polish/ remover bottles.