he state of Guanajuato needs to promote a growing movement towards environmental responsibility. There’s plenty of facts out there on why recycling is important. The world population is growing, not shrinking, and currently each human being adds significant waste to the planet over his or her lifetime. The most frustrating thing is that in our beautiful state of Guanajuato, society nor government seem to be concerned about the importance of recycling. It is vital that we create awareness among the local population, and let everybody know that the natural resources on our planet earth are limited and we must make the most to conserve, recycle and reuse whenever possible. It’s not all too difficult to make a difference. 1) Guanajuato is not among the top recycling states in Mexico 2) TerraCycle subscriptions number has grown over 200% 3) 47% of the Recycling leading personalities are Millenials 4) Women are more concerned about Recycling than men (Image: TerraCycle) Michael Waas is TerraCycle’s Global Vice President, in charge of Business Development and Client Services, he is responsible for managing and expanding TerraCycle’s 100+ national recycling programs. The programs recycle traditionally non-recyclable waste streams and are run in conjunction with major brands partners (including L’Oreal, Bimbo, Kraft Foods, PepsiCo, Mondelez, P&G, and many more). TerraCycle operates in 20 countries and has pioneered solutions for recycling some of the most challenging waste streams in the world, including chip bags, water filters, cigarette butts, cosmetic packaging and more. TerraCycle’s award-winning programs engage tens of millions of consumers and have diverted billions of pieces of waste; since 2007 the company has paid more than $10 million to schools and non profits in return for waste collected through the programs. Michael joined TerraCycle in 2008 after a chance meeting with founder Tom Szaky through the StartingBloc fellowship. He holds a bachelors in Music and Political Science and an M.A. in Political Science from Central Michigan University. Michael Waas (Photo: TerraCycle) Here is the full interview: Hi Michael, thank you so much for agreeing to have this interview, it is a pleasure to have you here in Mexico and we hope you have a great stay!

• TerraCycle is known all over the world. Nevertheless, there are some people in Mexico who still don’t know about it. What is Terracycle?

What is its purpose and how does The company work? TerraCycle is a global company known for recycling typically non-recyclable materials. Its purpose is to eliminate the idea of waste, meaning we don’t want there to be the concept of waste but rather to have people think about things being repurposed, reused or recycled. The company has several ways it gets the materials we recycle. In Mexico, we have free collection programs that are sponsored by companies that want to take responsibility for their products or packaging. Anyone can sign up for these on our website.  

• What kind of waste is the most interesting to collect for Terracycle and why?

We think every kind of waste is interesting to collect, but we really like to collect the most difficult to recycle items that take up a lot of space in landfills.

• What products can be created with the recycled waste?

We recycle the materials into a plastic that can be used in any product that manufacturers want to use recycled plastic. That means the plastic can be used for park benches, garbage bins, bike racks, picnic tables, and much, much more.

• TerraCycle currently runs over 100 waste collection programs. What is it like having to work with these programs together with the different cultures and traditions around the world?

 It can be challenging, but it’s great. We make sure we have a good understanding of the cultures and traditions before we launch in a country. Our employees are often native to that country so that also helps.   Michael Waas and members of the TerraCycle Team in CDMX (Photo: TerraCycle)

• To date, what recycling program has been the most challenging to create and why?

Each   of the packaging or products have their own challenges, but those made of multiple materials or layers has the potential to be more difficult and costly because ideally, you want to separate  the materials and recycle them individually.

• Each recycling program is possible thanks to the partners that work alongside TerraCycle. What is the main ingredient when looking for partnerships with different brands?

We love working with companies who recognize the importance of taking responsibility for their packaging and who want to make an impact environmentally. We also look for companies that want to embrace their partnership with us.

• We are well aware of the success of the programs involving cosmetic packaging and cigarette butts. What other programs would you like to develop in the future?

Everything! We want to tackle waste that takes up space in landfills, but shouldn’t have to if there was a way to recycle it.

• What opportunities do you see in Mexico that you haven’t seen anywhere else?

In Mexico, we see a growing movement toward environmental responsibility and an increasing number of companies and individuals who want to take action to reduce landfill waste. Not that we don’t see that elsewhere, but it’s exciting to see it happening in Mexico. 

• Can you tell us anything about the future programs in Mexico?

We have a lot of exciting things in the works for Mexico and when we are able to launch them, they will be the first of their kind in the world.  Michael Waas (Photo: TerraCycle) Thank you so much for your time, Michael, We hope you have a great time in Mexico City.

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About TerraCycle Mexico: In the month of September TerraCycle Mexico celebrated its 7th anniversary by collecting and recycling waste around the Mexican Republic; said this left a reminder of how we can become collectors within the country and not only contribute to the best of our environment also remunerate other non-profit associations. The most recent number that has been donating is $ 409,936.74 pesos. Some of the associations that have benefited are:  

1. APANICAL (Association of Parents of Children with Cancer and Leukemia) – Located in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, has received $ 135.360 pesos.
2. High School 20 Juan F. Escamilla -received $ 22.999 pesos, this school is located in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon.
3. Francisco I. Madero School In Mezquitic, Jalisco received $ 20.029 pesos.
4. Operation Smile-In Zapopan, Jalisco received $ 16.185 pesos.

A TV show mentions TerraCycle Canada's cigarette recycling program. The episode is about people highlighting innovative recycling initiatives from their region of Canada.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/nine-decluttering-tips-give-your-9161697

TerraCycle cumple siete años de operaciones en México y aquí estamos encantados de darlo a conocer aún más. El equipo de Terracycle se ha puesto en contacto con nosotros y ellos mismos nos cuentan su historia. Cada año se generan 5,000 millones de toneladas de desechos en el mundo, de los cuales sólo el 20% es reciclable. El 80% restante termina en tiraderos como sucede la mayoría de las veces en México o son quemados y usados como combustibles en el caso de algunos países europeos. Dos dificultades mayores tiene el reciclaje tal y como está concebido ahora: se genera excesiva basura y la que se crea está compuesta por materiales demasiado complejos. Algunos envoltorios de alimentos contienen hasta 20 tipos de plástico diferentes. Así que por muy buena voluntad que tengamos los ciudadanos, la mayoría de lo que se tira no puede utilizarse de nuevo, a pesar de que creamos lo contrario. La iniciativa de un joven canadiense ha dado un giro a esta dinámica en los últimos años. Tom Szaky, alumno en la Universidad de Princeton, comenzóTerraCycle, Inc produciendo fertilizantes orgánicos mediante el embotellado de “excrementos licuados de lombrices” en botellas de refrescos usadas. Desde este comienzo poco prometedor, TerraCycle ha llegado a ser una de las empresas verdes de mayor crecimiento en el mundo. Hoy, TerraCycle es una reconocida compañía internacional de supra reciclaje y reciclaje que recolecta envolturas y productos difíciles de reciclar y los transforma en productos innovadores y económicos. TerraCycle está ampliamente reconocida como líder mundial en la recolección y reutilización de residuos post-consumidor no reciclable. En el mes de Septiembre TerraCycle México está cumpliendo su 7° aniversario recolectando y reciclando basura alrededor de la república mexicana; dicho lo anterior, dejamos un recordatorio de cómo podemos volvernos recolectores dentro del país y no solo contribuir a la mejor de nuestro ambiente, también retribuir a otras asociaciones sin fines de lucro. ¿Cómo funciona?  La operación está organizada en programas, cada una de las cuales se centra en un producto en particular difícil de reciclar como envolturas de jabón, bolsas de pan, empaques de galletas, bolsas de botana, productos de cuidado bucal y envolturas de pan dulce. Estos desechos pueden recolectarse en cajas de cualquier tamaño para su recolección. TerraCycle paga todos los gastos de envío, una vez enviados los desechos a la empresa, el recolector suma dinero a una cuenta individual ($0.25 por empaque), que es donado a organizaciones filantrópicas, escuelas y programas comunitarios. La basura recolectada (envolturas, sobres, tubos, etc.) es convertida en carteras, monederos, estuches mochilas o bolsas, que son fabricados por terceros y comercializados por la compañía. ¿Cómo convertirse en un Recolector?  Varios equipos de recolección de residuos se han puesto a trabajar en los diferentes programas que TerraCycle (26,862 personas alrededor de México). La dinámica para comenzar es muy sencilla; se debe ingresar a la páginaTerracycle México y escoger los programas de recolección que van desde bolsas de botana hasta productos de cuidado bucal, una vez realizado este paso se comienza con la recolección, los recolectores podrán ver por medio de la página los puntos que van ganando y de esta forma convertirlos en dinero para la organización de su elección. Una gran ventaja de estos programas es que los recolectores pueden dar de alta cualquier asociación sin fines de lucro, escuela o hasta iglesia de su comunidad para ver de una forma directa los beneficios de su donación. La Cantidad más reciente que se ha logrado donar son 409,936.74 pesos. Algunas de las asociaciones que se han visto beneficiadas son las siguientes:

1. APANICAL (Asociación de Padres de Niños con Cáncer y Leucemia) - Ubicada en Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, ha recibido 135,360 pesos.
2. Escuela Secundaria 20 Juan F. Escamilla - Recibió 22,999 pesos, esta escuela se localiza en Monterrey, Nuevo León.
3. Escuela Francisco I. Madero - En Mezquitic, Jalisco recibió 20,029 pesos.
4. Operación Sonrisa -En Zapopan, Jalisco recibió 16,185 pesos.

¿Y tú, te atreves a hacer algo por el medio ambiente?  TerraCycle empezó como una compañía de fertilizantes orgánicos y ha llegado a ser una de las más fuertes en productos ecológicos en el mundo. Tom tuvo el sueño de encontrar una nueva forma de ser responsables con el medio ambiente, beneficiar al planeta, a la gente y a su propio negocio. Las nuevas generaciones tienen mayor conciencia y preocupación por el uso y el futuro de los recursos naturales, sin embargo aún queda mucho camino por recorrer, y se vuelve necesario que la población mexicana ponga de su parte para hacer del planeta un lugar más sustentable. Si nosotros no comenzamos un cambio hoy, ¿quién lo hará?. Espero que te haya sido interesante y que seas un poco más consciente de que reciclar y reutilizar es muy importante. Habiendo gente así se puede estar tranquilo de que a largo plazo el planeta lo agradecerá.

Pure Flowers – Nespresso Coffee Pods

Nespresso has joined with recycling and upcycling experts TerraCycle Australia to expand their recycling program at additional collection points around the country at florists, garden centres and nurseries. Lane Cove residents can now recycle their used Nespresso capsules at no cost by visiting Pure Flowers and dropping their capsules (sealed in any plastic bag which will also be recycled) into the in-store recycling collection box. The capsules will then be recycled at Nespresso’s recycling plant. Only Nespresso capsules made for in-home consumption are accepted as part of this program.

“We now have several customers who collect capsules on behalf of their work colleagues and households, ready to be dropped off to us – we can’t keep up.” The used pods are taken by recycling company TerraCycle, which has established a system that separates the aluminium and coffee in used capsules.

The used pods are taken by recycling company TerraCycle, which has established a system that separates the aluminium and coffee in used capsules.

 

SUEZ is partnering with TerraCycle and acquiring 30% of its activities in Europe to develop innovative collection and recycling programs in Belgium, Finland, France, the Netherlands, the UK and Sweden. This partnership brings together TerraCycle’s collection programs, which focus on community engagement, and SUEZ’s expertise in waste recycling and recovery “We are delighted to embark on this innovative partnership with TerraCycle. TerraCycle develops selective collection systems for the recycling of more than 100 specific hard-to-recycle waste streams (disposable items, flexible packaging, office supplies, beauty products, oral care, used coffee capsules and cigarette butts) currently not handled by traditional recycling channels. “With SUEZ’s expertise, TerraCycle will offer more customised recycling solutions tailored to various waste streams,” explained Tom Szaky, CEO of TerraCycle.