Patterson Elementary School students are earning money and prizes for their school by collecting and recycling the drink pouches they use at home and in the lunchroom. Patterson Elementary students have just reached the second level of TerraCycle and Capri Sun's Drink Pouch Brigade milestone contest by collecting more than 18,000 drink pouches. The students have earned more than $2,600 for their school by collecting the previously-tossed drink pouches. The Drink Pouch Brigade is a free recycling program that rewards people for collecting and sending their waste to TerraCycle to be recycled or upcycled. The Milestone Program began in September 2013 when Capri Sun added prizes for collecting certain amounts. In addition to the money they earn for each piece of waste collected, participants can win prizes made from recycled drink pouches, such as park benches, recycling bins, a playground and other rewards. "The Milestone Program is meant to inspire individuals and organizations to collect more waste while receiving prizes for their achievements," said Tom Szaky, chief executive officer of TerraCycle. "It is rewarding to see the students and administration get so involved in making this work. It's an incredible achievement to have kept so many pouches out of the waste stream." Thousands of other schools across the United States participate in the Drink Pouch Brigade. The program is free to any interested organization or individual, and all shipping costs are paid. In addition, for each piece of waste received, participants earn money for a charity of their choice. Founded in 2001, TerraCycle collects and reuses non-recyclable post-consumer waste. TerraCycle works with more than 30 major brands in the United States and around the world to collect used packaging and products that would otherwise be destined for landfills. It repurposes that waste into new, innovative materials and products that are available online and through major retailers. The waste is collected through TerraCycle's Brigade programs, which are free fundraisers that pay for every piece of waste collected and returned.