Susan Alcorn’s Backpacking/Hiking Tales and Tips
TerraCycle Include USA
#8. I’ve received some information about TerraCycle, Inc. which is “an
international upcycling company that takes difficult to recycle
packaging and turns it into affordable, eco-friendly products.”
Founded in 2001, TerraCycle (www.terracycle.net) is the world’s leader
in the collection and reuse of non-recyclable post-consumer waste.
TerraCycle works with over 30 major brands in the U.S. (and in a
growing number of other countries) to collect used packaging and
products (chip bags, candy wrappers, juice pouches, pens,
toothbrushes, etc.) that would otherwise be destined for landfills. It
repurposes that waste into new eco-friendly materials and products
that are available online and through major retailers.
The waste is collected through TerraCycle’s Brigade programs
[collection “teams”], which are free fundraisers that pay schools and
non-profits for every piece of waste they collect and return.”
TerraCycle pays for the shipping, so signing up and sending in waste
is completely free to participants.
TerraCycle makes a few products from the recycled material that might
be useful to campers – including firestarters. www.terracycleshop.com,
This might be a very good fund-raising activity for Scout groups,
schools, and other non-profits. Go to www.terracycle.net and then
click on “send your waste.”