We live in a world of packaging. Unless you buy every single food item in bulk, never buy pre-made snacks or meals, and never grab a snack on a whim at a nearby bodega, there’s a very good chance you have a decent amount of packaging in your house. While some things, like cardboard cereal boxes, Tetrapacks, and glass bottles, are a bit easier to sort, there are other items like chip bags, juice pouches, and bar wrappers that don’t seem to belong in any particular recycling bin. With this problem in mind, TerraCycle was born. This innovative recycling program allows consumers to send in material they can’t recycle on their own and allow TerraCycle to take care of it. While TerraCycle has programs that require consumers to purchase special boxes where they can send waste in, the company also partners with different brands and companies to offer free recycling programs. Pretty much what this entails is TerraCycle sending a packing box or envelope to your home, you filling it up with the waste from a particular brand, sending it back for free, and subsequently feeling good about helping bring down the amount of trash that ends up in landfills. Then TerraCycle finds better uses for the material. Pretty good deal for all! Want to participate? Check out these 12 brands that have partnered with TerraCycle to get started. Happy recycling!

Bear Naked, a TerraCycle program sponsor and a Kashi sister brand, is a company that currently demonstrates itscommitment to sustainability by lowering the economic boundaries that prevent its packaging from being recycled. Similarly, QAI’s Certified Transitional program eases the uncertainty and economic boundaries preventing farmers from going organic in direct partnership with key brands.

To reduce some of this waste, my company, TerraCycle, has a variety of recycling programs for commonly difficult-to-recycle performance snack packages. Fitness enthusiasts can now recycle their GU Energy Labs product packaging, Clif Bar and LARABAR wrappers, and Bear Naked granola pouches through our free recycling platforms.

If you are one of the many people who use PUR or Brita filters for your water, there is exciting news! Both companies have partnered with TerraCycle to create recycling programs

The company TerraCycle takes unusual waste like dried pen caps, coffee capsules and even plastic bags used to package food items like Bear Naked Granola. Since the bags are hard to recycle, they work with craftsmen in Mexico to take used and clean Bear Naked bags and turn them into adorable and super strong reusable shopping bags ($9.49; terracycleshop.com).

AHHH it's already August! That means summer is over and kids are back in school! Now the money spending starts, you have school supplies which now seem to cattier to the whole class, clothes, uniforms, shoes and backpacks. TerraCycle is a very cool way to help the environment not only can you purchase things like pencil cases, binders and backpacks you can even send your "waste" to be recycled into something you later might purchase! School is back which means more small bags of chips which means more waste but what if you started collecting those bags which could be turned into your most favorite backpack ever! This year make a box which could be placed in the garage or kitchen write on it bags of chips. Now every bag of chips you eat once you have finished lay it flat in your recycle box. After you have collected all your bags click here (you will have to make a account), and get a shipping label which is sent to TerraCycle. Next thing you know you will see your chip bags marketed as a backpack, pencil case and more! You can purchase recycled school supplies by clicking here. I love that each backpack is unique so my kids always know that is there backpack. TerraCycle not only helps the environment by recycling waste it also makes eco-friendly products to clean the home. I was able to test out TerraCycle Bathroom Cleaner which I was in shock of how well it worked. I love that it did not have a harsh odor so I was able to really scrub and not have to take breaks to breath as most harmful chemicals make it hard to do. TerraCycle has a long line of cleaners they even have repellents to keep animals such as deer out of your yard, without harming the deer or the human. Disclosure: I received one or more of the products mentioned in this post to help facilitate my review. All opinions are mine and I was not influenced in any way. Please contact Casey@themeparkmamablog.com with any questions.

Start by keeping track of your waste and then over time minimizing your waste output. This year join one of TerraCycle's Brigade's, which includes an Energy Bar Wrapper Brigade, Cork Brigade, Yogurt Brigade, and Bear Naked Granola Brigades.

I recently learned about this program run by a company called TerraCycle. They partner with a number of companies, including Bear Naked, Clif Bar & Company brands (including Shot Bloks and Clif Shot) and Tom’s of Maine; and offer programs for everyday refuse items like snack bags (potato chip bags, for example, which I remember learning in grad school have something like 17 layers) and even cigarette butts.

Bear Naked Natural Soft-Baked Granola Cookies are available inFruit & Nut and Double Chocolate 100% Pure and Natural Soft-Baked Granola Cookies Bear Naked soft-baked granola cookies are loaded with the nutrition mother nature provides. These cookies are chock-full of good stuff like whole grains, tasty berries, and hearty nuts. It’s a recipe for incredible flavor and a natural energy that lifts your spirits–so you can enjoy the adventure in every day. Double Chocolate Cookies A delicious blend of whole grain oats, a double dose of chocolate from semi-sweet chocolate chips and cocoa, plus an added crunch from walnuts and almonds. Made with real whole grain oats, hearty nuts, and luscious fruit 100% pure and natural ingredients you can actually recognize and pronounce 10 grams whole grain per serving NO artificial flavors or preservatives NO cholesterol or hydrogenated oils; 0 grams trans fat NO high fructose corn syrup Vegetarian Friendly Bear Naked Sustainable Packaging Project Bear Naked is partnering with TerraCycle to help reduce the number of bags that end up in landfills by collecting them from you and repurposing them into unique accessories and products like umbrellas, shower curtains and tote bags. You Can Help When your Bear Naked bag is empty you can choose from two recycling options: Mail your empty bags directly to Bear Naked for gear: Each Bear Naked bag you save and mail in is worth a certain number of points depending on size, and you can use those points to get cool gear items like T-shirts and reusable grocery bags. Download Gear For Bags Form Set-up or join your own brigade through TerraCycle and earn cash for your school or organization. You collect the bags and send them directly into TerraCycle. Bear Naked will upcycle the waste and turn them into cool products and your selected organization will receive $.02 per bag. Learn More 4.6 / out of 5based on 15 ratings Pack of six, 8.5-ounce bags of Bear Naked Soft Baked Granola Cookies, Double Chocolate No cholesterol, hydrogenated oils, or trans fat No artificial flavors, preservatives, or colors; No high fructose corn syrup All natural; minimally processed; vegetarian friendly