Talk about a s-w-e-e-e-et way to start day two of our Texas Summer Bash Giveaway…from trash to treasure—that’s what Terracycle can do for you!!! TerraCycle is an amazing company that specializes in making so many wonderful things out of pouches from Capri Sun drink pouches, Yogurt cups, chip bags and soooo much more! I’m telling you—they really are awesome and they’ve got recycling down pact! Terracycle pays non-profits and schools to collect used drink pouches, yogurt cups, chip bags and more! Then they turn those materials into awesome and affordable high quality products.If you would like to learn more about TerraCycle or sign up for their Waste Collection Programs. Many of the collections programs are free and they will donate to a school of your choice! We have a Yakpak backpack, an Urban Art Pot, a Vegetable Growing Kit, an Honest Kids pencil case, a mini Capri Sun notebook, and candy wrapper boom box speakers to giveaway all courtesy of TerraCycle. Click on the beach ball to enter!

Recycling is something we all have to do for the future and TerraCycle is an awesome company that is reducing waste by finding creative was to use materials most of us would think of as garbage. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure right?

This next giveaway is packed full of awesome stuff that is fun for both moms and kids as well as good for the environment courtesy of Terracycle. TerraCycle is an awesome company that is reducing waste by finding creative ways to use materials most of us would think of as garbage. One man's trash is another man's treasure right?

The next giveaway in the Texas Summer Giveaway Bash is brought to you by TerraCycle. They are an awesome company has come up with many creative ways to recycle everyday items. You’ve GOT to check them out! One man’s trash is another man’s treasure right?

Are you ready for a giveaway that is packed full of great products for both moms and kids? Wouldn’t it be great if it was good for the environment too? Well it is! The next Texas Summer Giveaway Bash giveaway is brought to you courtesy of Terracycle. TerraCycle is an awesome company that is reducing waste by finding creative was to use materials most of us would think of as garbage. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure right? TerraCycle pays non-profits and schools to collect used drink pouches, yogurt cups, chip bags and more! Then they turn those materials into awesome and affordable high quality products.If you would like to learn more about TerraCycle or sign up for waste collection programs you can visit the site here Many of the collections programs are free and they will donate to a school of your choice!

We are happy to team up with Terracycle for the 2011-2012 school year. TerraCycle and Capri Sun are working together to convert the drink pouch material into unique tote bags, pencil cases, plastic lumber and pavers! A TerraCycle-Capri Sun recycling bin will be placed in the cafeteria and we are hoping to fill it quickly. Please remind your child to use the TerraCycle-Capri Sun recycling bin when disposing their Capri Sun drink pouch. This is an excellent way to earn money for the school while teaching our children environmental responsibility!

The economy has undoubtedly impacted every aspect of American life, including the way people spend their money. The shrinking retail sales may be a tell-all about a reduction in consumerism — whether by necessity or because it’s trendy — but there’s one other number that may indicate America’s love for “stuff” is changing. For the past few years, the amount of garbage generated nationwide has been decreasing: According to the Environmental Protection Agency, between 2007 and 2009 (the last year available), municipal solid waste (a.k.a. garbage) generation went from 255 million tons to 243 million. Still, considering that amount is double that of four or five decades ago, it’s easy to understand the efforts to promote and encourage recycling. Consumers, of course, are complying, recovering about 34 percent of materials nationwide (from less than 10 percent 30 years ago). But while paper recycling has become second nature (and 64 percent of it is diverted from the landfill), a growing number of people are looking for ways to recycle various other things that usually go into the trash, from candy wrappers and Ziplock bags to potato chip bags and Elmer’s glue sticks.

… unique “green” start up company. TerraCycle’s purpose is to eliminate the idea of waste. Because… if you think about it.. in nature waste does not exist.  Those are humans who have created non-recyclable waste. Non-recyclable for nature but recyclable for TerraCycle! TerraCycle –hereafter TC. How does it work? Basically TC creates waste collection programs, “brigades,” for all kinds of typically non-recyclable waste and turn the collected waste into new products, ranging from recycled park benches or garbage bins to upcycled backpacks, pencil holders or jewelry. Recycled means the waste is reformed into new material but upcycled means that the waste material is reused.

TerraCycle makes affordable, eco-friendly products from a wide range of different non-recyclable waste materials. Capri Sun – Honest Kids juice pouches can be recycled by Terracycle as can Candy Wrappers, Starbucks Coffee bags, Zip Loc Bags, pens, Cookie Wrappers, Colgate toothpaste, and more. Yes this is more involved, so try to get your local community or school involved.

Recycling is a positive action that needs to become more prevalent. However, people should not forget that it is last on the list (reduce, reuse, recycle) for a reason. Since recycling is a process that converts products made from specific materials back into their raw form to be used in the production of new goods, it is only feasible in certain cases. Unfortunately, it is often cheaper (in money and energy) to create new items from scratch. Therefore, reducing the generation of waste and reusing old merchandise for different purposes are both vital tools needed for sustainable living. Upcycling is a combination of the two. Unlike recycling, upcycling leverages the basic material of an object and its physical form. For instance, melting down a bag of chips (after eating the chips, of course) and using the plastic toward the generation of a toilet seat is a form of recycling. This sort of process usually produces downcycled material, meaning it is of lesser quality. In contrast, using the bag as a waterproof wallet (snack size) or purse (family size) would be considered upcycling. Upcycling is an essential combatant against the ever-growing amount of waste in the world, and is most effective through mass organization. Enter, TerraCycle. TerraCycle, headquartered in Trenton, N.J. but active on at least three continents, has established a collection program for traditionally non-recyclable waste that can be converted into a variety of consumer products available for internet purchase or at major retailers such as Home Depot and Whole Foods. The aim of the company is to eliminate the concept of waste by facilitating a status quo of reuse. Any school, community organization or company can sign up online, start collecting specific items (see Brigades), mail them in for free and earn cash or points. For some environmentalists, the idea of partnering with Walmart and other large retailers may be hard to swallow. When asked of any such criticisms, David Smith of Terracycle echoed the company's CEO in his response. The companies we work with are creating sustainable value in ways never before considered, creating greater brand awareness while keeping their products out of landfills. Our mission is to eliminate waste. Working with large producers is the most effective way to do this. Advertisement And their partnerships have proven to be valuable. Currently, one of TerraCycle's powerfully beneficial strategies is taking place in school cafeterias. This past year lunchtime waste was reduced at Lawrence Intermediate School (LIS) in New Jersey through the collection of Capri Sun drink pouches and Frito-Lay chip bags. The LIS recycling campaign – run by a group of sixth-graders – raised over 6000 points, $60 of which was put toward sustaining the program. The remainder was used to provide needy families with clean drinking water, food and school supplies. Similar efforts are now proudly under way in the bay area, at such locations as the Clarendon School, Cornerstone Academy and Glen Park School. These programs not only provide environmental and social benefits, but also serve to educate children on the importance of their future role as stewards of the planet. You can practice upcycling without being as resourceful as MacGyver, extremely creative, or a lover of second-hand shopping. Rather (or in addition), take advantage of the fact that you, or someone you know, has kids. Collection brigades can be facilitated by a school faculty member, classrooms, or an entire grade. Spread the word about TerraCycle's partnership with schools and get involved. Your local school can join at any time, but there are a number of summer incentives for getting started immediately.