There's an old saying that goes, "One man's trash is another man's treasure." Nobody has proved that more true than Tom Szaky. Szaky went from being a political refugee to a Princeton college student to the head of a rapidly growing company called TerraCycle, an "upcycling" company that turns garbage into new products. And he's only 27 years old. His company is at the forefront of turning trash into treasure, of making people more environmentally aware, and of using recycling as a way of helping society. His latest project is called The Brigades, a collaboration with major companies to get people to recycle and help raise money for worthwhile causes such as public schools and non-profit organizations.

Terracycle Brigades This is a really neat program which collects trash items like cereal bags, candy bars and drink pouches, and creates useful products with them.  The school gets 2 cents for each item.  Klem North Elementary School reports in its September newsletter that the school collected 2000 Capri Sun pouches last year, kept them out of the landfill and netted $40 for their school.

A big hug and 'high five' goes to TerraCycle. They have paid out $1 million dollars through their innovative program which turns trash into useful items like bags and ... fences. I've always been a huge fan of TerraCyle and have named myself the (officially unofficial) president of the TerraCycle fan club. (Dear TerraCycle, I really hope that's ok. You're the best!) TerraCycle is one of those super-dooper organizations that helps make this world a better place. The entire TerraCycle business model works around taking trash, recycling it and turning it into a new product.

A million dollars can go a long way in cash-strapped schools and nonprofits. And, when all that’s required is to save items from landfills, it almost sounds too good to be true. True it is. Schools and nonprofits across the country have now earned $1 million through the TerraCycle Drink Pouch Brigade™ program. At 2 cents a piece that equates to 50 million drink pouches collected over the past 2years. Enough waste to cover the Grand Canyon 9 times. Enough waste to cover 2,000 football fields. Enough waste to weigh as much as 20 full school buses! That's a lot of juice!

TerraCycle has hit $1 million in drink pouches! That is a lot of juice! They have paid out $1 million to non-profits and nearly 50 million drink pouches collected and kept out of landfills. A million dollars can go a long way in cash-strapped schools and nonprofits. And, when all that’s required is to save items from landfills, it almost sounds too good to be true. True it is. Schools and nonprofits across the country have now earned $1 million through the TerraCycle Drink Pouch Brigade™ program. The Capri Sun beverage brand was one of the earliest supporters of TerraCycle, a company that collects would-be trash and turns it into useful items. The collection program, called the Drink Pouch Brigade, takes place mostly in schools, where children choose to deposit used pouches in special receptacles rather than throw them away. In participating schools, each used drink pouch collected and sent to TerraCycle earns two cents, with the funds going toward needed educational programs and resources.

Awhile back, I introduced you to TerraCycle and their Brigades. I hope you took some time to not only explore them but to also join them. Previously, TerraCycle shared directions on how to make a Colgate toothpaste tube toothbrush or pencil holder in honor of their newest Colgate Oral Care Brigade. This time, they are sharing another project with us.

Drink Pouch Wallet Craft Follow these directions and you can make a functional wallet using 2 empty juice pouches.

This craft is presented in honor of Terracycle's Drink Pouch Brigade hitting the mark of $1 Million donated (to schools and non-profits) and over 50 Million drink pouches saved (and turned into fun and unique products)! How amazing is that!!?!?!

Terracycle is one of those incredibly cool organizations you love to come across. Not only do they help keep our planet a little freer of waste, they make the waste into useful, fun, good-looking products. They have lots of Brigades to help you earn money for your church or school as well. I dig them. A lot! Emily over at Terracycle has offered a few upcycled goodies to giveaway to one lucky My Atlanta Mommy reader. Check these out!!

Students at Bentley School are trying to do their part to help the environment. The school has different recycling containers throughout the building for plastic and paper recycling. In the lunchroom students are encouraged to recycle their foil juice drink containers, granola bar wrappers, candy wrappers, cookie wrappers, chip bags, as well as milk containers, pop cans, and water bottles. Students are encouraged to recycle at home and bring these items back school. The foil juice drink containers, granola bar wrappers, candy wrapper, cookie wrappers, and chip bags are then boxed up and sent to TerraCycle. This company then turns the “trash” into backpacks, lunch bags, folders and more! Last year Bentley students recycled 1,684 Capri Suns, 1,145 Granola/Energy Bar Wrappers, and 396 Chip Bags. We are very proud of our students for all that they are doing to make the world a better place!