Upcycling is the process of converting waste materials or products that cannot be recycled into new materials or products of better quality or a higher environmental value. This is a fairly new term in our increasingly eco-conscious world. Upcycling embraces uniqueness and creativity because upcycled products are truly one of a kind. One of the pioneers of upcycling is TerraCycle. They are taking wasteful materials such as drink pouches, chip bags, and tooth brushes and making them into a variety of neat consumer products. TerraCycle’s products are available through a number of retailers including Wal-Mart and Target as well as online. The goal of TerraCycle is to help eliminate waste. They run their own collection programs at many major retailers, theatres, stadiums, and restaurants. In fact, you can sign up on their website to donate certain waste items to TerraCycle and they’ll pay the shipping to get it from you and donate money to a charity of your choice. Find out more about How TerraCycle Works.

We have to admit that we are a disposable society. Without doing something constructive with many things we possess and become tired of, we simply toss it away in the garbage can. Recycling of course is nothing new to us. We see people throw away so much reusable stuff that invades our landfills every single day and never think twice about finding an alternative use for those goods. Many of our parents and grandparents recycled every day, not because it was a fashionable thing to do, but rather out of sheer necessity. TerraCycle, a company founded in 2001 by Tom Szaky, who was a 20-year-old freshman attending Princeton University at that time, strives to eliminate the idea of waste. This company offers collection programs to recycle things that people may think is non-recyclable into a broad range of products and materials. Over 14 million people collect stuff that is disposed of in 11 different countries to turn those non-recyclable items into solution systems.

Tom Szaky was just a Princeton freshman when he discovered a treasure in an unlikely place: behind the university dining hall. The short version of the story is that Szaky discovered that the organic waste produced in the dining hall could be naturally composted by worms and turned into fertilizer. When Szaky started packaging this fertilizer in used soda bottles, he began producing the first product made entirely from waste. As a result of this discovery, Szaky began a school program that teaches younger generations to change their habits and rethink the way they view waste. Instead of immediately throwing something aside – they should think, “What can I do with this? Can I make something out of this?” Forget about having reusable items sit in a landfill; you can get creative and sew juice pouches together to make a pencil case or iron shopping bags to make a tote.

Fourth of July is synonymous for cookouts and fireworks but after all the revelry has passed, hosts are left with piles of trash to tackle. TerraCycle has a solution for getting rid of all the non-recyclable waste from the Fourth and other summer parties through its collection program, the TerraCycle Brigade program. Anyone can send non-recyclable packaging from summer events – such as chip bags, napkin wrapping or plastic cups – to TerraCycle free of charge to be recycled or even repurposed into new, useful and innovative products. In addition to repurposing the waste, individuals that send waste to TerraCycle earn two cents per item for a charity of their choice – and there are plenty of great causes right here in Ashburn and Loudoun County. The program provides a great way for people to keep garbage out of the local landfill and give it another use.

Have you ever wondered if there was something that could be done with paper and plastic products not accepted for recycling so they wouldn't end up in the landfill? Several Orlando elementary schools and pre-schools are taking part in a national program geared toward reducing discarded trash. Food packaging such as Frito-Lay® chip bags, Kraft Singles® cheese wrappers, Solo® plastic cups, and Scott® paper towel and napkin wrappers can all be turned into useful products at TerraCycle®. TerraCycle was founded in 2001 by Princeton University freshman, Tom Szaky, who packaged organic fertilizer in used soda bottles. Today, the company reports more than 20,000,000 people have collected almost 2,000,000 units of trash to that created 260 different products and donated more than $2,500,000,000 to charity.

I love art. And being crafty. So this summer I am all about finding ways to get my kids away from the television with new and fun projects. I recently came across two that I'm eager to try from my friends at TerraCycle. Solo Cup Planters You'll need some empty plastic cups, art supplies (like stickers & markers), potting soil, and seeds or plants. Step 1: Wash out some used plastic cups or pull them out of the recycling bin. You can also use a milk jug, 2 liter soda bottle, or anything else the same shape. Just cut off the top to create a "cup". Step 2: Decorate your cups or label them with what will be in them. Step 3: Plant your flowers or herbs. You can get a packet of seeds for less than a dollar or purchase plants for $2-3. Chip Bag Chip Bowl For this one, all you need is a bag of chips, some tape, and four Velcro tabs. You can also use Glue Dots in place of the Velcro. Step 1: Start with an empty, clean bag and cut off either end to make a square. Step 2: Tape the open ends closed. Step 3: Take each side and fold over about an inch-and-a-half and crease. Step 4: After you've got all sides creased, fold up two at a time and secure in the corner with Velcro or Glue Dots. Do each corner the same. Step 5: Fill your new bowl with chips, pretzels, or your favorite snack mix. Do you and/or your kids like to turn trash into usable items? Do you use recyclables for art? I'd love to read your ideas in the comments!

This year, a group of sixth graders, collectively called “The Leaders for the Future,” spearheaded a recycling program at Lawrence Intermediate School that culminated with a mass delivery to TerraCycle waste collection at the end of May. The students began the planning stages in January during a two-day character education program, sponsored by State Farm Insurance. The program was designed to encourage leadership among the youth. Students developed a plan of action to reduce the amount of trash from the cafeteria and individual classrooms. In the lunch room, bins were set out to collect Capri Sun drink pouches and Frito-Lay chip bags. The leadership group sorted out these bins, packaged the recycled goods, and sent them to TerraCycle in Trenton, N.J.

This year, a group of sixth graders, collectively called “The Leaders for the Future,” spearheaded a recycling program at Lawrence Intermediate School that culminated with a mass delivery to TerraCycle waste collection at the end of May. The students began the planning stages in January during a two-day character education program, sponsored by State Farm Insurance. The program was designed to encourage leadership among the youth. Students developed a plan of action to reduce the amount of trash from the cafeteria and individual classrooms. In the lunch room, bins were set out to collect Capri Sun drink pouches and Frito-Lay chip bags. The leadership group sorted out these bins, packaged the recycled goods, and sent them to TerraCycle in Trenton, N.J.

At Bartlett’s Liberty Elementary School, recycling isn’t just a passing fad. It’s a way of life. During lunch, students dispose of their leftover food before sorting their packaging into various bins for cookie wrappers, drink pouches, potato chip bags and other items. If they forget, the lunchroom staff reminds them. This has been the culture at Liberty since art teacher Heather Lass started the TerraCycle program at the school. TerraCycle accepts hard-to-recycle objects like used glue sticks and mp3 players and recycles them into products such as clipboards and tote bags that they sell online or through national retailers. Large recyclers, like schools, can open an account on TerraCycle’s website and track their progress, earning 2 cents for every item they send in. So far, students at Liberty have collected more than 20,000 items, earning more than $500 for the school.