Tom Szaky, founder and chief executive of TerraCycle, shared insights into how his brand has grown by engaging consumers in recycling post-consumer products and packaging. “Recycling something that isn’t recyclable, like many other key sustainability functions, requires an investment of money, so what we really have to unlock is that we can learn to create value from sustainability investments."

What happens to all the packaging from our beauty products? Mostly it heads to landfill. L’Oreal  Australia has partnered with the international company TerraCycle to launch a recycling program so that all that rubbish - won’t add to the world’s waste. The campaign involves people saving their packaging and sending it off for recycling, for free.  And you guessed it, the waste is turned into innovative eco products. Check out www.terracyle.com.au

Tom Szaky, founder and chief executive of TerraCycle – a leader in eco-capitalism and upcycling, shared insights into how his brand has grown by engaging consumers in recycling post-consumer products and packaging.

Thanks to our infrastructure partner, Zoom Computers, we will not refuse any laptop. They have the resources to help us do the checks, formatting, software updates and hardware upgrades needed to get them to the minimum requirement for our workshops. Also, whatever is donated to our cause that is not usable will be disposed of at the Terracycle bins at our local Wollongong Officeworks, to make sure that we are playing our part in E-waste.

The first day of the Sustainable Brands Sydney conference has brought together over 200 of Australia’s sustainability industry professionals to analyse the environmental and social impact of brands. Local and international thought leaders discussed how Australia can be part of a sustainable world, creating business models that deliver both purpose and profit, at the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth, 27 June 2016.

A couple of weeks ago Merici College’s Sustainability team, ‘SAM’, entered a competition organised by Officeworks and TerraCycle Australia (a sustainability/ recycling business) where we entered a photo showing how we reduce waste at our school. The competition raised awareness of the great work that our schools and universities are doing in Australia, and to reward local #ECOHEROES.  We are very excited to announce that Merici College, together with Sandgate District State High School, QLD and St Ignatius College, NSW have been named the winners of the challenge.

Win $1000 with BSBF and Colgate Oral Care Recycling Program!

Residents of the Parkes Shire can now dispose of items such as newspapers, magazines, glass jars, aerosol cans, paint tins, plastic garden pots, food and garden organic waste. They can now be recycled or turned into compost and mulch, thanks to Parkes Shire Council's new three bin waste collection system.

We also partner with Terracycle and participate in the following recycling brigades sponsored by Colgate, Garnier, Scotch Brand tape and Solo.  Bring us all of your used toothpaste tubes, toothbrushes, shampoo/conditioner bottles, lotion bottles, makeup containers (lipstick, mascara, eyeshadow, #6 Solo cups, Go-Go squeezable yogurt pouches, scotch tape dispensers, cellphones, digital cameras, MP3 players and ink cartridges.

The environmental and social impact of brands are being increasingly scrutinised by stakeholders, employees and most importantly consumers, and the demand for new products, services and business models that deliver both purpose and profit, is soaring. The world has changed and transparency is paramount. Innovative brand leaders with their focus on positive, sustainable outcomes will thrive, whilst those who fail to deliver will dive.