"In the next 25 years, we are looking at world where there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish," said Michael Waas, a vice president of TerraCycle, which works with companies like Procter & Gamble, PepsiCo and Colgate-Palmolive on their recycling challenges. They have, for example, recycled toothbrushes and toothpaste tubes into playgrounds, he said.

Plastic waste has become a major area of investment and concern for beauty brands over the past few years, with multiple companies testing out more sustainable packaging options and initiatives. Earlier this year, Procter & Gamble-owned hair care brand Herbal Essences joined forces with waste management giant TerraCycle to launch a series of bottles comprising 25% beach plastic, while Kiehl's Since 1851 unveiled a limited-edition version of its signature ‘Rare Earth' mask in April alongside John Legend, presented in new, lower-plastic packaging. REN Clean Skincare has pledged to become completely "zero waste" by the year 2021, and personal care conglomerate Unilever recently unveiled a three-part plan to target plastic use in the US, including a pledge for 50% of its plastic packaging to be made from post-consumer recycled (PCR) content by the end of 2019.

The Brigantine Green Team and TerraCycle have partnered by purchasing three “Zero Waste” boxes which will allow our community to recycle specific types of waste. TerraCycle is a company that works with communities, companies or individuals who wish to recycle items that are traditionally nonrecyclable. TerraCycle has recycling solutions for pretty much every type of waste available for purchase.

The Brigantine Green Team and TerraCycle have partnered by purchasing three “Zero Waste” boxes which will allow our community to recycle specific types of waste. TerraCycle is a company that works with communities, companies or individuals who wish to recycle items that are traditionally nonrecyclable. TerraCycle has recycling solutions for pretty much every type of waste available for purchase.

The individuals that led this conversation included Lindsay Clinton, the Senior VP of Industry Initiatives at the NYCEDC, and Michael Waas, Global VP of Brand Partnerships for TerraCycle. According to both Clinton and Waas, in order for the circular economy to work, there must be a mind shift and behavioral change, and TerraCycle does this by having elementary schools partake in its programs because the passion that young people have is very impactful.

The Harvard Law School Green Team is a network of HLS staff committed sustainability through educational and impact-driven campaigns, events, and projects. In addition to Zero-waste Commencement, the group regularly hosts Freecycle events and promotes landfill waste diversion through programs such as Terracycle and composting. The Green Team also organizes Earth Day-related activities on campus, and holds educational lunchtime talks.

MacKay added that her students do in-school recycling. The #5 plastics are separated and sent to the United States to be made into toothbrushes, plastic bags and tetra paks are taken to Terracycle in Kincardine. They also have a vermicompost bin for some of the natural waste in the school.

First announced earlier this year, Loop is a program from global recycling company TerraCycle, which has partnered with retailers and brands to create sustainable, reusable packaging for products in an effort to reduce waste. After placing an online order for grocery, household and personal care products, the products are delivered in a special, reusable tote. The packaging– which is designed to be specific to each brand and product – is placed back in the tote once it is used and returned to Loop for reuse. Products can be ordered for one-time use, or set to auto-refill once they are returned.

Loop, founded by TerraCycle, was unveiled at this year’s World Economic Forum. With the announcement came a renewed sense of hope about the human drive to preserve the planet. And a wish that, after the US got their share of the experience, the milkman-model sustainable delivery platform would make its way to Canada.