There are many global environmental issues today that affect lives and communities. Washtenaw Community College has a student club called Students for Sustainability that do their part locally. “I’ve heard about [environmental] clubs here before, but they weren’t sustainable; that’s what I’m trying to do,” club President Joe Chapman said at the club meeting held Wednesdays at 4 p.m. Chapman, 21, political science and economics major has an interest in environmental policy. The club puts up information tables in the Student Center as much as they can, to educate people about things like environmental concerns and upcoming sustainability events. Chapman and fellow members also go to classrooms to advocate for environmental events and issues. A big topic that they talk about during their tabling is what can and can’t be recycled here at WCC. A lot can be learned from the club on this subject, for instance, on-campus, the only recyclable chip bags are Frito-Lay and Sun-Chips. The club is trying to take steps to expand what can be recycled on campus. Soon candy wrappers will be added to the list of recyclable items. This is due to a very helpful company called TerraCycle. TerraCycle is a small business based out of Trenton, New Jersey that makes recycling containers and connects specialty recyclers with people recycling things that people wouldn’t always think are recyclable off hand.

Manufacturers are constantly looking for new, more efficient ways to deliver food to hungry consumers. But unfortunately, technologies that promise to bring you your grub quicker aren't always so easy on the environment. Here are some common packaging options ranked by eco-friendliness—starting with the worst offenders and working up to greener options. Every purchase counts, so by putting your dollar toward packaging that's easier on the environment, you're acting as a change-maker and influencing companies and manufacturers to do better.

Last place: Styrofoam cups

The environmental implications of Styrofoam cups, which carry everything from bodega coffee to ramen noodles, are significant. Americans throw away 25 billion Styrofoam cups each year and counting, but few recycling facilities accept the plastics they're made of—#6 plastics. Furthermore, the main building block of Styrofoam is Styrene, which can leach out and contaminate the environment with toxins as it deteriorates. It takes upward of 500 years for this Styrene to fully decompose in the landfill. Yikes!

Snack bags

The need to nosh between meals can arrive at any time, and snack bags are a convenient item you can easily throw in a lunchbox or tote bag. However, the same multilayered material makeup that keeps chips fresh and crisp is what prevents their packaging from being recycled. Though snack bags reduce waste by being lighter and less voluminous, they're destined for the landfill and therefore contribute to the world's greenhouse gas problem. Thankfully, NY-based food company Hain Celestial is working to combat this issue by making its snack bags 100 percent recyclable.

Bottled water

Plastic water and beverage bottles are recyclable through municipal collection, yet many of the 60 million bottles Americans go through a day are ultimately tossed in the trash. Once in a landfill, they take about 450 to 1,000 years to biodegrade and often end up in the ocean. Try refillable metal, glass, or BPA-free plastic bottles to stay hydrated and reduce waste through reuse.

Glass

Glass is one of the most eco-friendly forms of packaging. Made from all-natural raw materials, 80 percent of all recycled glass can be reclaimed since recycling doesn't compromise its quality or structure. No toxins are produced when glass is recycled, and glass doesn't leach chemicals into landfill when it's tossed in the trash either. Glass packaging is the only widely used food packaging that's been granted the FDA status of "GRAS" or "generally recognized as safe." Nonporous and impermeable, glass doesn't let any chemicals into your food or beverages that shouldn't be there.

First place: Your own packaging (or use none at all)

Buying items packaged in glass is great, but making use of reusable glass storage containers is even better. You can forgo packaging altogether by using these for your bulk grocery products like coffee, grains, dried beans, and pastas. Glass jars also give you control over exactly how much food you buy, cutting down on food waste. You can use reusable storage in other parts of the supermarket too. Ever stop to think about why exactly it is that we always place produce in plastic bags? Is it for organization? Cleanliness? Bringing your own reusable shopping bags (over at TerraCycle, we love canvas ones because they're durable and washable) allows you to enjoy your fruits, veggies, and other produce in all their naked glory. So shop at local farmers markets when you can, where the BYOB (bring your own bag) model is the norm.

Do you know what’s in your deodorant? There is so much information on the internet about how harmful conventional deodorants are and why making the switch to a natural deodorant is the best option for you. My goal today is to inform you of all of the benefits of switching to a natural deodorant and which ingredient to avoid! Tom’s of Maine is a leading natural personal care brand that makes high quality natural toothpaste, mouthwash, dental floss, deodorant, bar soap and baby care products.  The people creating these products are distinguished dentists, scientists and herbal experts that are leaders in their fields. They are dedicated to developing a wide range of products and choices so that you can decide which products are best for your needs and values. Tom’s of Maine natural deodorant is also the best-selling natural deodorant and has been for decades, which tells you something (people are loving this product!) I was so thrilled to discover that they now have a deodorant formula with new and improved scents, and as always, is free of aluminum, artificial fragrances and petrochemicals. What can you expect from making the switch to a safer and natural deodorant from Tom’s of Maine? 24-hour odor protection using odor-fighting hops and the mineral zinc and only natural fragrances. Fully recyclable packaging through local municipalities or the TerraCycle Tom’s of Maine Natural Care Brigade. No animal testing and no animal ingredients! Plus with every purchase you make, Tom’s of Maine gives 10% of profits back to helping people and the planet. Make sure to connect with Tom’s of Maine on Twitter  , Facebook, Instagram and YouTube! 

Dive Brief:

• During a recent Facebook webinar for the World Economic Forum, TerraCycle CEO Tom Szaky explained that the only way the world can truly see waste reduction is if consumers change shopping habits to purchase reused and recyclable products, or to not purchase anything at all, as reported by Edie.
• "Consumerism is the underlying issue of every single environmental issue of earth," Szaky said, going on to explain that big business was designed to "mirror" consumer habits and if consumers don't demand durable goods, businesses won't provide them. 
• Szaky also noted that, of all global packaging, only 5% is recycled. Around 25% ends up in oceans, while the remaining 70% is burned or sent to landfills.

Dive Insight:   As the CEO of a company specializing in hard-to-recycle materials, it can be assumed that Szaky understands the obstacles of recycling just as well, or even better, than traditional recyclers. He noted in the webinar that closing the loop for hard-to-recycle materials is extra challenging in developing countries because there aren't financial incentives or proper understandings of why hard-to-recycle materials need to be tackled.   The idea of "closing the loop" on a global scale has been discussed at length across the industry while a circular economy has been touted as a way for economies to flourish. At recent USCCF Sustainability Forum, consulting firm Accenture estimated that a closed-loop system of reuse could unlock $4.5 trillion in economic growth. And while its been found that there is a global consumer demand for sustainable goods, the loop is far from being closed.   While consumers may be the driving force behind challenges in the waste industry, it is the job of industry professionals to teach all consumers about proper practices and the environmental and economical consequences of not following those practices. While more industry leaders are stepping-up efforts on educational initiatives, it is clear that more needs to be done to get all consumers on board.

Suez is partnering with TerraCycle and acquiring 30 percent of its activities in Europe to develop collection and recycling programs in Belgium, Finland, France, the Netherlands, the UK and Sweden. The partnership brings together TerraCycle’s collection programs and SUEZ’s expertise in waste recycling and recovery. It will offer individuals, businesses and municipalities new solutions for recycling waste that was previously not recyclable in order to transform it into new secondary resources. TerraCycle is a company that develops selective collection systems for the recycling of more than 100 specific hard-to-recycle waste streams currently not handled by traditional recycling channels.

Ugh. I hate clutter. It actually hurts my brain. However, even if I were Mari Kondo fancy, and could afford to throw away everything in my house that I don't love, my inner-tree-hugger would feel guilty about putting perfectly usable items into the landfill. So, what's an environmentally responsible person to do with their clutter?   7. Recycle I know many people who live in homes that resemble recycling centers because they care about the environment. While it is a good thing to keep resources like glass and paper out of the landfill, you are not actually doing the world any good by turning your house into a mini dump. Companies as diverse as Terracycle and Madewell have recycling programs for hard to recycle items like denim, instrument strings, and Solo Cups.

One of the largest waste management companies in North America is disinvesting in recycling. Waste Management CEO David Steiner recently went on to discuss the company’s current business spend, which went from 12 percent five years ago down to 8 percent now. Citing low oil prices as the culprit behind the driving down of prices for fiber and plastics on back-end channels, Steiner argues that in order for recycling to be profitable again, "you either need to draw down the processing cost or you need to drive up the price on the back-end," a position he held early last year. If the value of an item cannot be sold for more than the cost of collection, logistics and processing, there is no economic incentive to recycle it because there is no potential for profit. To begin with, most of the product and packaging waste created today is considered unrecyclable by this economic limitation. That items that have so long been top of mind as profitable commodities (plastic, paper and certain metals, for example) are diminishing in market value is reason for waste management companies and municipal recycling facilities to disinvest in recycling and view landfilling and incineration as cost-effective alternatives to more regenerative solutions. But where major U.S. waste management companies are pulling resources from recycling processes at a time when Americans still only recycle about 34 percent of their trash, European waste management companies such as SUEZ are putting them forward. SUEZ, a French waste management company, recently partnered with my company, TerraCycle, to bring our consumer-facing program structures to its customers in France, the UK, Belgium, Finland, the Netherlands and Sweden. Globally, TerraCycle currently recycles more than 100 specific “unrecyclable” waste streams (disposable items, flexible packaging, office supplies, beauty products, oral care, used coffee capsules and cigarette butts, to name a few) through free recycling programs and custom recycling solutions. SUEZ purchased a 30 percent stake in TerraCycle’s activities in Europe, enabling SUEZ to expand its services and add value for its customers using our platforms. In this collaboration, TerraCycle gains access to perhaps the world’s largest sales force dedicated to the circular economy, and SUEZ sets an example for global environmental stewardship while keeping its eye on the prize: long-term relevance and profitability. For the European waste management company, diversifying offerings from waste recovery to the recycling business has been a priority in recent years, as evidenced by its published reports highlighting Europe’s recycling challenges, contracts for the development of waste and recycling facilities, and project-based recycling efforts for difficult-to-recycle waste. By investing in recycling, SUEZ scales for efficiency and growth by showing leadership in materials recovery and resource management, conducting its business around building a stable, circular infrastructure, rather than allowing its actions to be dictated by the current price of oil. From a business angle, there is critical need for more circular systems of manufacturing and consumption as sheer market demand and resource scarcity put a strain on virgin materials, which are resigned to single-use lives and are volatile in price. We are expected to integrate an additional three billion middle-class consumers into the global market by 2030, and commodity prices rose more than 150 percent between 2002 and 2010. TerraCycle has yet to partake in a stake partnership with a U.S. waste management company of any size. In Europe, SUEZ accommodates an increasing demand for recycling options by offering to expand its services, creating value for consumers and easing costs for suppliers. Some of the biggest consumer product companies in the world are also now investing in recycling, securing supply chains and generating jobs. Future efforts to strengthen our recycling infrastructure and to sustainably develop for future generations are inevitable, and organizations who invest today only stand to make a return.

It’s Halloween weekend, and no doubt a lot of you are headed off to a party, parade or some other costume-themed event this weekend — not to mention the actual trick-or-treating day on Monday. Halloween is big business these days, with Americans spending more than $6.9 billion last year on costumes, candy, decorations and such, or an average of $74 per person. That’s got the potential for a lot of waste, trash and excess. I’ve written before on reducing your Halloween waste, but here I am doing it again, since I’ve run across a couple of brilliant new ideas. • One problem with those fun-sized candies is that just about all of them are encased in wrappers made from mixed materials, which are notoriously hard to recycle. But here’s a thought: Terracycle, the company that has become a global leader in recycling oddball items, has greatly expanded its programs of late. It’s now offering Zero Waste Boxes specifically for candy and snack wrappers. Go to zerowasteboxes.terracycle.com and you can order a Zero Waste Box for this need. Then you load up the box and ship it to the company, and they’ll handle the wrapper recycling. The cost of the box includes the shipping fee, and the least expensive box is $85. If this isn’t within your budget, consider splitting the cost with neighbors, family, friends or workmates. Also be sure to check out the many, many Zero Waste Boxes for different types of recyclables — from action figures and art supplies to vinyl siding and water filters.

October is arguably one of the most colorful and festive months of the year, and we are almost at the end of it! The leaves have turned, there’s a chill in the air, and Halloween is mere days away.  There’s nothing wrong with throwing together some finishing touches for your Halloween costume or spooky party décor at the last minute, but in case you’ve missed all of the plastic skeletons and jack-o-lanterns around you, time is running out! It’s the little details that take things over the top, but to save you a trip to the store, some money, and the product and packaging waste from the seasonal odds and ends you only use once a year, here are 5 last minute upcycled Halloween DIYs you can whip up using things you already have.

1. Capri Sun Halloween Mask

Never underestimate the allure of a well-placed masquerade-style mask. Are you Zorro? A debutante? A superhero? Who knows! But even without full disguise grab, this nifty Halloween mask is an instant costume and adds interest and intrigue with its eye-catching, unconventional material. Click HERE for Capri Sun Halloween Mask DIY Instructions

2. Wellness Dog Cape

Dogs are the real MVP. They love us unconditionally, and just want to spend time with us. Include your furry friend in the Halloween festivities by crafting a handmade costume that speaks to the hero they are inside. Super dogs super upcycle! Design Tip: This sizing is for a smaller dog; scale accordingly for your pet. Click HERE for Wellness Dog Cape DIY Instructions

3. Nespresso Capsule Bracelet

It’s been said that 25% of your wardrobe budget should go towards your accessories; we disagree. Give your Halloween costume (and your everyday ensemble) that je ne se quoi at little cost; if you have all of the materials, it would be a negative cost since you’d normally throw out used coffee capsules and are tapping into a new resource for your DIY supplies: positively energizing! Click HERE for Nespresso Capsule Bracelet DIY Instructions

4. Chocolate Wrapper Barrettes

Don’t forget to jazz up your hair! Perfect for children who need a bit of help keeping their mane tame and tidy in general, this fun, voluminous hair barrette lends itself well to a costume for a baton twirler, a faux flower for a hula dancer, or, more literally, a topping for a sweet confectionary treat like a cupcake or lollipop. Click HERE for Chocolate Wrapper Barrettes DIY Instructions

5. Shampoo Bottle Chandelier

Get togethers and parties are an excellent reason to decorate, and this DIY shampoo bottle chandelier gives off a ghoulish green ambiance that’s perfect for All Hallows’ Eve. Bold, bright and boo-tiful (we had to!), a centerpiece you made yourself is sure to be a conversation starter. Don’t have enough bottles? Swap in some empties of other containers like lotions, conditioners, or beverages—better yet, ask your friends for their recyclables! Click HERE for Shampoo Bottle Chandelier  DIY Instructions Holidays are about having fun. Best part about these Halloween DIYs is that they allow you to use your creativity and your rubbish to make something amazing with items you already have. If you can make something out of “nothing,” just think of what else your resourceful self can do! Another option: make nature-inspired Halloween crafts from the world around you. Happy Halloween Upcycling!

Within the broad range of sustainability concepts and activities, recycling is without doubt the most easily understood and accessible: individuals and groups, old and young, communities and institutions can participate. When we buy a candy bar, we own the wrapper after the short life of the product; doing something with that branded possession, rather than adding to waste, feels good. Recycling is empowering to consumers and, in the case of traditionally recyclable materials such as glass, paper, rigid plastics and certain metals, economically viable. Recycling not only diverts potentially valuable materials from landfills and incinerators, it also offsets demand for virgin materials, helping to keep carbon in the ground. Recycling aligns human consumption with nature’s activities. But as human-generated waste streams continue to evolve in diversity and volume, the global community faces the mounting challenge of developing viable recycling and waste management solutions at a comparable pace. For example, electronic waste is currently the fastest growing solid waste stream, increasing two to three times faster than other waste streams. More broadly, industrial activities currently generate nearly 7.6 billion tons of solid waste in the US each year - that’s 3000% of the total municipal waste generated by Americans annually. As the world enters the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the ecological implications of not prioritizing sustainable resource management are dire. Economics, not high science, is what determines recyclability: a material is recycled only if one can make money collecting, sorting and recycling it. The environmental and health costs associated with trash are not currently included in the equations. These costs are considered externalities: society as a whole, rather than the manufacturer, retailer or consumer, absorbs those longer-term costs. Since the costs of not recycling are excluded from the value equation, linear disposal methods, such as land-filling and incineration, are the principle waste management options for most post-consumer waste streams. These linear solutions have come to haunt us: islands of plastic in the Pacific have begun to disintegrate, fish are eating the micro particles and humans eat the fish. Only by emulating nature and implementing the circular economy can humans arrest and, in time, reverse this vicious cycle. It is unlikely that manufacturers, retailers or consumers will voluntarily take responsibility for the end-life of their waste unless they are required to bear the cost of solutions for the products and packaging they produce, sell or consume. With varying degrees of success, governments across the world are implementing producer responsibility schemes; most of these, including the well known Green Dot programme in Germany, finance the collection of packaging, with much of the waste being incinerated - not much better than land-filling from an environmental perspective. Recycling is the more expensive option, but as the late, great eco-capitalist Anita Roddick, founder of The Body Shop, posted on the side of her company’s trucks said: “If you think education is expensive, try ignorance.” With evident limitations on what governments can or will realistically do, the impetus falls on the private sector. How can we find ways to provide incentives to cover the costs of collecting and recycling? For the past decade, my company TerraCycle has developed technologies to apply to difficult-to-recycle post-consumer waste streams that usually end up in the trash. Examples are cigarette butts, pens, water filters, used toothbrushes and toothbrush tubes, packaging waste, industrial adhesive containers and even dirty diapers, which have been processed into materials that are used to manufacture new products. Our R&D team is extremely innovative, but our true innovation is finding reasons for brands and manufacturers to justify paying for recycling when they don’t have to. We have found that recycling has become a sufficient priority for consumers, who patronize brands that enable the recyclability of their products and packaging. We have created business models allowing brands to see that incremental spending on recycling will produce incremental ROI; as a result, many waste streams that were previously unrecyclable are now being recycled. To achieve scale and generate efficiencies, we recently partnered with SUEZ, one of the largest waste management companies in the world. Through the deal, SUEZ can bring TerraCycle’s consumer-facing programmes to its customers in France, the UK, Belgium, Finland, the Netherlands and Sweden, and we gain access to perhaps the world’s largest sales force dedicated to the circular economy. Recyclability is among the top purchase drivers for a range of consumer products and consumers around the world today have demonstrated a willingness to pay a premium for sustainable goods and services. We’ve demonstrated that sponsoring recycling can be a pathway to migrate a company’s post-consumer products and packaging from the linear economy to circular economy. While I’m proud of our accomplishments, there remains a huge values-action disparity, or “green-gap,” where changes in consumer attitudes have not yet translated to changes in action. Recycling rates have stagnated in the last decade in relation to the volume of waste produced globally, and while many countries in the developing world work without a formal recycling system, the US still only recycles about 34% of its trash. Recycling almost everything we use is already possible. Consumer buying power, with the right social and political commitments, can drive demand for comprehensive recycling solutions at multiple levels. The scale of the world’s waste problem mandates that everyone in the consumption cycle act together to work towards regenerative, circular solutions that bridge the gap to zero waste.