Summer is here and it's time for lazy days by the pool, exciting adventures, and just enjoying being a kid! Sometimes, it can be hard to get our kids to eat well during the summer. Between trips to the park, playing in the pool, and time spent traveling, my kids are just too busy to sit down for healthy meals. That's why we try to get as many nutritious snacks as we can into them, so we don't have to worry if they are too busy playing to slow down for lunch! And don't forget to stay hydrated!  My kids love Capri Sun Juice Drinks because they taste good and come in their favorite flavors. As a company, Capri Sun is committed to helping the environment. Since 2008, more than 200 million Capri Sun pouches have been collected through Capri Sun’s partnership with TerraCycle and have been recycled and upcycled into durable goods.

TerraCycle does some great things with recycled chip bags and drink pouches. In fact, you can get back to school supplies that are made out of your favorite food or drink product. This is a great way to keep the waste out of our landfills. The Capri Sun Pencil Pouch is made out of recycled Capri Sun pouches sewn together to form a zippered pencil pouch to hold all of your pencils in for school. The Doritos Spicy Sweet Chili Messenger Bag is made out bag wrappers and is great to put school books in or homework. The strap is adjustable and the bag  is lightweight. There are a variety of other recycled products to choose from. Head on over to TerraCycle to view more products.

TerraCycle is mentioned and pictured in the Trenton "ArtMatters" video, created by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.

SOUTHAVEN – Students and teachers at Sacred Heart School are the top collectors of lunch kits in the Lunch Kit Brigade, a free, national recycling program created by the trademark student lunch and snack company Lunchables Lunch Combinations and New Jersey-based waste recycler TerraCycle. By collecting waste from lunch kits of any brand, the school has helped to divert 5,358 units of lunch kit waste from landfills. After they sign up to join a recycling Brigade, schools earn points for every unit of waste they collect and send to TerraCycle. The points can be redeemed for charitable gifts or a cash donation to the non-profit or school of the collector’s choice. TerraCycle recycles the traditionally non-recyclable lunch kit waste into new products and materials. “We’re very proud of the work that students and teachers at Sacred Heart School have done for this Brigade,” said TerraCycle CEO Tom Szaky. “We love working with Lunchables to celebrate and reward schools doing such great things for the environment.” Any schools or organizations interested in recycling with TerraCycle can learn more about the brigades and sign up for free at www.terracycle.com.

Solorio Elementary School students in Fontana earn money and prizes for their school by collecting and recycling the drink pouches they use at home and in the lunchroom. Solorio's students have just reached the second level of TerraCycle and Capri Sun’s Drink Pouch Brigade milestone contest by collecting more than 18,000 drink pouches. The students have earned more than $2,400 for their school by collecting the drink pouches. The Drink Pouch Brigade is a nationwide free recycling program that rewards people for collecting and sending their waste to TerraCycle to be recycled or upcycled. The Milestone Program began in September of 2013, when Capri Sun added prizes for collecting certain amounts. Now, in addition to the money they earn for each piece of waste collected, participants can win prizes made from recycled drink pouches, such as park benches, recycling bins, a playground, and other fun rewards. To learn more about the program or to sign up, visitwww.terracycle.com. The program is free to any interested organization or individual, and all shipping costs are paid.

Run in partnership with the Terracycle recycling company and Kraft Foods, owner of Capri Sun, the "Drink Pouch Brigade" program awards points to schools that recycle the popular drink pouches, which can then be used to purchase useful, recycled products.

(StatePoint) Everyday choices can affect your family’s health as well as the environment. There’s a growing trend among consumers to make choices reflecting the goals and values that matter to them most.  In fact, two out of five people say they’re more inspired to try a natural product that does something good for themselves, their family and the planet, according to a recent study conducted by Toluna for natural products brand Tom’s of Maine. So where can your family start? Here are a few ideas for easy changes:

The Basics

Starting with the products you use most frequently can be a simple way to shift your choices to a healthier place. Many hygiene products, such as soap, shampoo, and toothpaste use unnecessary chemicals that can be unfriendly to those with sensitive skin or allergies. Natural ingredients work as well or better than the artificial variety, so look for options that don’t rely on dyes, formaldehyde or parabens. Such ingredients directly impact waterways once they go down the drain. More natural options can be kinder to your body and the environment. Cleaning products like floor polish, glass cleaners, and bathroom disinfectants can be harsh. Consider gentler alternatives. Additionally, certain food products contain artificial sweeteners or use pesticides. Try switching to less processed foods and buying organic when possible. Look for locally sourced foods for added freshness and to reduce overall carbon footprint in transit.

Support Sustainable Companies

Companies with smart environmental policies do exist. Do your research and support brands that work to lessen their environmental impact, and take pride in the quality of their ingredients, which should be listed in full on the packaging. Brands like Tom’s of Maine, which makes personal care products like soap, deodorant and toothpaste, as well as others, share their progress in helping the planet by publishing goals and results to the public. The recently released second edition of the Tom’s of Maine Goodness Report details the company’s approach to ingredients, packaging, waste, water, energy, the community, and itsemployees. For example, the company has opted to use steam capturing technology, ultimately reducing water usage. Additionally, cartons used for packaging toothpaste are made of 100 percent recycled paperboard and can be recycled again after use. The company is even looking into future “smart packaging” alternatives, such as biodegradable packaging made of potato starch.

What’s Inside Matters

Are there really wildflowers in your toilet bowl cleaner? Ignore eye-catching packaging and simply read the ingredients. Seek out a list of simple and understandable renewable and naturally-sourced ingredients. And while you’re reading that label, inspect the material on which it’s printed. Minimal packaging made of recyclable materials is ideal. If your town doesn’t take in a wide range of waste for recycling, TerraCycle is an innovative upcycling leader that enlists volunteers to recycle waste to make products such as benches, picnic tables or deck materials, ultimately sending less to landfills. We can all be part of the solution by using greener products. The impact of a few simple changes can have a lasting ripple effect that goes well beyond your home.

(StatePoint) Everyday choices can affect your family’s health as well as the environment. There’s a growing trend among consumers to make choices reflecting the goals and values that matter to them most.  In fact, two out of five people say they’re more inspired to try a natural product that does something good for themselves, their family and the planet, according to a recent study conducted by Toluna for natural products brand Tom’s of Maine. So where can your family start? Here are a few ideas for easy changes:

The Basics

Starting with the products you use most frequently can be a simple way to shift your choices to a healthier place. Many hygiene products, such as soap, shampoo, and toothpaste use unnecessary chemicals that can be unfriendly to those with sensitive skin or allergies. Natural ingredients work as well or better than the artificial variety, so look for options that don’t rely on dyes, formaldehyde or parabens. Such ingredients directly impact waterways once they go down the drain. More natural options can be kinder to your body and the environment. Cleaning products like floor polish, glass cleaners, and bathroom disinfectants can be harsh. Consider gentler alternatives. Additionally, certain food products contain artificial sweeteners or use pesticides. Try switching to less processed foods and buying organic when possible. Look for locally sourced foods for added freshness and to reduce overall carbon footprint in transit.

Support Sustainable Companies

Companies with smart environmental policies do exist. Do your research and support brands that work to lessen their environmental impact, and take pride in the quality of their ingredients, which should be listed in full on the packaging. Brands like Tom’s of Maine, which makes personal care products like soap, deodorant and toothpaste, as well as others, share their progress in helping the planet by publishing goals and results to the public. The recently released second edition of the Tom’s of Maine Goodness Report details the company’s approach to ingredients, packaging, waste, water, energy, the community, and itsemployees. For example, the company has opted to use steam capturing technology, ultimately reducing water usage. Additionally, cartons used for packaging toothpaste are made of 100 percent recycled paperboard and can be recycled again after use. The company is even looking into future “smart packaging” alternatives, such as biodegradable packaging made of potato starch.

What’s Inside Matters

Are there really wildflowers in your toilet bowl cleaner? Ignore eye-catching packaging and simply read the ingredients. Seek out a list of simple and understandable renewable and naturally-sourced ingredients. And while you’re reading that label, inspect the material on which it’s printed. Minimal packaging made of recyclable materials is ideal. If your town doesn’t take in a wide range of waste for recycling, TerraCycle is an innovative upcycling leader that enlists volunteers to recycle waste to make products such as benches, picnic tables or deck materials, ultimately sending less to landfills. We can all be part of the solution by using greener products. The impact of a few simple changes can have a lasting ripple effect that goes well beyond your home.

(StatePoint) Everyday choices can affect your family’s health as well as the environment. There’s a growing trend among consumers to make choices reflecting the goals and values that matter to them most.  In fact, two out of five people say they’re more inspired to try a natural product that does something good for themselves, their family and the planet, according to a recent study conducted by Toluna for natural products brand Tom’s of Maine. So where can your family start? Here are a few ideas for easy changes:

The Basics

Starting with the products you use most frequently can be a simple way to shift your choices to a healthier place. Many hygiene products, such as soap, shampoo, and toothpaste use unnecessary chemicals that can be unfriendly to those with sensitive skin or allergies. Natural ingredients work as well or better than the artificial variety, so look for options that don’t rely on dyes, formaldehyde or parabens. Such ingredients directly impact waterways once they go down the drain. More natural options can be kinder to your body and the environment. Cleaning products like floor polish, glass cleaners, and bathroom disinfectants can be harsh. Consider gentler alternatives. Additionally, certain food products contain artificial sweeteners or use pesticides. Try switching to less processed foods and buying organic when possible. Look for locally sourced foods for added freshness and to reduce overall carbon footprint in transit.

Support Sustainable Companies

Companies with smart environmental policies do exist. Do your research and support brands that work to lessen their environmental impact, and take pride in the quality of their ingredients, which should be listed in full on the packaging. Brands like Tom’s of Maine, which makes personal care products like soap, deodorant and toothpaste, as well as others, share their progress in helping the planet by publishing goals and results to the public. The recently released second edition of the Tom’s of Maine Goodness Report details the company’s approach to ingredients, packaging, waste, water, energy, the community, and itsemployees. For example, the company has opted to use steam capturing technology, ultimately reducing water usage. Additionally, cartons used for packaging toothpaste are made of 100 percent recycled paperboard and can be recycled again after use. The company is even looking into future “smart packaging” alternatives, such as biodegradable packaging made of potato starch.

What’s Inside Matters

Are there really wildflowers in your toilet bowl cleaner? Ignore eye-catching packaging and simply read the ingredients. Seek out a list of simple and understandable renewable and naturally-sourced ingredients. And while you’re reading that label, inspect the material on which it’s printed. Minimal packaging made of recyclable materials is ideal. If your town doesn’t take in a wide range of waste for recycling, TerraCycle is an innovative upcycling leader that enlists volunteers to recycle waste to make products such as benches, picnic tables or deck materials, ultimately sending less to landfills. We can all be part of the solution by using greener products. The impact of a few simple changes can have a lasting ripple effect that goes well beyond your home.