A new collaboration between Kennebunk-based Tom's of Maine and the recycling venture TerraCycle asks customers to squeeze even more out of each tube of toothpaste.   In a press release from the company, packaging from Tom's line of personal care products can be sent to TerraCycle, a task that can earn recyclers points to be contributed toward charity gifts or converted to cash to support any school or nonprofit organization.   TerraCycle's programs form "brigades" geared at collecting a specific range of products that can then be recycled or "upcycled" and reused. Shipping costs for sending in the used product packaging to TerraCycle is pre-paid.   For the top recyclers through the Tom's of Maine brigade between now and Nov. 30, the company is offering an extra $1,000 to be donated to the nonprofit or school of the winner's choice.

Oral care products, such as toothbrushes and toothpaste tubes, can seem nearly impossible to recycle. After all, how would a recycler remove all of that extra toothpaste from the tube or dissasemble a toothbrush for recycling? Let’s take a closer look at this recycling mystery to get the low-down on how to keep our pearly whites healthy without contributing to landfill waste.

Can I recycle my toothbrush and toothpaste tubes?

Answer: Yes.

How oral care products are recycled

Oral care products and packaging vary greatly by material and can include different numbered plastics, along with aluminum, steel and nylon. In most cases, each of these components must be processed separately – meaning a tricky job for recyclers.

Last week I was on my way into the Phillies game… and RIGHT before they searched my bag, I blew out my flip flop… just like Jimmy Buffet once did. After mourning my beloved Havvies (and darting to the Clubhouse store to purchase a pair of Phillies Flippy Floppies), my next dilemma was where to recycle my flip flops.   Good news… Terracycle has partnered with Old Navy for a Flip Flop Brigade recycling program. For every 25 pairs of flip flops sent, you’ll receive coupons for Old Navy. It’s as easy as downloading a prepaid shipping label from Terracycle and dropping off at a UPS location. Don’t have 25 flip flops? There’s a guide to holding a successful drive on Terracycle’s website. Or, you can recycle other types of shoes like boots, sneakers, pumps and more in thePaired Shoe Brigade program. (Good news for me – I just did some fall cleaning and have quite a few pairs for Terracycle!)

New Campaign Pledges Up to $100,000 to Boys & Girls Clubs of America

  MADISON, Wis., Aug. 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Lunchables Lunch Combinations team is challenging America to help all kids have the opportunity to "Never Be Bored Again."  Today, the brand partnered with actress and celebrity mom, Tori Spelling, to launch a national campaign that will fund up to $100,000 to Boys & Girls Clubs of America and their sport and recreation programs.   Spelling and the Lunchables team invite families to capture photos of boredom-busting activities and share them by visiting the "Never Be Bored Again" application at Facebook.com/Lunchables. Every photo that's uploaded from today through October 15, 2012, will generate a $1 donation to Boys & Girls Clubs across America, up to $100,000, to help amp up the fun.  After uploading their photo, consumers will receive a $1-off coupon for new Lunchables with Smoothie, while supplies last.

Students send their used supplies to TerraCycle, Inc. instead of to landfills. TerraCycle uses the items to create trash cans, watering cans, park benches, playgrounds, and other products that are sold at stores like Walmart and Whole Foods Market. In turn, every object students collect earns points toward a donation to the school or a charity. Nearby TerraCycle participants include Blair Mill Elementary School, Pennypack Elementary School, and Upper Moreland Intermediate School in Hatboro; Enfield Elementary School in Oreland; Epiphany of Our Lord School in Plymouth Meeting; and Robbins Park Environmental Education Center, Mattison Avenue Elementary School, Shady Grove Elementary School, and Lower Gwynedd Elementary School in Ambler. Art teacher Mary Arbuckle is the coordinator for Blair Mill and Pennypack. “I…thought it would [be] great to encourage all of my students to start collecting juice pouches to send to [TerraCycle],” Arbuckle explains via email. The schools have added glue sticks, laptops, computer mice, cell phones, candy wrappers, Lunchables, chip bags, energy bars, old shoes, and more to their collections. The approximately 750 children from Blair Mill and Pennypack are very involved in the TerraCycle process. Teachers, staff, and children collect items at home and at school, and students “sort items to be shipped to [TerraCycle]….They are also using their imaginations and [coming] up with their own ideas for reusing items instead of throwing items away,” Arbuckle says.

While most of his peers were at the library, or the bar, college freshmen Tom Szaky was busy launching a business out of his dorm room. For his first product he turned worm-poop into fertilizer as a way to transform waste into something useful. Since then he’s turned that first product into a multi-million dollar business Terracycle, with clients including Walmart and Home Depot. Inspiyr spoke with Tom about the mission of Terracycle, his favorite type of trash, and some advice for budding entrepreneurs or anyone looking to achieve their dreams.

Something has been eating at me lately. Every time that I go to a sporting event, a school function or an event at work, I am disappointed to see how many water bottles and soda cans end up in the trash can. I will walk around moving them into the recycle bin and when others see me do this they sometimes start to do it as well, but something has to be done to get more people on board and put items in the proper containers. One problem is that often the recycle containers are poorly marked and another is that there are just too few recycle bins available. I know that putting an end to using bottles and cans for soft drinks and water is not going to stop. Although I do see more and more people carrying their reusable and refillable containers, there are just many occasions when it is too convenient to use bottle water, etc… So at least recycle the containers! As concerned Green Parents we need to talk to our children, our school officials, our parks and recs employees, office employees, etc… and educate on the importance of recycling. Two of Go Green America TV’s  favorite sources for recycling information and resources are Busch Systems and Terra Cycle.

1 CowPots: One cow can produce about 120 pounds of manure a day, creating a huge carbon footprint. But clever Connecticut farmers found a great solution for recycling great amounts of waste: making plant pots. No, they're not stinky, but they do release nitrogen as they break down in the ground. They're available in sets of 3-, 4-, 5- and 6-inch square and round pots, as well as six-cell flats. A dozen 4-inch pots cost $9.94 from www.greenhousecatalog.com. See www.cowpots.com for other retailers. 4 Coir Pot: Round and square pots made of coconut husk fiber are available at some garden centers. A dozen TerraCycle 6-inch coir pots cost $24 online.

After a sensational summer, heading back to school may seem like a drag to some kids. Or perhaps your little one is excited to experience the monumental milestone of her first day of school this fall! You can help your children get revved up to hear the inaugural school bell ring by taking them shopping for fun, eco-friendly school supplies. By ‘going green,’ your kids will learn the vital lesson to preserve our planet for future generations of pupils. Additionally, opting for PVC free supplies will keep them safe from harmful toxins. Crack open your recycled paper notebook and jot down these great green must-haves for the school year! 9. Terra Cycle Recycled Waste Products What: Recycled materials made into pencil cases, backpacks, binders, folders, art supplies. Why: Using previously non-recyclable or hard-to-recycle waste, Terra Cycle transforms this waste into a variety of school products. Individuals can send in their waste free of charge and Terra Cycle recycles it into useful and eco-friendly products.