ReNual CEO Alicia Korten interviews Albe Zakes from Terracycle on how the company is turning garbage into gold

FAIRFIELD — Take a peek behind the bright orange, green or yellow wrapping of some colorful potted kalanchoes at the local Raley’s grocery store and you’ll find a butter container. It’s Raley’s — and its sister stores, Nob Hill and Bel Air’s — effort to add additional green into the greenery of the floral department. “The upcycled pots are a more eco-friendly option as they eliminate the need to use virgin plastic,” said Lauren Taylor of Terracycle Inc. in an email.

Trash Tycoon is a green-themed game for Facebook from social gaming startup Guerillapps. The game, which launched this week, teaches players about environmental issues and sustainability while they compete. Trash Tycoon highlights upcycling, the concept of converting trash into new products. Users take on the role of a recycling entrepreneur, collecting trash and finding new environmentally friendly uses for discarded items such as plastic bags or building material. As you complete upcycling tasks, you earn points, money and ultimately the title of “garbage tycoon.”

Marietta Corp. and TerraCycle have partnered on a new recycling program around hotel amenities in which collected containers wouldl be recycled into new products such as hangers, ice buckets and recycling bins to be used in hotel rooms.

Marietta has a strong commitment to green initiatives, and finding a way to reduce plastics and packaging in landfills has been a priority for the company as part of its Social Responsibility Plan, according to the company.

This fall, shoppers in Raley’s floral departments will see something other than the traditional black pots in which flowers are traditionally sold. Clearwater Nursery and TerraCycle will offer annuals in “upcycled” margarine tubs in all Raley’s, Nob Hill and Bel Air stores, including Woodland locations. The upcycled pots are a more eco-friendly option as they eliminate the need to use virgin plastic. The plants were shipped to stores in late August.

This fall, shoppers in Raley’s Supermarkets floral departments will see something other than the traditional black pots in which flowers are traditionally sold. Clearwater Nursery and TerraCycle will offer annuals in upcycled margarine tubs in all Raley’s, Nob Hill and Bel Air stores. The upcycled pots are a more eco-friendly option as they eliminate the need to use virgin plastic. The plants were shipped to stores in late August. TerraCycle collected the I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter!, Brummel and Brown, Shedd’s Spread Country Crock and Imperial tubs through its Brigade program. With support from its partners, such as Unilever, TerraCycle pays all postage and awards two points per unit of packaging which can be put toward charity gifts or converted to money for a charity of the collector’s choice.

Throughout Trash Tycoon, a friendly guide named Tara pops up with tips on how to get more points through "upcycling," turning refuse into useful products. It's an education in wasting less and making more, which just happens to be the business model of TerraCycle , the for-profit company behind Trash Tycoon. When it comes to waste (and worms), Terracycle is an industry leader, in a good way. The spunky fertilizer company has been making a business of refuse for 10 years. They started out turning trash into plant food and have since expanded into making all kinds of products .

Green cleaning leader, and TerraCycle partner, Method, provides a great example of this being a successful model. Though slightly more expensive than a standard cleaner, their high quality and small price premium have made them a massive mainstream success at Target and other major retailers. Now, by introducing a refill pack (which can be recycled for free through a new TerraCycle Brigade) they have driven their cost down while also reducing their packaging weight. They've managed a nifty trifecta: They've made their high-quality product cheaper, reduced their packaging costs, and given shoppers a way to feel good about their green purchases.

Green cleaning leader, and TerraCycle partner, Method, provides a great example of this being a successful model. Though slightly more expensive than a standard cleaner, their high quality and small price premium have made them a massive mainstream success at Target and other major retailers. Now, by introducing a refill pack (which can be recycled for free through a new TerraCycle Brigade) they have driven their cost down while also reducing their packaging weight. They've managed a nifty trifecta: They've made their high-quality product cheaper, reduced their packaging costs, and given shoppers a way to feel good about their green purchases.

When the warranty expires right before your appliance or electronic device does, you might just have to get rid of it. How does a person deal with departed devices and otherwise good garbage? Try these green options: 1. It’s reincarnation for stuff. Field Park School (Western Springs) participates in this mail-in Terracycle program. You send them recyclables and they turn them into new stuff. Ziploc bags, juice pouches and chip bags are among the edible receptacles they turn into collectibles.