Trenton, New Jersey-based TerraCycle Regulated Waste has launched what it calls an easy-to-use recycling solution for personal protective equipment (PPE), such as single-use gloves and masks, through its line of EasyPak Containers. “Designed as a recycling system for businesses in need of a turnkey solution for hazardous waste disposal, the PPE EasyPack Containers allow property managers to easily recycle used gloves and masks onsite, thereby allowing staff to responsibly dispose of their protective gear instead of tossing items on the ground,” states TerraCycle. The company says it is offering two different types of EasyPak containers: the Disposable Gloves EasyPak Box to recycle vinyl, nitrile and latex gloves; and the Disposable Masks EasyPak Box to recycle surgical and industrial face masks. When full, the boxes can be returned to TerraCycle Regulated Waste for processing so collected materials can be cleaned, melted and remolded to make new products. “In this time of uncertainty, business owners are struggling to preserve their workers’ health and safety, while maintaining their commitment to the environment, but it doesn’t have to be that way,” says Kevin Flynn, global vice president of TerraCycle Operations and director of TerraCycle Regulated Waste. Adds Flynn, “Through the EasyPak recycling program, TerraCycle Regulated Waste offers a convenient way for businesses to ensure the protection of our shared environment while maintaining workplace safety.” The company says EasyPak containers are available for purchase through a reorder subscription program. Boxes with discarded material in them can travel for up to a week before they are received at TerraCycle Regulated Waste facilities, “where additional safety precautions are taken in accordance with CDC recommendations,” states the firm. TerraCycle says the EasyPak program does not accept medical waste or biohazardous materials. More information about TerraCycle’s Regulated Waste Division can be found on this web page.

The purpose of this ongoing series of articles on Climate Connections is to move beyond the arguments around our climate chaos and to find area we can agree on. You may not believe in the climate issues of today … but you may be concerned about the use of plastics and the oceans. You may also be concerned about air and water quality. Whatever you want to call it, the planet needs our stewardship. The writers here will share their perspectives from many angles. Perhaps some or all will resonate with you, and bring to our awareness the necessary actions we can take. We will leave the arguments and differing beliefs to others.   — Marilyn Nyborg   Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle” replaced the former three Rs of “Readin’,‘Ritin’ and ‘Rithmatic.” Thirty years ago we learned about the need to pay attention to what we do with the mounting volumes of trash because California was running out of landfill space.   Our state, country and world economies were on a roll. We were the land of plenty for many people achieving the ‘American Dream’ so we bought plenty. We became the throwaway culture with the rise of plastics in everything. We just kept on rolling despite the warnings of some scientists and environmentalists, now with unintended and unfortunate consequences.   Have a look at “The Story of Stuff,” a short and to-the-point online movie about our consumption-crazed culture for free at https://www.storyofstuff.org/. It gives a quick story of the lifecycle of stuff from fossil fuels and other raw materials to manufacturing and to recyclers and then to the landfill — and how to change our ways. They are now starting a movement to stop plastic pollution by offering a documentary called “The Story of Plastic” to expose the true cost of plastic pollution to human health as well as that of the creatures of the Earth. We can do better, people.   Now it is becoming clear that we have over-extracted and overused our natural resources, to the point of threatening the continued condition of the world, as we have been fortunate to know it. Now we need to resist buying so much stuff made of those precious and becoming scarce natural resources in the first place — not starve our needs, just Resist our desires to have beyond the capacity of the Earth to replenish and give. We can Rethink before buying things in plastic containers, look for alternatives, and take reusable bags along to the store. Find ways to Repurpose and Reuse, which can be quite a creative project to find other ways to use things rather than pitching them. Put people to work to Repair or Recondition things.   There are lots of positive ideas coming on the scene to find ways to utilize our recycled materials, like TerraCycle, an online recycling company committed to zero waste. TerraCycle collects many types of materials, particularly plastics, and creates new products using the Circular Economy concept. Visit https://www.terracycle.com/en-US.   Businesses especially need to Reframe and Redefine their missions to include honoring sustainability and Reduce the use of fossil fuels since they are large emitters of what causes the greenhouse effect that is slowly causing the warming of earth and oceans, which is in turn causing unfortunate effects that cause suffering and loss of life.   Right here, right now — we each can look again critically at our own consumption patterns so we are not just “wish-cyclers.” What would Redefining happiness look like in my life? What changes am I willing to make so the great nature can Renew itself given less demand?   ACTION: Answering these questions is a great way to start making a difference. Then choose one of these environmental Rs to focus on … and go for it. Every day is Earth Day. Enjoy.   Shirley Freriks is part of the new Elders Action Network/Elders Climate Action group in Nevada County. She is intimately connected to nature and holds its well being as a sacred responsibility. For more information, visit http://www.sfclimact@mcn.org

Companies are getting conscious of how sustainable their operations are and how they manage their waste. There are companies that make recycled products or have effective waste management programs in place. One way to manage waste is by using a trash compactor to store more trash in less space.   In this article, we will look at some companies that are championing recycling and sustainability.  

Companies That Focus on Recycling

 

• Accenture

  Accenture has worked towards reducing its environmental footprint per employee. It is promoting sustainable growth, and the company’s top priorities are to reuse, recycle, and manage e-waste efficiently.  

• Intel

  Intel has recycled more than 75% of the total waste generated by its operations since 2008. The company even linked a portion of the employees’ compensation to solid waste recycling metrics in 2013.  

• Estee Lauder

  Estee Lauder is known for minimizing waste and continues to identify new ways to improve recovery. Their manufacturing and distribution facilities have sent zero waste to landfill since 2003. They incinerate non-recyclable waste and convert it into energy.  

• Eaton

  Eaton reduced its waste being sent to landfills by 24.9% since 2015. More than 120 Eaton facilities send zero waste to landfill. It aims to increase the number of sites in the coming years.  

• Texas Instruments

  Texas Instruments invests in reusing or recycling materials across its operations. It aims to reduce the potential environmental impact by sourcing materials responsibly and through efficient waste management.  

Companies Selling 100% Recycled Products

 

• Green Toys

  Green Toys makes toys from recycled milk jugs. So far, they have recycled 55 million jugs since they started the company. As they are kids’ toys, they prioritize safety and ensure that their toys pass domestic and international safety and environmental regulations. They even do sustainable shipping.  

• Allbirds

  They make footwear from 100 percent recycled materials, which include sheep’s wool, recycled cardboard, castor bean oil, and plastic. Allbirds works with sustainable farming and animal welfare groups to ethically source sheep’s wool. They use 60 percent less energy during the manufacturing process, thus making footwear truly sustainable.  

• Rothy’s

  Rothy’s uses recycled plastic to make trendy and stylish shoes for women. They have recycled over 12 million plastic water bottles. The woven plastic look like knitted fabric from a distance, and the plastic helps the shoes feel flexible. The knitted plastic allows for a greater range of movement. Moreover, their packages are reusable.  

• Cotopaxi

  Cotopaxi uses sustainable llama wool and to-be discarded fabric to make outdoor gear and clothing. They use as much fabric as possible instead of discarding it and minimize their overall waste.   Cotopaxi even reserves 2 percent of its total revenue to combat world poverty. They have committed to several causes, such as improving education and healthcare in the poorest regions in the world.  

• TerraCycle

  The way TerraCycle works is pretty straightforward – they collect any type of discarded item and sell it to other companies that collect used goods. TerraCycle has the resources and the network to reuse almost all types of products. If someone is looking to recycle something, they can just type it in the search bar to check if the company is willing to accept it.  

Companies Recycling Their Products

 

• Nike

  Nike is a leading athletic footwear brand in the world. They have a great recycling program. You can put your trainers (not necessarily Nike trainers) into Nike Reuse-A-Shoe collection point at certain Nike stores.   Then, they will separate the rubber, foam, textile, and leather components and turn them into granules. These are then used to make new footwear, clothing, or playground surfaces.  

• Lush and The Body Shop

  Both these brands, Lush and The Body Shop, have similar ‘Return and Win’ programs.   If you return Lush’s five cosmetic black pots, you will receive a free face mask. Then, the pots will be ground down and turned into new packaging.   In the case of The Body Shop, if you return five of its empty bottles or tubes, you will receive a  cash reward.  

• MAC

  Most of your make-up is from MAC? Then take advantage of their Back-to-MAC scheme. If you return six primary packaging containers from MAC to one of its make-up counters, you get a free lipstick of your choice.  

• Tesco

  You can earn Tesco Clubcard points by returning empty inkjet printer cartridges or donating to Tesco Charity Partners. Though all inkjet printer cartridges are accepted, only certain types are eligible to earn Clubcard points.   These are just some recycling company names, but there are many more who are following the lead. This will definitely benefit our planet and future generations.

  NEEDHAM, MASS. — Guardian Pet Food Company has introduced its first two product lines for dogs:  freeze-dried food bars and freeze-dried, limited-ingredient treats.   NOBL Canine Food Bars are designed for convenient, on-the-go feeding. They offer high digestibility and each of the complete-and-balanced formulas contain 22 ingredients.   “We offer them individually wrapped for people on the go and as an everyday feeding option in our 10 bar bulk bags,” explained Ryan Yamka, co-founder, chief operating officer and executive vice president of research and development at Guardian Pet Food Company.   “…you simply give them the bar, no bowl or rehydration required,” Yamka added. “We combine the benefits of kibble (easy storage and doesn’t take up fridge/freezer space) with the benefits of raw (no heat processing).”   The beef and chicken formula features beef, chicken, beef liver and chicken liver as the main animal-based ingredients. The turkey and duck formula includes turkey, duck, turkey heart and turkey liver. Both meat-inclusive formulas feature chickpeas, sweet potatoes and ground flaxseed following the main animal-based ingredients on the label.   NOBL’s treat products feature freeze-dried bits of diced animal meat, heart and liver. The treats are available in three meat-inclusive formulas — beef, turkey and chicken — as well as one vegan formulation. The vegan treats contain sliced carrots, diced sweet potatoes and green beans.   Later this fall, NOBL’s Canine Food Bar line will include a vegan option specifically formulated to include additional sources of calcium, taurine and carnitine.   “For our vegan meal bar, the challenge was making sure it was aligned with the meat bar portfolio from a nutrient and digestibility standpoint,” Yamka said. “We did a lot of homework to get it right.”   Guardian Pet Food conducts third-party digestibility studies for all NOBL complete-and-balanced formulas. Total digestibility for its beef and chicken Canine Food Bars is 90.1%, and digestibility for its turkey and duck formula comes in at 90.3%.   These digestibility studies are conducted for 10 days, with the first five days facilitating a proper transition to the product and the last five days for fecal collection and analysis. This process measures total tract digestibility, as well as protein, fat and energy, Yamka said.   “… all the analyticals and digestibility results will be on our website for everyone to see,” Yamka explained. “We believe in 100% transparency and education so consumers can make their own decisions.”   Additionally, NOBL products are eligible for recycling through TerraCycle. Consumers can download and print a free TerraCycle label from Guardian Pet Food’s website, which can then be applied to NOBL packaging and recycled accordingly.   The NOBL brand was first unveiled at Global Pet Expo in February 2020. The brand began shipping its products to distributors and retailers this month, according to Yamka.   Yamka said the company is currently developing additional products, including more meal bars for dogs, cat food products and liquid bone broth supplements. He reported the bone broth supplements will be released in September 2020 under the Dog Almighty Elixirs brand.   NOBL currently distributes in the United States and Canada, and is developing additional distribution partnerships, Yamka said.   Guardian Pet Food Company was founded in 2017.   Read more about new pet food and treat products.

NOW® founder Elwood Richard believed that high-quality health products should be affordable for everyone, a core ideal that the Richard family has adhered to in shaping company policies for over 50 years. As the largest independent and family-owned manufacturer of natural products in the U.S. health food store channel, the company remains dedicated to its mission to provide value in products and services that empower people to lead healthier lives.   NOW’s wide range of products include dietary supplements, herbs, pet supplements, personal care, essential oils, sports nutrition, sweeteners and natural foods. According to SPINS data for the period ending 4/19/20, NOW is the #2 overall Supplement brand, #1 in Amino Acids, #1 in Carrier Oils, #1 in Diffusers, #1 in Essential Oils, and #1 in Miscellaneous supplements (CoQ10, ALA, etc.). In 2019 NOW acquired another family-owned and operated business with a similar mission, the SuperNutrition supplement company, which offers a unique brand of multi-vitamin skus that are high potency, scientifically formulated and targeted by need. NOW operates a cutting-edge manufacturing facility and a separate distribution facility in Bloomingdale, Illinois, a manufacturing and distribution center in Sparks, Nevada, and a manufacturing facility in Ontario, Canada. Their in-house labs and testing capabilities are second to none in the dietary supplements industry.   NOW’s quality processes are confirmed by multiple third party quality and purity certifications. All NOW® Solutions personal care products are UL® (Underwriters Laboratories) ISO 22716:2007 certified for production and quality control of cosmetic products made at both the Bloomingdale, Illinois and Sparks, Nevada facilities. ISO 22716 is an internationally recognized standard with requirements for the production, control, storage and shipment of cosmetic products. NOW® Solutions products and essential oils are also certified cruelty free through the PETA Beauty Without Bunnies program.   NOW® Sports products, with the distinctive silver label, undergo third-party certification though Informed-Sport, a globally-recognized assurance program that certifies that each and every batch of a supplement bearing the Informed-Sport logo has been tested for banned substances by a world-class sports anti-doping lab.   NOW’s goal is for 100% of its products to contain only non-GMO ingredients. The entire food line is GMO-free, with the majority Non-GMO Project Verified. All of NOW’s essential oils are also Non-GMO Project Verified. A very high percentage of NOW supplements are Non-GMO Assured, which is NOW’s active process for defining non-GMO products and defined by stringent NOW quality standards, which involves a combination of documentation and testing.   NOW has received many awards for its products, domestic and international business growth, employee programs, and philanthropic and environmental initiatives. The National Association for Business Resources has named NOW one of “Chicago’s Best and Brightest Companies to Work For®” for 12 consecutive years, a “Best and Brightest Companies to Work for in the Nation” for seven consecutive years, and one of “The Nation’s Best and Brightest in Wellness®” three times.   NOW’s partnership with TerraCycle diverts flexible packaging including toothpaste tubes and food pouches from landfills. Consumers will be able to ship these items at no charge to TerraCycle for recycling.   NOW offers many services to help retailers build business, including a comprehensive online training program and an array of free tools designed to help them be more successful. The online retailer training program, NOW® Product-ology, is designed to create experts in the aisle. Retail staff can watch quick and informative training videos, test their progress with quizzes, and earn free NOW products and a completion certificate. Monthly webinars are led by NOW’s nutritionist staff or expert guest speakers.   Association memberships: NPA, AHPA, UNPA, CFH, ABC, NPF.   With over 1,400 products in its catalog including dietary supplements, personal care, essential oils, sports nutrition, foods, including a certified gluten-free line, NOW remains a health food channel anchor. Product categories include:   • Vitamins and Minerals, Amino Acids and Free Radical Scavengers • Heart, Metabolic, Immune and Digestive Support Supplements • Green Foods, Fiber and Herbs • Joint Comfort and Joint Structural Support Products • Men’s, Women’s and Children’s Specialty Supplements • Sports Nutrition, Weight Management and Protein • Essential Oils, Personal Care, and Skin Care • Mental Fitness and Cognitive Support • Omega-3, Nutritional Oils and EFAs • Non-GMO Foods, Gluten-Free and Allergy-Friendly Foods, Gourmet Oils, Sweeteners • Pet Supplements   Contact Information NOW Corporate Office 244 Knollwood Drive Bloomingdale, IL 60108 Tel.: (630)545-9098, (800)999-8069 Fax: (800)886-1045 sales@nowfoods.com www.nowfoods.com Founded: 1968   Key Personnel Jim Emme, CEO Andy Kotlarz, CFO Aaron Secrist, Vice President of NOW Health Group Quality and Regulatory Affairs Dan Richard, Vice President of NOW Health Group Global Sales and Marketing Rick Sharpee, Ph.D., Director of Science & Nutrition

Henkel is transitioning to fully recyclable toothpaste tubes for their entire oral care portfolio by early 2021. The German consumer goods company said that the move supports their sustainable packaging target of reaching 100% recyclability by 2025.   The classic toothpaste tubes that consumers use by the millions daily have a multi-layer construction that makes the packaging difficult for recycling facilities to process, according to Henkel. In response, the company plans to use technology from their packaging supplier Albéa that allows the tubes to be fully recyclable.   Both the Association of Plastic Recyclers in the United States and Suez. Circpack in Europe recognize Albéa’s Greenleaf tubes as recyclable within existing HDPE bottles recycling streams, Henkel said. Albéa’s process is proprietary, but Henkel did say that the technology for making tubes uses a single-blown film that significantly reduces the carbon dioxide footprint of the packaging.   Spanish toothpaste brand Licor del Polo will have the first fully recyclable tubes with the rest of the oral care brands transitioning by the start of next year, Henkel said.   The switch to Greenleaf tubes allows more than 700 tons of packaging material to be utilized and recovered by waste recycling streams annually, according to Philippe Blank, head of packaging sustainability at Henkel Beauty Care.   Beyond rolling out the recyclable tubes, Henkel and Albéa said they are working together on addressing other aspects of toothpaste packaging. “We have a clear goal: Together we want to launch the world’s first full HDPE tube in 2021, which will then include the cap as well,” Blank said.   Initiatives to keep toothpaste packaging out of landfills have increased over the past few years. In 2018, Colgate and TerraCycle launched a UK program for consumers to recycle oral care products and packaging, regardless of brand. More recently Colgate introduced a fully recyclable tube made from HDPE for its Tom’s of Maine brand in the United States and a new line called Smile for Good in Europe.

Cult French clean skincare brand Caudalie has officially the opened the doors to its first Canadian flagship Boutique Spa in Toronto.   Called the Caudalie Hazelton House, the new 1,100 square foot boutique (located in Yorkville) includes a retail space as well as a spa that will offer a full range of Vinothrapie treatments. Given that the province is still currently in phase two of reopening, facial treatments are currently unavailable (these will be available for booking when Toronto enters phase three), however body treatments can be booked immediately. There are social distancing measurements in place, including allowing clients to use the skin scanner tool whilst guided by a therapist to analyze their skin needs and be given a personalized regimen, as well as the wearing of masks by staff and clients during treatments.   Design elements in the boutique have been inspired by vineyards in the brand’s home of Bordeaux, including a grapevine chandelier, white oak wine barrel merchandising fixtures and marble inspired by the tiles from the brand’s first spa. Plus, the brand has partnered with TerraCycle to recycle empty Caudalie products from consumers and keep waste to a minimum.   Speaking of the boutique’s opening, Caudalie’s co-founder Mathilde Thomas said, “Opening a flagship location in Toronto is an important milestone for Caudalie, one that we’ve been looking forward to for a while. The history, culture and energy of Toronto excited us to connect with this beautiful city, share our brand story and immerse Toronto into the DNA of Caudalie.”   After months of working from home, there’s probably never been a better time to book yourself in for a little (or a lot of) pampering.   To book your appointment, visit caudalie.ca or call 437 215 1267.

The Venetian Resort expands Sands ECO360 recycling efforts as the first Las Vegas-based property, and one of the first in the nation, to develop an innovative program to recycle surgical face masks, which are being used by guests and Team Members as part of the resort’s Venetian Clean initiatives. As part of this pilot project, in partnership with TerraCycle, the discarded masks are collected on-site at The Venetian Resort and sent to a recycling facility where they are separated, shredded and densified into a crumb-like raw material.  This material will be used to make repurposed products such as composite lumber for shipping pallets, railroad ties and composite decking.   “Our responsibility to the planet is one of our company’s core values,” stated George Markantonis, president and COO of The Venetian Resort Las Vegas. “Our Sands ECO360 global sustainability initiative was designed to help minimize our environmental impact, and it reflects our vision as a leader in sustainable resort operations. We continue our journey to a more sustainable future as we seek innovative environmental solutions.”   “At TerraCycle, our mission has always been to eliminate waste, recycle the unrecyclable and use our innovative business solutions to minimize human impact on the planet,” said TerraCycle Founder and CEO Tom Szaky. “It’s through partnerships like the one we enjoy with The Venetian Resort that allows us to fulfill our objective and help preserve the environment for future generations.”   Since re-opening in June, The Venetian Resort began diverting discarded surgical face masks from other waste being sent to landfills, through an industry-leading trash-sorting initiative that takes place on property. In addition to this program, the resort actively sorts its trash, diverting 27 types of items that would otherwise be sent to landfills. Through this program, between 55-60 percent of waste is diverted from local landfills, a number that far surpasses the national average of 32 percent, or the state average of 23 percent. “As a company that has put sustainability in the forefront of our operation, it was important to find a recycling solution for this PPE, to avoid sending them to our landfills,” continued Markantonis.   This project, part of the company’s Sands ECO360 initiative, will help provide “proof of concept” for such recycling, to encourage others to replicate the program. Currently, consumer masks are not recycled through main-stream or curbside recycling programs, due to the complexity of the recycling process.  Surgical face masks are made of a multitude of materials, and need to be sorted and separated before recycling.  In addition a magnet is used to separate the metal nose strips, which can melted and utilized in other recycled materials.  

For more information, visit venetian.com or www.terracycle.com.

The Venetian Resort is expanding Sands ECO360 recycling efforts as the first Las Vegas-based property, and one of the first in the nation, to develop a program to recycle surgical face masks, which are being used by guests and team members as part of the resort’s Venetian Clean initiatives.   As part of this pilot project, in partnership with TerraCycle, the discarded masks are collected on-site at The Venetian Resort and sent to a recycling facility where they are separated, shredded and densified into a crumb-like raw material.  This material will be used to make repurposed products such as composite lumber for shipping pallets, railroad ties and composite decking.   “Our responsibility to the planet is one of our company’s core values,” stated George Markantonis, president and COO of The Venetian Resort Las Vegas, in a statement. “Our Sands ECO360 global sustainability initiative was designed to help minimize our environmental impact, and it reflects our vision as a leader in sustainable resort operations. We continue our journey to a more sustainable future as we seek innovative environmental solutions.”   “At TerraCycle, our mission has always been to eliminate waste, recycle the unrecyclable and use our innovative business solutions to minimize human impact on the planet,” said TerraCycle Founder and CEO Tom Szaky. “It’s through partnerships like the one we enjoy with The Venetian Resort that allows us to fulfill our objective and help preserve the environment for future generations.”   Since re-opening in June, The Venetian Resort began diverting discarded surgical face masks from other waste being sent to landfills, through an industry-leading trash-sorting initiative that takes place on property.   In addition to this program, the resort actively sorts its trash, diverting 27 types of items that would otherwise be sent to landfills. Through this program, between 55-60 percent of waste is diverted from local landfills, a number that far surpasses the national average of 32 percent or the state average of 23 percent.   “As a company that has put sustainability in the forefront of our operation, it was important to find a recycling solution for this PPE, to avoid sending them to our landfills,” continued Markantonis.   This project, part of the company’s Sands ECO360 initiative, will help provide “proof of concept” for such recycling, to encourage others to replicate the program. Currently, consumer masks are not recycled through main-stream or curbside recycling programs due to the complexity of the recycling process. Surgical face masks are made of a multitude of materials and need to be sorted and separated before recycling.  In addition, a magnet is used to separate the metal nose strips, which can be melted and utilized in other recycled materials.   For more information, visit Venetian.com.

OCEAN CITY, Md. (WJZ) — Visitors in Ocean City, Maryland will notice something unique about four brand new benches.   The benches, three of which are located on the Boardwalk and the other at Seacrets, are made from recycled cigarette butts.   The benches were created as a result of the Ocean City Green Team’s Cigarette Litter Prevention Program which was created last year.   The program encourages businesses, visitors and residents to dispose of their cigarette butts and cigar tips properly, while aiming to reduce secondhand smoke. According to Keep America Beautiful, the nation’s largest organization aimed at eliminating cigarette litter and a co-funder of CLPP, cigarette butts remain the most littered item in the U.S. and across the globe.   In 2019, CLPP began a campaign where “butt huts” were made available to businesses willing to take a pledge of participation and assist with collecting cigarette waste throughout Ocean City.   The huts were installed in busy areas that routinely saw concentrated cigarette waste. When full the huts were emptied by volunteers and interns and sent to international recycling leader TerraCycle, who recycled the cigarette butts and used the resulting plastic to manufacture the new benches.