If you don't already know, TerraCycle is an ingenious company! They upcycle trash into fabulous, new products. In doing so, they save some landfill space and pay those that sent the products in. Pretty good deal. Because they are so great, they are sponsoring a giveaway for my lovely readers. One lucky reader will win all of this: This includes: Circuit board coasters Pencil case made out of juice containers Tote bag made of Luna wrappers Spray bottle of Dig Stop for pets Spray bottle of Trash Can Protector

Once in a while, you come across an idea that just makes so much sense that you wonder why it hasn’t been done before.  I had that feeling when I received an email from Emily Bradford-Sytsma, spokesperson for eco-friendly company TerraCycle. <http://www.terracycle.net/> Emily sent me a recycling craft project that uses five empty Colgate® toothpaste tubes to construct this colorful Recycled Toothpaste Tube Toothbrush Holder <http://www.allfreecrafts.com/recycling-crafts/toothbrush-holder.shtml> . But, more than that, she explained the new recycling program at TerraCycle, which provides an opportunity for non-profit organizations to make a little cash, while diverting waste products from the landfill.

By: Tiffany Threadgould, TerraCycle’s Chief Designer Looking for a refreshing alternative to throwing away your toothpaste tubes? This easy do-it-yourself project upcycles your empty tubes into a simple toothbrush holder. Upcycling materials like these are a great way to reuse without costing a mint.

TerraCycle makes eco-friendly products from typically non-recyclable items i.e those awesome CapriSun drink pouches.  So fun to drink from but not so fun to throw away.  (As a wise person once told me…there is no away.  Unless that’s what they’re calling garbage dumps now. ) TerraCycle helps run free collection programs for non-profits & schools (no cost for shipping the trash to TC).  A few things they collect are…. drink pouches, energy bar wrappers, yogurt cups, cookie wrappers, and chip bags.  They pay 2-cents for each piece of trash so volume is a must for any significant fundraiser.  A few things they make are….tote bags, backpacks, lunch boxes and kites.

Terracycle realizes that Moms are the main shoppers, organizers, and most involved in the school activities. Because of this, they have new, Mom focused brigades. Parents want to make their children's world greener.  Unfortunately, daily life can get in the way of that with limited time and budget, but going green doesn't have to be difficult, time-consuming or expensive. In fact, a smart and savvy parent can go green and even earn green at the same time!

Would you ever consider SELLING your trash?   Do you think anyone would ever PAY for it? What if I told you that I found an amazing company that would? Terracycle pays schools, families, and communities to collect non-recyclable waste, which is then upcycled or repurposed to make fun, eco-friendly products like shower curtains, potted plants, and soon, baby bibs and diaper bags!  Amazing!

Well, obviously, Home Grown Families LOVES green!  We love green products, green ideas, green caring, green based in the US, and new green innovative products!  So, again, obviously, we LOVE TerraCycle <http://www.terracycle.net/> !  Have you heard of TerraCycle <http://www.terracycle.net/> , yet?  Chances are, you have seen their green products <http://www.terracycle.net/products>  whether you realized it or not.  I was at Wal-Mart a few months ago and noticed Capri Sun lunch boxes <http://www.terracycle.net/products/195-Capri-Sun-Rectangular-Lunch-Box>  but I didn't know about TerraCycle <http://www.terracycle.net/> , yet.  I went back to check them out and sure enough it was a TerraCycle <http://www.terracycle.net/>  product.

Blount County residents can now recycle items that are normally thought of as unrecyclable. Keep Blount Beautiful is partnering with Terracycle to recycle corks, gum packaging, nutrition bar wrappers and cell phones. TerraCycle makes affordable, eco-friendly products from a wide range of different nonrecyclable waste materials. With over 50 products available at major retailers, TerraCycle is one of the fastest growing eco-friendly manufacturers in the world.

Terracycle <http://terracycle.net> , an upstart up-cycling company that turns packaging material into affordable and high quality items, has teamed up with Malt-O-Meal <http://www.malt-o-meal.com/index_en.php> , the largest family owned cereal company in the U.S. By recycling Malt-O-Meal brand cereal bags through Terracycle's Recycling Brigades <http://www.terracycle.net/brigades> , consumers have the opportunity to create zero (cereal packaging) waste. The Recycling Brigades provide charitable organizations, including schools, an opportunity to help reduce our impact on the environment while earning some extra cash for the charity in exchange for the effort.

Recycling company TerraCycle is making it easy for Americans to start trash cleanup projects. Simply sign up at terracycle.net <http://www.terracycle.net/>  to have collection bags with prepaid return shipping labels mailed to your home or business. Fill them with chip bags, cookie <http://www.naturalhealthmag.com/terracycle_trash_recycle/green_living/191#>  wrappers, drink pouches, and other food-packaging waste and send them back to TerraCycle; the trash will then be “upcycled” into tote bags and pencil cases (you can buy these accessories at Target stores or target.com <http://www.target.com/> ). Thanks to partnerships with food <http://www.naturalhealthmag.com/terracycle_trash_recycle/green_living/191#>  giants like Frito-Lay, Mars, and Nabisco, plus well-known natural brands such as Kashi, Clif Bar, Honest Kids, and Bear Naked, TerraCycle will donate $.02 for every wrapper you collect to the charity of your choice. At the end of last year, volunteers had raised more than $100,000 for public school organizations and groups like the Arbor Day Foundation.