O “Esquadrão Verde Tang”, uma parceria entre a alimentícia Kraft Foods e a TerraCycle, empresa pioneira em processo de “upcycling” (criação de novos produtos com a valorização visual de embalagens de produtos antigos difíceis de serem recicladas), trouxe um importante processo para reuso de embalagens de refrescos em pó.

Free Collection Program for Schools and Non-Profits Hits Major Milestone in Canada Drink pouches are a popular addition to lunches and can be found in almost every cafeteria and classroom <http://gamutnews.com/20110607/17241/canadian-recycling-brigade-diverts-one-million-drink-pouches.html#>  in Canada. Unfortunately these items cannot be recycled through traditional recycling programs. As of this week, Drink Pouch Brigades across Canada have helped collect more than one million pouches and TerraCycle has contributed over $20,000 to schools <http://gamutnews.com/20110607/17241/canadian-recycling-brigade-diverts-one-million-drink-pouches.html#>  and non-profits!

Drink pouches are a popular addition to lunches and can be found in almost every cafeteria and classroom in Canada. Unfortunately these items cannot be recycled through traditional recycling programs. As of this week, Drink Pouch Brigades across Canada have helped collect more than one million pouches and TerraCycle has contributed over $20,000 to schools and non-profits! Across Canada over 2,700 schools, non-profits and community groups have joined together to help collect the one million pieces. Exactly how much is one million drink pouches? It is enough to cover nine hockey rinks or 33 basketball courts. Students, teachers and community members from almost 3,000 communities across Canada are working together to assure this packaging is no longer waste and can be given new life by TerraCycle. "It gives the students a chance to participate and see results for their actions. We can collect waste and get paid for it," says Sandra Ross, parent volunteer at William S. Patterson P.S. in Clandeboye, Manitoba.

TerraCycle Canada Inc.'s GM Luisa Girotto and communications manager Laurent Cassar (in back) to mark one-million drink pouches donated by Canadians to the North York-based company. Students diverted more than 3,000 drink pouches from landfill and donated them to TerraCycle, which "upcycles" non-recyclable materials into 200 new products.    Staff Photo/TAMARA SHEPHARD Most kids toss their non-recyclable drink pouches in the trash. Dixon Grove Junior Middle School students donate their drink pouches by the thousands to TerraCycle, a North York-based company that repurposes them into fashion bags, tote bags, lunch bags and pencil cases. TerraCycle gives the Etobicoke elementary school $0.02 per pouch, proceeds of which will send students to the Humber Arboretum and the Don Valley Brickworks before the end of the school year.

This school in Souris was the first Manitoba school to join TerraCycle's Brigades and has been tops in collecting drink pouches this year.

THE REVIEW:  nom nom nom.  This is an easy lunch box, soccer practice or in the car snack.  The individual portions help control how much snack is eaten.  Overall, the double chocolate was the favourite (close second: oatmeal chocolate chip).  6% of the daily intake of iron per package along with 2g of fibre.  It is definately a treat - but a safe peanut free indulgence.  Added-Value:  Kraft Canada has partnered with http://www.terracycle.ca/ to "upcycle" the trash from these products.  Schools and groups can collect the packaging and send them to TerraCycle (they get paid about .2 cents per package) - then TerraCycle turns them into a recycled product (bag, pencil case, yoga mat holder, etc...) for re-sale.  = Less landfill waste!