As we learn more and more about the environment and how we affect it, we must continue to look for ways to help protect our world’s future. Future generations are dependant on our ability to maintain or improve the land, water and air we inhabit. Recycling is a big part of that, and becoming more aware of different forms of recycling can be our next step. Composting has become a new trend that has helped save our fragile eco-system. Another recent trend has been TerraCycling, or upcycling. Using food wrappers and other packaging to create something new, instead of clogging up our landfills is a point of focus for TerraCycle. They also utilize plastics that aren’t easily recyclable, such as plastic, disposable cups.

With Cinco de Mayo only a few days away, what better way to celebrate this major Mexican holiday than enjoying a few delicious Mexican dishes, a Margarita and help to save the environment at the same time? TerraCycle, a company that up-cycles and recycles food wrappers and other waste into bright backpacks, plant-grow kits, even mini-speakers, has partnered with Mission Foods to collect the usually non-recyclable wrappers from tortillas, chips, and other food products and recycle them. Schools and community groups in the Shore Region can continue recycling even after Cinco de Mayo by forming a TerraCycle Brigade, which would collect packaging, send it to TerraCycle and, in turn, receive two cents per item for its charity of choice. With Mission and TerraCycle, kids and parents alike can indulge in healthy food while taking care of their environment.

Trenton-based TerraCycle is pairing with Mission Foods to collect and recycle that brand’s tortilla and chip wrappers, which are usually thought of as non-recyclable. To that end, Mission Foods has come with some great Cinco de Mayo recipes that you can make at home. Then you can send off the packaging to TerraCycle, who will use them to make some of their wonderful products. TerraCycle makes it easy. After you’ve made any (or all) of these recipes, save the Mission wrappers. Go to the TerraCycle website, (www.terracycle.net), and sign up and find the Brigade for Mission Foods Tortilla and Tostada Bags. Print out the shipping label and send off the wrappers to TerraCycle. And have a happy Cinco de Mayo!

TerreCycle and Mission Foods have partnered to make Cino de Mayo delicious and 'green.' Families can celebrate by cooking amazing food with recipes from Mission Foods that feature ingredients with packaging that can be recycled into eco-friendly products and while earning money for their favorite charity. How it works “After feasting on treats such as Mango Tango Dip and Chicken Fajitas, the packaging can be sent to TerraCycle, a company which upcycles and recycles food wrappers and other waste into bright backpacks, plant grow kits, and even mini speakers. With Mission and TerraCycle, kids and parents alike can indulge in healthy food while taking care of their environment.” Recycling can continue long after the celebrations are over. Schools and community groups can form a TerraCycle Brigade which collects packaging and sends it to TerraCycle. Each piece received will earn two cents for the groups charity of choice.

On May 5, we will celebrate Cinco de Mayo and … recycling!  How could the two meet in green happiness?  TerraCycle, has partnered with Mission Foods to collect the usually non-recyclable wrappers from tortillas, chips, and other food products and recycle them. TerraCycle publicist Megan Yarnall explained, “After feasting on Chicken Fajitas, the packaging can be sent to TerraCycle, a company which upcycles and recycles food wrappers and other waste into bright backpacks, plant grow kits, and even mini speakers. With Mission and TerraCycle, New Hampshire children and parents alike can indulge in healthy food while taking care of their environment.  Schools and community groups in Manchester and the surrounding areas can continue recycling even after Cinco de Mayo by forming a TerraCycle Brigade which collects packaging and sends it to TerraCycle to receive two cents per item for their charity of choice.“

Cinco de Mayo is right around the cornor, Monroe! The Mexican holiday is all about feasting on spicy and tangy dishes as well as dancing to vibrant melodies. This is the perfect opportunity to prepare and enjoy some new meals that are loaded with spicy flavor. Spice up your menu and try the following meal ideas that a good friend of mine from Mission Foods has shared with me for celebrating Cinco de Mayo:

The other day I was led to website that absolutely blew my mind.  Let me preface by saying that being “green”, when it comes to the environment, is something I’ve skimped on to say the least.  The website in questions is www.terracycle.net and they will take your used, non-recyclable wrappers from chips and tortillas and indeed, recycle them.  With Earth Day and Cinco de Mayo right around the corner, TerraCycle’s wonderful recycling program has hit full swing. Megan Yarnall from TerraCycle along with Mission Products were kind enough to supply me with recipes that I tried personally and the results were stupendous.  With a maximizing effort to keep our environment around for a long time, these recipes are conducive for a “green” diet.  All products used are approved with TerraCycle and can be returned for recycling!

  To help celebrate Earth Month, Earth Day, Easter and Cinco de Mayo, TerraCycle is launching several campaigns that put a new spin on recycling, making it more creative then ever and easy for everyone to get involved. On April 11, TerraCycle will join with the Garnier Brand to provides the first comprehensive solution for all cosmetic packaging waste. Billions of pieces of waste are expected to be collected by Garnier which will dramatically reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills.  Through the sponsorship of worldwide Cosmetics Brigade, cosmetic packaging will be collected and shipped to a TerraCycle facility. All kinds of cosmetic waste that would otherwise end up in our trash can now be recycled or reused. This is huge. Not too long ago I was discussing reusing and recycling cosmetic waste. Now Garnier and TerraCycle offer a fabulous solution.

Tortilla and tostadas in low-density polyethylene (LDPE) plastic bags from brands such as Gruma Corp.’s Mission and Guerrero, which bag their tortillas and tostadas in low-density polyethylene (LDPE) plastic film, are being “upcycled” via the services of New Jersey-based TerraCycle, which will reclaim the tortilla packaging and use it to make new tortilla holders and other consumer products. It will also collect packaging from the companies' dips and salsas.

Mission Foods has partnered with Trenton, New Jersey-based upcycling firm TerraCycle to recover and reuse the steady stream of plastic foods bags and metal lids the tortilla giant produces. Mission packages its tortillas and tostadas in LDPE plastic, a material that typically don't make their way into recycling streams. Under TerraCycle Tortilla and Tostada Bag Brigade program, any individual or organization can collect and return Mission packaging, which will be upcycled by TerraCycle into new items like tortilla warmers, bags and accessories.