Two local businesses are joining in an effort that allows people to recycle products that aren’t generally accepted — flip flops and writing utensils, that is. Old Navy will accept the old flip flops through May 21 and Office Depot will take any brand of used pens, markers or mechanical pencils through April 23. Both of the Edwardsville Crossing stores are working with Terracycle Inc., an international recycle that items nobody else will and turns them into affordable, eco-friendly products.

Old Navy and TerraCycle Partner in “The Flip Flop Replay” Program Recycles Flip Flops to Build Community Playgrounds WHAT: In an effort to further reduce waste, TerraCycle Inc. and Old Navy are partnering in a month-long drive to collect used flip flops and recycle them into four public playgrounds around the country. The community is encouraged to participate by stopping by an Old Navy store to deposit used flip flops in designated collection bins. This is the first time a nationwide retailer has initiated a large-scale effort to collect and recycle flip flops.

Readers can participate in nationwide recycling programs this month by bringing used pens and flip-flops to area Office Depot and Old Navy locations. Between April 17 and 23, shoppers can bring in 10 used pens, markers or mechanical pencils to Office Depot and receive a coupon toward new Sanford products (maker of Sharpie, Expo, PaperMate). The used writing instruments will be sent to TerraCycle to be recycled into new office products such as trash cans and desk organizers. Office Depot has stores in St. Charles and Algonquin.

As an Earth Day promotion, Office Depot and Old Navy will be taking used pens and old flip-flops, respectively, to be recycled into trash cans, desk organizers and playgrounds. Through Saturday, shoppers can bring in 10 used pens, markers or mechanical pencils to Office Depot and receive a coupon toward new Sanford products such as Sharpie, Expo or PaperMate. And from Friday, which is Earth Day, to May 21, Old Navy shoppers can deposit their used flip-flops in collection bins at stores. New Jersey-based Terra-Cycle will recycle the used items. Several schools and community groups in Charleston are involved in TerraCycle's free recycling fundraisers, which pay two cents for every piece of used packaging returned. Learn more at www.terracyle.net.

Solo Cup Company announced it is joining forces with TerraCycle®, Inc. to recycle its Solo Squared® party cups.  Through the Solo Cup Brigade <http://topics.sacbee.com/Brigade/> ®, individuals, schools and non-profits can collect used Solo Squared plastic cups and return them to TerraCycle where they will be recycled into plastic that will be used to make other items such as equipment for playgrounds, park benches and outdoor furniture.

Recycle: Bring used writing instruments, regardless of brand, to Office Depot at 4297 Meridian St. in Bellingham. They will be sent to TerraCycle Inc. and turned into new office-supply products such as trash cans and desk organizers. The collection runs through Saturday, April 23. People who bring in 10 pens, pencils or markers will receive a coupon toward a new product from Sanford, a pen company.

Solo Cup Company announced it is joining forces with TerraCycle(R), Inc. to recycle its Solo Squared(R) party cups. Through the Solo Cup Brigade(R), individuals, schools and non-profits can collect used Solo Squared plastic cups and return them to TerraCycle where they will be recycled into plastic that will be used to make other items such as equipment for playgrounds, park benches and outdoor furniture.

Walmart will soon begin to sell plants in upcycled margarine tubs instead of traditional black pots in stores throughout the Northeast. Credit: TerraCycle

We all have them. A collection of pens and markers that don't work anymore. Many people just throw them away. This year, in celebration of Earth Day, TerraCycle and Office Depot have a better solution. You can take your old pens, markers and mechanical pencils to local Office Depot for recycling. You will receive a coupon towards a new Sanford product which can be used for a new Sharpie, Expo or PaperMate. It will help the earth and you will get a discount, too. This offer runs during Earth Week from April 17th to the 23rd. You can take any pen, marker or mechanical pencil to receive the coupon regardless of brand.

TerraCycle is an international upcycling company that takes difficult to recycle packaging and turns it into affordable, eco-friendly products.  Founded in 2001, they are the world’s leader in the collection and reuse of non-recyclable post-consumer waste. TerraCycle works with over 30 major brands in the U.S. (and in a growing number of other countries) to collect used packaging and products (chip bags, candy wrappers, juice pouches, pens, toothbrushes, etc.) that would otherwise be destined for landfills. Here are a few of their programs if you are interested in learning more about how YOU can reduce your carbon footprint and upcycle your trash!