A new show on the Pivot network titled “Human Resources” is putting a whole new meaning to trashy television. The “reality docu-drama” will focus on Trenton, New Jersey-based recycling company TerraCycle Inc. as they recycle everything from potato chip bags to cigarette buds by turning them into colorful consumer products. The company’s founder, Tom Szaky, hopes the show will inspire millennials  to become more environmentally conscious as both citizens and entrepreneurs. “A lot of people have said the show is like a 20-something socially conscious reality version of ‘The Office,’” said Szaky. “I’m a big fan of content with a purpose; there isn’t that much TV out there like this.” Szaky, now 32, founded the company in 2001 while studying at Princeton University.  Since then the company has branched into 22 offices around the world. “The main point is to get more people to know about TerraCycle,” Szaky adds. “The second is to really inspire young people to look at becoming entrepreneurs for socially responsible reasons.” Belisa Balaban, Pivot VP of Original Programming, is excited about Terracyle’s vision for the future. “We knew they were a perfect fit for Pivot, perfectly aligned with everything we want to do, to create positive social change through entertainment,” said Balaban. “TerraCycle is an amazing company that’s doing amazing things,” she added. “It’s a funny place to spend time at, a place with great bold characters who are unique individuals and extremely passionate about what they do.” The first episode of “Human Resources” airs on Pivot on Friday, August 8th.  The network currently has plans to air 10 episodes of the show in its first season.

Dive Brief:

• A new reality TV show to be broadcast on the network Pivot will feature recycling company TerraCycle. "Human Resources" will air 10 episodes and premiers on Friday night at 10 PM.
• The program follows Tom Szaky, the owner of the company, as he navigates the inner workings of the Trenton, NJ-based office.
• Szaky said the show has mass appeal. He is working toward a goal of "eliminating the concept of waste."

Dive Insight:

TerraCycle prides itself as a recycler of difficult-to-recycle materials such as cigarette butts. In fact, he tells viewers of the show to send in their garbage and TerraCycle will recycle it free of charge. In January,Progressive Waste acquired a 19.9% interest in TerraCycle. The two companies are partnering on numerous zero-waste initiatives.