Tom Szaky has built an entire business around the notion  anything can be recycled. "There is no such thing as garbage," said  the 28-year-old Canadian founder and president of TerraCycle Inc.  "The only difference between a soda bottle and a yogourt cup is that  one has a collection and solution system on it already -- the soda  bottle has our Blue Box program -- while the yogourt cup doesn't."

Tom Szaky has built an entire business around the notion  anything can be recycled. "There is no such thing as garbage," said  the 28-year-old Canadian founder and president of TerraCycle Inc.  "The only difference between a soda bottle and a yogourt cup is that  one has a collection and solution system on it already -- the soda  bottle has our Blue Box program -- while the yogourt cup doesn't."

Tom Szaky has built an entire business around the notion  anything can be recycled. "There is no such thing as garbage," said  the 28-year-old Canadian founder and president of TerraCycle Inc.  "The only difference between a soda bottle and a yogourt cup is that  one has a collection and solution system on it already -- the soda  bottle has our Blue Box program -- while the yogourt cup doesn't."

I’m not going to judge you for your obsession with Real Housewives, but if you’d like to tune in to some trashy television of the more guilt-free variety, you won’t want to miss the Garbage Moguls marathon airing this Saturday (starting at 7 pm) on the National Geographic Channel. The show follows the inner workings of one of my favorite eco-minded companies, TerraCycle, as its crew works to transform trash into treasure.

You all already know how important I feel it is to do our part to make the environment a big priority in our lives and in the lives of our children.  I mean we all want there to be an actual planet here for future generations, don't we?  So, in my quest for a better environment I came across what may just be the coolest program....TerraCycle.

I have written about TerraCycle before… They are an innovative company that takes “Garbage” like wrappers, juice box containers (like Capri Sun, I could never get those open without making a mess as a kid) and take them and make something new with them without remanufacturing the materials. This Saturday on the National Geographic channel they are airing a 3 part documentary about the company and some of the creative projects they have embarked on. TerraCycle is led by Princeton University drop-out and self defined “worm poop connoisseur” Tom Szaky, the show follows TerraCycle’s team of young “eco-capitalists” as they brainstorm, argue over, go dumpster diving for, and eventually create new products that help solve America’s waste problem.

With its innovative Upcycle Program, TerraCycle encourages consumers to “be a part of their eco-revolution!” Started by a Princeton student in 2001, it is the company’s endeavor to minimize what most toss as trash. In order to reduce waste in landfills, TerraCycle establishes turn-key operations that make it easier for schools and non-profit organizations to save, collect and donate non-recyclables, and to earn cash from the donations for fund drives.

Unfortunately, just like in most towns, there’s a limit on what sort of materials they accept. Which is why whenTerraCycle emailed about their program I was so excited! TerraCycle is a small (but growing!) company that takes normally non-recyclable products and turns them into cool and useful stuff.

TerraCycle began in a Princeton University dorm room in 2001 and has grown into a large business that repurposes nonrecyclable material like candy wrappers into items such as bags, decorations and toys. The company collects the items for free so that instead of watching them go into the trash can, they can be molded into a Skittles insulated cooler, a pencil made from newspapers or, ironically, a recycled plastic trash can. Vice President of Media Relations Albe Zakes says the company focuses on hiring smart, capable people who can learn about green practices, rather than searching out idealists who need to learn real-world skills. “It’s better to find smart, experienced, talented people to help the company succeed than it is to find people who follow the company’s goals,” he says. “We don’t necessarily look for someone who has to drive a hybrid, and compost their own waste.” Having a familiarity with the relevant issues gives candidates a leg up. “I love people that come from a nonprofit or socially friendly background because it means they’ll know how to talk the talk when it comes to green and social issues.” Mr. Zakes got involved in the company after applying for, and not getting, a full-time position. He says he convinced his now-boss to give him a summer internship as a tryout. Now, TerraCycle has upward of 30 interns.