Through a large-scale recycling program called RightCycle, Kimberly-Clark Professional (KCP) has helped divert 137,000 lb of disposable garments and 45,000 lb of nitrile gloves from landfills. The program allows cleanroom employees to deposit their used gloves, hoods, boot covers and hairnets in collection boxes where they are delivered to TerraCycle, KCP's partner company that recycles the otherwise landfill-bound items into useable products such as composite decking, park benches and chairs. Through this program, KCP is providing a more long-term solution to its own waste-generation and helping to pave the way for a more sustainably conscious corporate world "By recycling more than 90 tons of garments and gloves since the program began, we have helped our customers achieve or exceed their corporate social responsibility and sustainability goals," says KCP's Randy Kates. "Our mission to create exceptional workplaces that are healthier, safer and more productive is inseparable from our commitment to protecting the environment. This program addresses both of these goals." Since 2011, the KCP and TerraCycle partnership has made it simple and convenient for companies to recycle these previously non-recyclable waste streams, helping them meet zero-waste goals. The program is part of a larger goal by parent company Kimberly-Clark Corp. to send zero manufacturing waste to landfills by 2015. The company's Global Nonwovens Division has already worked to keep more than 99 percent of its manufacturing waste out of landfills.

Reality television has become an integral part of Western pop culture whether or not you like it – and there are a million reasons you shouldn’t. Many of these shows highlight the glamorous lives of the outrageously wealthy, or the over-dramatized dysfunctions of the most banal D-list celebrities. For such a popular genre of television, many real-life topics pertinent to, you know, reality, are left by the wayside. Where are the shows that engage viewers about issues affecting us all, like the struggling health of our environment? For years, various television networks have tried to create successful “eco” reality programming, but none have been successful enough to make it past the first few seasons. The Lazy Environmentalist was a 2009 program that followed my good friend, Josh Dorfman, creator of sustainable furniture store Vivavi, who traveled around the country showing people easy, cheap ways to make their lives greener. His approach was simple: relate to the everyday viewer who thinks he or she doesn’t have the time to be eco-friendly. Despite his simple approach, the show was canceled after two seasons and ended its run in 2010. Many of you ought to be very familiar with the channel Planet Green, which featured 24-hour programming exclusively focused on ecology, green issues and the environment. Wa$ted, a reality series that began broadcasting on the channel in 2008, followed hosts Annabelle Gurwitch and Holter Graham as they toured the nation, confronting average households about their long-term impacts on the planet. The series had a similar approach to The Lazy Environmentalist, in that they would attempt to connect with the regular viewer by showing how even the smallest green changes can make a difference. Despite the opportunity that Wa$ted and the other eco-reality shows had to gain an audience, Planet Green was ultimately remade from the ground up in 2012 into Destination America. These pitfalls suggest that the networks, channels and reality shows themselves have failed to excite viewers. What will it take to finally engage them about environmental issues in the same ways they are engaged about the inner-workings of some celebrity’s mundane life? To start, it might require selecting the right audience. Pivot TV, a channel that specifically targets socially conscious millennials, focuses on programming that hopes to initiate discussions about urgent social and political issues applicable to all of us, including the environment. While there is obviously no absolute formula for success, a new reality TV series from TerraCycle and Pivot called “Human Resources” will hopefully be a step in the right direction. Premiering today, August 8th at 10pm ET/PT, we hope that the new series will redefine what “green reality TV” really means. The series follows the TerraCycle team as we work day-by-day to recycle and discover new solutions for the waste we are all responsible for generating. Human Resources won’t just show what goes on in the office behind closed doors; it will educate viewers on the ins-and-outs of upcycling, proper recycling techniques, and will offer various PSA’s and calls to action to engage socially conscious viewers into getting up and making a difference. Plus, it’s more than just a show about recycling – it actually presents an opportunity to recycle! Viewers can go to takepart.com/humanresources and download free shipping slips to send their waste to TerraCycle, all at no cost. Or they can request standardized recycling labels from our nonprofit partner, Recycle Across America, who will also earn 2 cents for every piece of waste viewers send to TerraCycle. Eco-reality shows have seen their fair share of losses in the reality arena, which is a shame because of how wildly popular and powerful of a platform it could be for the movement. But as the premiere for Human Resources fast approaches, we hope that it will lead to environmentally focused reality programming becoming more widely accepted by reality show audiences. Do we really need to see yet another “Housewives of Whatever” iteration, anyway?

Environmentally conscious Strip resort managers brag how corks from wine bottles are recycled into shoe soles and cooking oil is converted into biodiesel. Filters from cigarette butts at some casinos are reused to make plastic pallets. Such attention to recycling even the smallest items distinguishes the Strip from the rest of Las Vegas when it comes to conservation. Strip resorts are the county’s champion recyclers, far outpacing residents and other businesses. Why? A contrary strategy is playing out, one that explains the region’s half-hearted recycling effort: The company that collects our trash owns the biggest landfill in the nation and receives little financial incentive to keep garbage out of it. So while Strip resorts recycle more than half their solid waste, about 90 percent of the county’s residential garbage is buried, seemingly guilt-free, in the desert. A CLARK COUNTY RECYCLING SUCCESS STORY For all the things our Strip resorts nail — great food, great shows, great hotel rooms, great shopping — they’ve become experts in another field most of us want nothing to do with: garbage. Half of all the trash generated in local resorts gets recycled. The secret, casino executives say, is capturing as many recyclables as possible before they hit the Dumpster. • Cigarettes rise from the ashes. Caesars partnered with TerraCycle to recycle used cigarette butts. The filters are used into plastic pallets, while tobacco scraps are used for composting.

Anyone over 21 has access to some of the best upcycling materials around – wine packaging. If your wine of choice comes from a bottle, then the cork and glass container provide great inspiration. Empty wine boxes present another opportunity for cutting, gluing and pasting into new projects. At TerraCycle, we were challenged by The Naked Grape to come up with brand new projects made from wine packaging.   Wine corks have so much character to them. The ends of the cork show a glimpse to your preference of red versus white. Wine boxes, on the other hand, come in a rainbow of colors allowing you to mix and match and even color coordinate with your home décor. Gather up the packaging from your favorite vintage and let’s get to work.   Wine Corks Earrings If you’ve just started your wine cork collection, then earrings are the way to go. One wine cork can go a long way and can be sliced into a few pairs of earrings. It’s a fun solution to keep your wine corks hanging around.   Wine Cork Door Knob Stopper Add one wine cork to a vintage door knob and you’ve got your very own up-upcycled wine stopper. Since this comes from a pair of upcycled materials, it’s surely a project that you’ll adore.   Wine Cork Namecard HolderPair up two sets of wine corks for the perfect place to hold guests names. You can uncork your creativity and use upcycled coffee sleeves or other scrap paper for the card.   Monogram LettersNow that you’re a pro at wine cork collecting and you’ve recruited friends and family, too, you’re ready to move on to wine cork letters. Use cardboard as the base material (great use for that wine box) and glue and assemble corks onto the letters, showing off the red and white ends.   Wine Boxes For those of you who drink from the boxed wine varietal, here are some projects that get you thinking outside the recycled box.   Coaster Coast in on this easy coaster project. Simply trace an existing coaster or other round object and cut it into shape. You can always add embellishment with markers, glitter, and more.   Wine CharmsThis wine charm project is a simple way to identify your glass throughout the evening. And best of all, it’s made from the packaging itself giving it added charm.   Placecard HolderCut and fold a box in a few simple spots and you’ve crafted a spot for your favorite name.   Wine Box ToteSimply cut your box in half and add a ribbon handle to create a tote for an easy way to transport a gift or other small cargo.   Magnetic Word PlayGlue magnets to the back of your box and use the text from to create your own magnetic word set. You can mix and match words and create your own messages and poems. The possibilities are endless and you can reuse these magnets over and over.   Picture FrameFrame your favorite photo inside your favorite flavor. This picture perfect project is simple to create with a few strategic cuts and is a great way to reuse your box.   Wine Box Business Card HolderGet down to business with this project that was featured on Made + Remade’s site last year. Download the template and trace and cut. - See more at: http://blog.diynetwork.com/maderemade/2014/07/29/15-projects-you-can-make-from-wine-packaging/#sthash.VuNRUobh.dpuf

Employees at Crossroads of Western Iowa are among the top collectors of lunch kits in the Lunch Kit Brigade, a free, national recycling program created by Lunchables Lunch Combinations and TerraCycle. By collecting used lunch kits, the office has helped to divert 1,291 units of lunch kit waste from landfills.

Tewksbury Town Crier July 9th, 2014

Town Crier July 18-July 24

LUCEDALE, Mississippi -- LC Hatcher students earn money and prizes for their school by collecting and recycling the drink pouches they use at home and in the lunchroom. LC Hatcher students have just reached the second level of TerraCycle and Capri Sun's Drink Pouch Brigade milestone contest by collecting more than 18,000 drink pouches. The students have earned almost $1,600 for their school by collecting the drink pouches. The Drink Pouch Brigade is a free recycling program that rewards people for collecting and sending their waste to TerraCycle to be recycled or upcycled. The Milestone Program began in September 2013 when Capri Sun added prizes for collecting certain amounts. Now, in addition to the money they earn for each piece of waste collected, participants can win prizes made from recycled drink pouches, such as park benches, recycling bins, a playground, and other fun rewards. "The Milestone Program is meant to inspire individuals and organizations to collect more waste while receiving prizes for their achievements," said Tom Szaky, CEO of TerraCycle. "It is rewarding to see the students and administration get so involved in making this work," he said. "It's an incredible achievement to have kept so many pouches out of the waste stream." Thousands of other schools across the United States participate in the Drink Pouch Brigade. To learn more about the program or to sign up, visit www.terracycle.com. The program is free to any interested organization or individual, and all shipping costs are paid. In addition, for each piece of waste received, participants earn money for a charity of their choice.

Cover story Albe contributed to for lead PR trade pub, PR News. 8.4.14 - PR News