Packaging professionals are always on the hunt for the next big way to appeal to consumers. When it comes to buying products, the old adage “Don’t judge a book by its cover” simply doesn’t apply. Packaging is the first thing a consumer sees, and its design can play a huge part in a purchasing decision. This doesn’t mean, however, that looks are all that matter; environmentally-savvy customers are as equally concerned about the fate of the packaging as they are in its aesthetics. More and more consumers are interested in buying from brands that highlight their commitment to environmental issues. According to Bridgestone Americas and Firestone Complete Auto Care’s 2013 survey, of the over 4,000 Americans surveyed, 86 percent recycled and a whopping 92 percent said that they consider a company’s environmental sustainability when purchasing products. The question isn’t whether recycling is good for business; the question is how to engage consumers. A number of companies have begun coming up with inventive ways to bring their recycling message to their consumer base, giving incentives to consumers who recycle their packaging. Evergreen Packaging recently wrapped up their Made by Milk carton construction contest, donating up to $5,000 to a school in New York in order to fund art classes that focus on the use of recyclable materials. The winning school created an Alice in Wonderland sculpture by using milk cartons, plastic bags, and soda bottles, among other recyclable materials. Manna Pro, a company that focuses on animal feed, came up with a list of 10 ways to recycle or upcycle Feed Packaging, available for download on their website. In the past they also ran a Manna Planet Packaging Recycling Contest, inviting participants to send in their ideas for the best ways to recycle or upcycle their feed bags. Internationally, FedEx Korea held a Packaging Material Recycling Idea Contest to celebrate the release of its Extra Large Pack, asking participants how they could use recycled packaging materials in their everyday lives. Not only did the contest offer a number of different prizes, but it gave FedEx the opportunity to boast that its new XL packages were made of recyclable polyethylene, containing a minimum of 15 percent post-industrial recycled content. Packaging recycling contests are incredibly versatile and can appeal to a hugely diverse audience because they can be tailored to nearly any consumer base. For instance, Huggies recently partnered with TerraCycle to start diaper packaging recycling contest. The “Diapers for Recyclers” contest offers participants the chance to win ten cases of Huggies diapers every month through December in exchange for their diaper and wipe packaging. Participants get one sweepstakes entry for shipments of packaging weighing at least six pounds, and five entries for shipments weighing at least eight pounds. Each month three winners are chosen to receive the diapers, so there is a strong incentive for consumers to collect and recycle. Contests like these are great opportunities for brands to connect with socially-conscious consumers. They show that these brands are taking responsibility for their packaging waste, and are taking steps to negate the impact that their packaging may have on the environment. Consumers respond to this not only by recycling their products, but by developing brand loyalty to the companies that strive to make the world a greener place to live. In the end, everyone, including the earth, wins.

A phone call regarding last week's column inspires this week's message. The caller had recently visited Coyote Howling Shop for a Cause and learned of the commitment to TerraCycle to earn rebates to feed more children. She reported that, at the time of her visit, she had decided TerraCycle would be "too much work." She called to explain her original response had changed; she would be bringing items to Coyote Howling to TerraCycle.

A marca de esponjas Scotch-Brite criou, em parceria com a TerraCycle, um sistema de coleta e reciclagem destes produtos. A Brigada de Esponjas Scotch-Brite vai coletar esponjas de qualquer marca e suas respectivas embalagens plásticas para transformá-las em...

NELSONVILLE — Through a partnership with Rural Action, the Nelsonville Music Festival recycled and composted 96.5 percent, or over 2.5 tons, of all the waste discarded by patrons and vendors inside the festival gates. Over the course of the four-day music fest, there were 7,000 people eating, drinking, and grooving. Despite record attendance rates, less than one dumpster of trash — 187.8 pounds — was sent to the landfill. That’s about the same weight as one average American man. Several new materials were recycled at the event including dairy containers, cartons, plastic bags, and even cigarette butts. The bags will be recycled locally and turned into new products like guardrail blocks. Other new materials are being sent to partners such as TerraCycle for recycling.

TerraCycle Drink Pouch Brigade mention. The Ranger final

Patterson Elementary School takes part in the Drink Pouch Brigade to win playgrounds, park benches, and recycling bins for their school. Tri-City Voice Final

(NAPSI)—People around the U.S. are increasingly bringing the “green” back to their neighborhoods. In addition to initiatives like Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) and environmental education through the schools, residents are starting to focus much of their attention on building long-lasting landmarks such as community gardens. The American Community Gardening Association estimates that there are already 18,000 community gardens throughout the country, and for good reason. According to Minnesota nonprofit Green Matters, community gardens decrease crime in urban areas with little vegetation, increase the value of properties in the surrounding area and can help locals save money on food through garden-generated produce. Instead of driving to a distant supermarket for produce or a faraway park for some green space, it’s just a matter of walking over to the nearby garden. The health benefits associated with these gardens show how important open garden spaces can be to otherwise “greenless” urban environments. In 2013, University of Utah researchers found that residents who get involved with community garden projects have recognizably lower body mass indexes than nongardeners, with less chance of being overweight. Not only that, fresh produce from community gardens is less likely to be contaminated with pesticides than other kinds and can be used to teach kids about better nutrition. Organizations such as GrowNYC try to make neighborhood gardens more prevalent. It has already helped establish more than 70 community gardens in New York City, one made with recycled beauty waste with the help of Garnier and recycling company TerraCycle. Initiatives like these not only help establish community gardens in areas with otherwise sparse vegetation, but get the public involved, increase environmental awareness, and educate the community at the same time. Assistant Director Lenny Librizzi shared these tips for getting involved in a community garden. • Look Online—Well-organized community gardens usually have websites or Facebook groups. • Visit—Take a walk through nearby gardens to see which one you’re most drawn to. • Get Your Hands Dirty—Being a member of a community garden is about more than just growing vegetables. All members should expect to help with common areas, composting, watering, or volunteering time.Ê • If At First You Don’t Succeed—Each garden has different rules and management systems. If you don’t feel like you’re gelling with the group, try out another one or consider starting your own. Organizations such as the National Recreation and Park Association and the U.S. Department of Agriculture offer grant programs to communities to help fund garden projects. Some companies are also helping. For example, TerraCycle and Garnier will bring another Garnier Green Garden made out of recycled beauty waste to one of five urban areas in the U.S. in a contest decided by a public vote. To vote and learn more, visit www.green.garnierusa.com.

Book review of the second book by TerraCycle founder, Tom Szaky. American Waste Digest Final