Learn what TerraCycle's objectives are and how the company is adding to the number of waste streams it collects.

Collect Dropps Pouches and Ship to TerraCycle for Free to Lighten Landfills and Benefit Non-Profits ARDMORE, Pa., April 19, 2011 ARDMORE, Pa., April 19, 2011 -- Dropps, the first laundry detergent product that's both convenient (toss-and-go dissolving pacs) as well as environmentally friendly (EPA Design for the Environment (DfE) certified), has partnered with TerraCycle, the international upcycling pioneer, to give consumers a 100% zero waste liquid laundry detergent choice.  Until now Dropps pouches have been easy on the wrist, but not suitable for traditional recycling, despite being a fraction of the environmental footprint of giant plastic jugs.  TerraCycle, which specializes in difficult-to-recycle packaging, is launching a new category in its popular Brigade® programs, the Dropps Laundry Detergent Pouch Brigade®, to make Dropps a 100% zero waste product, while earning greenbacks for charities and schools!

Earth Day. It's the day on which countless companies decide to announce new green products, environmental goals, project results or tree-planting plans, meaning it's also the day countless announcements go straight from our in-box to our (electronic) recycling bin. We'll try to make sure that at least a few of the resources that went into typing up and emailing those releases to us don't go to waste. Here are some of the ones that made the cut: New Life for Plastic Cups and Flip-Flops TerraCycle, the New Jersey company that turns all types of trash into consumer products, launched a handful of partnerships and limited collection drives this month. Two new collection programs will accept cosmetics packaging from Garnier brand products and plastic polystyrene cups, which let's hope you don't see at any Earth Day celebrations.  Throughout this week TerraCycle is working with Office Depot to give customers coupons for new Sanford products if they bring in pens, pencils or markers to be recycled. And if your flip-flops get ruined while picking up trash on the beach, Old Navy stores will collect used flip-flops until late May to be turned into public playground items through TerraCycle.

We love our flip-flops. But what do you do when your old ones have worn out? Consider recycling them. Old Navy stores (www.oldnavy.com) in Austin and nationwide will accept used flip-flops starting April 22. They will be collected through May 21 and given to upcycling and recycling company TerraCycle, which, in turn, will recycle the flip-flops and use the material for playgrounds. Local Old Navy stores are at Barton Creek Square, Gateway Shopping Center, Lakeline Plaza, the Mueller Development and Shops at the Galleria and in Sunset Valley.

  Flip flop season is almost upon us; the time of year where many of us bare our toes and opt for the ubiquitous summertime footwear.  At our house, weather permitting, we tend to wear our flip flops from the end of April to October. I’m such a fan of flip flops, but among our many pairs, I’ve never really considered what happens to the flip flops after we’re done with them.  Donate? Hand them down? Let them collect dust? How about recycle? Genius.

  Maybe it's the writer in me, but I always seem to have way too many old, useless pens lying around. Here's something I might do with them... Office Depot is honoring Earth Day with a writing instruments recycling offer this year. Bring in 10 pens, pencils, markers or other writing instruments (any brand) and receive a coupon for 50 percent off a new product from Newell Rubbermaid (maker of Sharpie, EXPO, Papermate, etc.) Your old writing instruments will be recycled through a really cool eco-friendly company called Terra Cycle. You can turn in your used writing instruments when you check out, or see any in-store associate. The offer is good through April 23 (Saturday).

1. 1.     Got a pair of flip-flops that are so 2009? There just might be a program for you.

On Friday a program called Flip Flop Relay begins in Woodbury, where participants can turn in their old footwear. In turn, the company TerraCycle recycles the flip-flops into playground equipment, which event organizers say will be donated to communities nationwide. Would-be participants can take part in the Flip Flop Relay locally at Woodbury’s Old Navy store. According to a press release, this event marks the first time a nationwide retailer has initiated a large-scale effort to collect and recycle flip-flops. The event runs through May 21.

Your old flip-flops and used writing pens have a shot at reincarnation. TerraCycle Inc. and Old Navy are partnering to collect used flip-flops and recycle them into four public playgrounds around the country. According to a news release from TerraCycle, this is the first time a nationwide retailer has initiated a large-scale effort to collect and recycle flip-flops. Residents can take flip-flops to the Shawnee Old Navy, 15310 Shawnee Mission Parkway, from Friday, April 22, through May 21.

Today I’m feeling a bit sad for all the used up pens I’ve thrown out over the years, each time grumbling over their unrecyclability. Why? Well for just one week, pens, pencils, and even markers are suddenly recyclable! How so? The garbage-to-green-goods company TerraCycle’s teamed up with Office Depot for Earth Week. Until Sat., April 23, you can take all your out-of-ink writing implements to any Office Depot location to be recycled into new office-supply products like trashcans and desk organizers. There’s even a reward for eco-enthusiasts who’ve been stockpiling spent pens just hoping for this day to arrive. Take in 10 writing implements, and you’ll get a coupon toward a new Sanford product.

Old Navy and Office Depot are sponsoring in-store recycling programs in conjunction with TerraCycle, a New-Jersey-based company that makes new products out of nonrecyclable packaging and products.