All items that TerraCycle accepts to upcycle into new products will now be collected at five Walmart stores on the East Coast, the first retail outlets to test the new collection system, according to Green Biz. All told, the new collection system will accept 28 types of trash that can’t be recycled and would otherwise go to landfills, which TerraCycle turns into new products such as tote bags, plant pots, backpacks, pencil cases and portable speakers.

October 6, 2010—Five Walmart stores on the East Coast will be the first to test a new collection system for 28 types of trash that TerraCycle turns into new products. Brigades previously had to mail in trash they collect. The collection system at the five Walmarts, which went into operation October 1, allows anyone to drop off any waste TerraCycle accepts in converted 20-foot trailers at Walmart stores in Secaucus, Vineland, Deptford East and Lanoka Harbor, all in New Jersey, and Tullytown, Pennsylvania

The 15 students of the high school's environmental club, SAVE, or Students Against Violation of the Earth, are participating in a recycling campaign sponsored by TerraCycle, a Trenton-based company that "upcycles" trash and turns it into reusable items that are sold at stores like Target, Walmart and Home Depot. The students are encouraging the whole district and even residents to participate in the campaign which started Friday and runs through Dec. 15. SAVE adviser Donna Pancari said the competition is open to all public schools in New Jersey and could net the district a hefty prize. A total of $125,000 will be awarded to the six schools that collect the most garbage with the first-place prize being $50,000. Winners will be announced in January.

In their latest move to increase their upcycling of materials that normally end up in landfills, TerraCycle has partnered with five East Coast Walmart stores to test a new collection system for 28 types of trash that TerraCycle will then turn into new products. The New Jersey-based company collects waste through their Brigades programs, which not only keep waste out of landfills but bring financial benefits to schools and organizations as well. This new collection system, which began October 1st, will allow anyone to drop off any waste that TerraCycle accepts in converted 20-foot trailers at Walmart stores in Secaucus, Vineland, Deptford East and Lanoka Harbor, all in New Jersey, and Tullytown, Pennsylvania.

From its humble beginnings selling worm-poop fertilizer, this New Jersey product manufacturer upcycles retail trash into retail treasure. Each and every product on this earth has a life span,” said Tom Szaky, CEO and vice president of licensing and product development at TerraCycle, Inc. “The end-of-life reality of a bag of potato chips is that the food ends up in the toilet and the bag ends up in the garbage. Same with a pen; you buy a pen, the ink runs out. The only difference is, some products can be recycled easily and others not so easily.”

TerraCycle <http://www.terracycle.net/>  is truly an amazing company.  I thought what they do was really neat the first time that I heard about them.  When I saw their bags, totes, and back packs at Walmart, I thought they were the cutest products!  You may have seen them yourself.  Have you seen the cute M&M bags or the Capri Sun totes and back packs?  Those are the workings of TerraCycle <http://www.terracycle.net/> !  Just check out some of their products below!

TRENTON, NJ — Five Walmart stores on the East Coast will be the first to test a new collection system for 28 types of trash that TerraCycle turns into new products. Brigades currently have to mail in trash they collect. The collection system at the five Walmart's, going into place Oct. 1, will allow anyone to drop off any waste that New Jersey-based TerraCycle accepts in converted 20-foot trailers at Walmart stores in Secaucus, Vineland, Deptford East and Lanoka Harbor, all in New Jersey, and Tullytown, Penn.

Any item that TerraCycle accepts for it’s upcycled products can now be dropped off at one of five East Coast Walmarts instead of being mailed directly to TerraCycle. According to GreenBiz, anyone can drop the items off at Walmart, not just the schools or non-profits that have signed up for TerraCycle’s Brigade.

Jackie Fashjian became very passionate about spreading awareness to future generations on this very serious environmental issue.  She began working with a company called Terracycle.  Terracycle creates new products from non-recyclable trash that would otherwise end up in the landfills.  They resell these innovative products to major retailers like Wal-Mart, K-Mart and Home Depot just to name a few.  The best part about this program is Terracycle donates 2 cents to a school or charity for every piece of trash sent in.  So far The Dumpster Divers have diverted thousands of pieces of trash from the landfills and raised well over $100 for Floral Street School.  They have also opened a new account to raise $$ for a local Girl Scout troop.  Their hope in the future is to spread this program throughout Central MA and raise a lot more money for local schools and other non profit charities.

Just about every school - public or private - needs money. And I'm not against it by any means. This year I'm chairing the fund raising committee for my younger son's school. My goal is to incorporate projects that teach as well as bring in money. But In my quest, I've found another that I must share. The company is called TerraCycle, and its aim is to make eco-friendly, affordable consumer products from waste.