Americans often have a one-track mind when it comes to our trash: we want it out of sight, out of mind, and as soon as possible.

Thinking that I wasn't the only one who had these questions from time to time, I polled the mbg office to get their take. I was met with a resounding wave of "YES! What do you do with (insert misc. item here)!?!" So I reached out to one of mbg's go-to waste experts, Tom Szaky, the founder and CEO of recycling company TerraCycle, to clear up the confusion.

   When you’re gearing up to send your kids back to school, don’t forget about recycling. Many people have old school supplies hanging around from the year before. I have a great way for your kids and their classmates to help the environment and recycle all that old stuff.

It has been estimated that lab plastics waste accounted for 5.5 million tons in 2014 (http://www.nature.com/nature/index.html), roughly the combined tonnage of 67 cruise liners. The quantity and variety of waste generated depends on the type of laboratory, as the laboratory and research industry can be broadly defined to include hospitals, universities, pharmaceutical corporations, and regulatory agencies. Every lab is different and creates a mix of natural and synthetic materials, which may include glass, plastic, hybrid material lab garments, and nitrile and rubber gloves.

January may mark the first month of the Western calendar, but for many (including myself), the August and September months truly punctuate the New Year. Students, parents of students, and anyone who was ever either or both of these can relate: Back-to-school season is a time for new beginnings, and this too often means new "stuff." Now is a prime time to reevaluate your habits, schedule, and routine as they relate to your mission to live your best life with minimal impact on the environment. A more sustainable routine is something to strive for year-round, but in the spirit of fresh starts, here are four simple ways parents and students alike can go green for back to school:

As part of the program, Lotus employees are utilizing TerraCycle’s All-In-One Zero Waste Boxes. Lotus Pictures, a New York-based production company, has launched a zero waste program in an effort to divert more of its waste from landfill. “Lotus Pictures wants to reduce our footprint and adopt environmentally friendly measures wherever possible,” said D. Michael Aspite, partner and executive producer of Lotus Pictures, in a statement. “Right now, we’re a small company, but we believe small steps can make a significant impact.”  

One issue plaguing recycling efforts is the fact that only certain waste is accepted for recycling while the rest has to be thrown away. Lotus Pictures, a New York-based production company, is offering its employees a way to recycle their traditionally non-recyclable waste easily and sustainably with TerraCycle’s All-In-One Zero Waste Boxes. According to senior management, Lotus Pictures started using Zero Waste Boxes in an attempt to do their part to combat waste since modern living generates massive amounts of garbage that goes to landfill and can be very environmentally harmful.

January may mark the first month of the Western calendar, but for many (including myself), the August and September months truly punctuate the New Year. Students, parents of students, and anyone who was ever either or both of these can relate: Back-to-school season is a time for new beginnings, and this too often means new “stuff.” Now is a prime time to reevaluate your habits, schedule, and routine as they relate to your mission to live your best life with minimal impact on the environment. A more sustainable routine is something to strive for year-round, but in the spirit of fresh starts, here are four simple ways parents and students alike can go green for back to school:

There are now options to recycle your used pods, should you wish to do so; by a company called TerraCycle.