TerraCycle is on a mission to eliminate the idea of waste. They do this by creating waste collection programs (each one is called a “Brigade”) for previously non-recyclable, or difficult-to-recycle, waste. The collected waste is then converted into new products, ranging from recycled park benches to upcycled backpacks.
The idea of moving towards a “Zero Waste” world seems too farfetched for some people on the business end of the spectrum to take seriously. Even so, consumers are starting to value businesses that are more sustainably-minded, beyond simple “greenwashing.” Many skeptics seem to think that this is some idealized, unobtainable goal, when in fact there are very reachable and accessible methods of taking a few beginning steps towards Zero Waste. Plus, consumers aren’t just attracted to companies that generate Zero Waste; they value ones that are putting forth real efforts into making those first few steps to solving their own waste generation problems.
Recycle Across America (RAA) has joined forces with Participant Media to launch a social action campaign focused on transforming
recycling and improving the economics and prevalence of
sustainable packaging and
manufacturing.
The campaign is inspired by Participant’s new show “Human Resources,” premiering Aug. 8 on its television network Pivot.
“Human Resources” follows TerraCycle, a company whose mission is to eliminate waste on a global scale. The
Recycle Right! campaign offers informational videos, tips and practical solutions — such as standardized recycling labels — to increase the amount of quality raw recycled materials available to be used by manufacturers looking to lessen their environmental footprint.
A key component of the campaign is expanding the use of standardized recycling
labels to help eliminate confusion at the bins and empowering everyone to recycle right. The campaign aims to double the amount of standardized labels being used by the end of the year to 1 million.
The partners say use of the standardized labels on recycling bins have shown to:
- Increase recycling levels by more than 50 percent and significantly reduces the amount of trash thrown in recycling bins.
- Help ensure a consistent quality and quantity of recycled materials. This helps keep the cost of recycled raw materials competitive with virgin materials.
Many industry leaders have already begun using the labels on their bins, such as: NBCUniversal, Hallmark, Kohler, Walt Disney World employee areas, Procter & Gamble manufacturing, SanDisk, AOL, 2,000 US K-12 schools — including all the public schools in Washington DC, many universities including University of Denver, George Mason University, Johns Hopkins University and thousands of other adopters.
Today approximately half a million of RAA’s standardized labels are in use throughout the US, Canada and Europe.
In April
Terracycle began marketing its Zero Waste Box programto factory managers in a bid to encourage employees to recycle items commonly used on factory floors, including ear plugs and hair nets.
Company’s Zero Waste Boxes offer a place for factory and facility employees to recycle ear plugs and hair and beard nets. Boxes help facilities reduce their environmental impact. Managers can purchase boxes to recycle ear plugs and hair and beard nets separately or a combination box where both can be comingled. Company provides signage to help educate the workforce and increase compliance. When the box is full, it is shipped to Company for processing. The shipping cost is included in the price of the boxes.
Makeup and beauty products might bring out your eyes or add some style to your hair, but the only addition to the environment is more packaging waste. And considering the top 100 personal care, beauty and cosmetic product companies sold an astonishing $195 billion worth of products in 2011.
TerraCycle has been collaborating with some brands to fulfill their eco-conscious missions, which has resulted in saving billions of used packages from ending up in landfills
By joining the Zero Waste program from recycling pioneer TerraCycle, salon owners can collect and recycle everything from empty product tubes and bottles, old brushes and combs, latex gloves and even human hair.
TerraCycle is known for collecting materials that can’t be recycled through traditional curbside recycling programs – like chip bags, water filters and cigarette butts – and turning them into innovative, affordable products. Now with the launch of its Zero Waste Box program, the New Jersey-based company wants to make it easier for businesses to dramatically reduce their waste strea
Every day is Earth Day! Love the planet? Go to TerraCycle
Terracycle has released new zero waste boxes to help companies recycle at the factory level. The boxes are available in varying sizes and price points, and include signage to help engage workers and increase compliance. When the box is full, it is shipped for free back to TerraCycle, where the collected materials will be upcycled into new products.
