TerraCycle
TerraCycle Is Eliminating the Idea of Waste
A commonly held belief among many people across the world is that some materials, products and forms of packaging are not recyclable by design or composition; this is not true. Recycling the “unrecyclable” is not only possible, but my company TerraCycle is doing it every single day. TerraCycle has developed regenerative recycling solutions for waste streams as diverse as writing instruments, coffee and beverage pods, food and drink pouches, and even used toothbrushes and cigarette butts, offsetting demand for virgin materials.
How does it work?
¨Through key partnerships with entities seeking to take greater responsibility for difficult-to-recycle waste streams and meet sustainability goals, we are able to create free recycling programs through a “sponsored waste” social business model in which companies pay to solve for their waste.
In 20 countries around the world, participants in these free programs (individual consumers, schools, churches, community organizations, retailers, etc.) need simply collect the waste and ship using a pre-paid shipping label to TerraCycle for processing. Activations such as recycling challenges, retail promotions and social media contests engage consumers, who are also offered ‘TerraCycle Points’ in return for shipments, which can be converted to a cash donation to the charity or non-profit of the collector’s choice.
A privately held company, TerraCycle puts 100% of its profit back into our business. To date, TerraCycle has donated more than $15 million to charity with more than 60 million people around the world recycling with us to keep 3.2 billion pieces of waste out of out of landfills and incinerators.
In addition to the “sponsored waste” program structure, TerraCycle recently launched the Zero Waste Box platform, a highly customizable premium waste solution consumers can purchase to recycle hundreds of waste streams. Categorized and priced according to the level of separation, the Zero Waste Box offers B2B and B2C recycling solutions for personal and commercial use.
Our Mission
At TerraCycle, we are Eliminating the Idea of Waste by setting out to prove that nearly every waste stream on the planet can be reused, upcycled or recycled. Science is not the limitation that prevents waste from being recycled; the real barrier preventing our most common waste streams from being recycled is economics.
Courtyard designed by TerraCycle and made up entirely from upcycled waste.
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TerraCycle's US Headquarters in Trenton, NJ
" Our Design Team has come up with an impressive array of do-it-yourself projects for you to upcycle your waste.
This courtyard is a result."