STEP #45

Upcycle

Using existing materials and creating new useful products has made TerraCycle a thriving company in these economically trying times. Founded by Tom Szaky at age 19, this Trenton, New Jersey-based company pays you to send it discarded energy bar wrappers, empty Doritos bags, yogurt containers and juice boxes! Then, it turns them into something useful, like a purse or a clock.

By reusing resources, or upcycling, TerraCycle transforms trash into affordable products. Their innovative transformations include everything from desk clocks made from circuit boards to drink coasters made from old vinyl records, and unique, hand-painted “art” pots fashioned from crushed computers and fax machines. They also package all of their products in waste materials such as used soda bottles.

Nonprofit organizations, schools, and even families can raise funds and environmental awareness by collecting used materials and sending them to TerraCycle—the company even pays for your shipping costs! You can sign up today at www.terracycle.net/brigades.

Their Nabisco Cookie Wrapper Brigade collects all sizes of used Oreo and Chips Ahoy! brand cookie wrappers and donates two cents per wrapper. TerraCycle then fuses the wrappers together making sheets of waterproof fabric that will be used for items like kites, tote bags and shower curtains!

Upcycled products are sold at major retailers nationwide and online through www.terracycle.net. This is a great step to take!