You can recycle even stuff you thought was trash- like drink pouches, and storage bags!

Here is something totally cool I just found out about! TerraCycle is the world’s leader in the collection and reuse of non-recyclable post-consumer waste. TerraCycle works with over thirty major brands in the U.S. and in a growing number of other countries to collect used packaging and products (chip bags, candy wrappers, juice pouches, pens, toothbrushes, etc.) that would otherwise be destined for landfills. It repurposes that waste into new eco-friendly materials and products! The waste is collected through TerraCycle’s Brigade programs, which are free fundraisers that pay schools and non-profits for every piece of waste they collect and return. That is so cool!

Hopefully, you already reduce the amount of this waste that you consume but it is so great that Terracycle helps recycle this stuff that would otherwise end up in landfills!! You just send them your trash (they have a complete list of things they accept on their site and you can do it as a group or individually) and they pay your shipping and donate money per unit of waste and then make cool products out of it! Drink pouches become fencing material!

TerraCycle also runs free national collection programs that pay non-profits and schools TerraCycle has exclusive partnerships with major CPG companies such as Kraft Foods, Frito Lay (Pepsi), Stonyfield Farm, Mars Wrigley and many more. The partnerships create free collection programs that pay schools and non-profits nationwide to collect used packaging such as drink pouches, energy bar wrappers, yogurt cups, cookie wrappers, chip bags and more! The collected materials are upcycled into affordable, high quality products ranging from tote bags and purses to shower curtains and kites. In addition, TerraCycle works with these partners to find innovative uses for all of their waste streams and, by making products from these various waste streams, TerraCycle prevents 1000’s of tons of waste from going to landfills.

Go forth and recycle even more than you did before!! Be a real leader and go to your community schools and start collection bins in the cafeteria to recycle "trash" and earn money for the schools. Go ahead and make a huge difference and pat yourself on the back! Leave me a comment if do this already or feel inspired to do so now!

You may also like to read How to Go Green While Scrapbooking.