When it comes to sustainability, reducing waste and reusing items are the key components of the process, but when that fails, recycling plays an important role. That’s where TerraCycle comes in. This innovative company offers a solution for recycling all the hard-to-recycle stuff, like snack bags, coffee capsules, and even beauty product containers.
But how does TerraCycle work? and how does it actually recycle? In this blog, we’ll break down everything you need to know about TerraCycle and how it helps us all recycle more effectively.
Contents:
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What Is TerraCycle?
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How Does TerraCycle Work?
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How Does TerraCycle Recycle?
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Shop TerraCycle Zero Waste Boxes At EarthHero
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Remember: Reduce, Reuse, Then Recycle
What Is TerraCycle?
TerraCycle is an innovative recycling company with a mission to "recycle the unrecyclable."
They work with a wide range of materials such as chip bags, coffee capsules, and toothpaste tubes (essentially, items that don’t typically have recycling options). Terracycle’s goal is to eliminate waste by creating innovative recycling programs for all types of products and materials, ensuring they are properly disposed of and reused, rather than contributing to the 292 million tons of waste thrown away in the US annually.
With TerraCycle, recycling goes beyond the usual. Their Zero Waste Boxes tackle tricky items that may otherwise take years or centuries to break down, making it easier for companies, households, schools, offices, and even individuals to collect and send in their waste for recycling.
How Does TerraCycle Work?
TerraCycle works by setting up specialized recycling programs that are designed to handle specific types of waste. You can join a program by purchasing a TerraCycle Zero Waste Box, which comes with instructions on how to collect and ship your waste.
Here’s how it typically works:
1. Choose Your Box
Select a TerraCycle zero waste box based on the type of waste you want to recycle. For example, you might choose a box for snacks wrappers, beauty product containers, or old pens and markers. You can find a variety of recycling boxes on EarthHero, where you can easily shop and get started with your recycling journey.
2. Collect Your Waste
Once you have your box, collect the designated waste items. TerraCycle boxes are specifically designed for items that would otherwise be difficult to recycle in your local area. You can fill your box with materials over time or in one go, it’s entirely up to you.
3. Ship Your Box
After your box is filled, you send it back to TerraCycle. They provide pre-paid shipping labels, so you don’t have to worry about the cost. You simply pack up your filled box and send it off!
4. Recycling Process
When TerraCycle receives the waste, they carefully sort and clean the items before processing them. The materials are then broken down and transformed into new products. This could mean creating something new, like outdoor furniture or new packaging, or in some cases, upcycling the waste into useful products.
This approach not only helps reduce the amount of waste going to landfills but also gives products a second life, which is a crucial part of a sustainable, circular economy.
How Does TerraCycle Recycle?
Here’s how TerraCycle turns your unrecyclable waste into something useful again:
Research & Development
TerraCycle’s in-house scientists work hard to find the best way to recycle each type of material. They analyze the composition of the waste to figure out how it can be repurposed into new products.
Regulatory & Technical Checks
Before processing, TerraCycle makes sure that each type of waste meets safety and recycling standards. This includes reviewing regulations and confirming that each material can be safely handled in their facilities.
Receipt & Check-In
Once your waste is sent to a TerraCycle Material Recovery Facility (MRF), it’s checked in. They record the shipment details and inspect the materials, making sure they comply with their recycling standards.
Sorting
Materials are sorted using a combination of manual labor and high-tech machines. This might include size separation, magnetic separation for metals, or even using infrared sensors.
Processing
After sorting, materials are processed and transformed into something new. Plastics are melted and reformed into pellets, metals are shredded and made into sheets, and glass can be crushed and reused in new products like bottles or bricks.
By carefully sorting, cleaning, and processing the materials, TerraCycle ensures that even the toughest waste can be turned into something useful again.
You can find out more on their website!
Shop TerraCycle Zero Waste Boxes At Earth Hero!
Ready to get started? It’s easier than ever to join the recycling movement with TerraCycle’s zero waste boxes, and EarthHero is your one-stop shop for all the TerraCycle boxes you need:
& More!
Remember: Reduce, Reuse, Then Recycle!
While TerraCycle offers an excellent solution for recycling hard-to-recycle materials, it’s important to remember that reducing waste should always be your first priority. By reducing what you use in the first place, whether that’s by shopping zero waste or swapping single-use products for reusable alternatives, you can help reduce the overall need for recycling.
Top Zero Waste Picks:
Top Reusable Alternatives:
Remember: Reduce what you can, reuse what you can, and then, when all else fails, recycle. When the last step seems impossible, that’s when Terracycle’s zero waste boxes come in!
