(English) Best Practices

Terracycle is an innovative recycling company founded by Tom Szaky. The company's story began with a simple idea: to find a way to recycle hard-to-recycle waste items that were traditionally considered non-recyclable. Tom Szaky and his team started by collecting and repurposing used plastic bottles, creating a line of organic plant food called "Worm Poop" using the nutrient-rich waste.

Terracycle gained attention for its unique approach to waste management and quickly expanded its operations. The company developed partnerships with major brands and retailers, creating specialized recycling programs for items such as snack wrappers, coffee capsules, and personal care products. These programs allowed consumers to send in their waste, which would then be repurposed or recycled by Terracycle.

One of the notable aspects of Terracycle's approach is its focus on "upcycling." Instead of traditional recycling, where materials are broken down and turned into new products, Terracycle seeks to upcycle waste by transforming it into new and useful items. For example, snack wrappers can be turned into bags, or coffee capsules can be transformed into garden furniture.

Over the years, Terracycle has expanded its reach globally and diversified its services. The company now operates in over 20 countries and partners with numerous organizations, brands, and retailers. It offers recycling programs for a wide range of waste streams, including plastics, packaging, electronics, and more.

Waste management, pollution, climate change

• Waste Diversion: Terracycle has diverted millions of pounds of waste from landfills, incineration, and the environment through their collection and recycling programs. They have developed innovative recycling solutions for items that are traditionally considered non-recyclable.
• Product Upcycling: Terracycle has pioneered the concept of upcycling, where they transform collected waste materials into new products. This helps reduce the demand for virgin materials and minimizes the environmental impact associated with manufacturing new products.
• Social Impact: In addition to their environmental efforts, Terracycle has also focused on social impact by implementing initiatives that support communities and vulnerable populations. They have launched programs that provide opportunities for employment, education, and empowerment.
• Innovation and Research: Terracycle continuously invests in research and development to find new recycling solutions and technologies. They strive to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their recycling processes and expand their capabilities to handle a wider range of waste materials.

• Waste Diversion Rates
• Recycling Rates
• Environmental Impact
• Innovation and Research

• B Corp Certification: Terracycle is a certified B Corporation
• Zero Waste Facility Certification
• EcoCert
• Responsible Recycling (R2) Certification
• Recycling Industry Association Awards

• According to Consumer Awareness and Participation: One of the challenges for Terracycle is raising awareness among consumers about the importance of recycling and engaging them to participate in recycling programs.
• According to Collection Infrastructure: Establishing an efficient and widespread collection infrastructure for various waste streams can be a challenge. Terracycle needs to ensure that there are convenient collection points available for consumers to drop off their recyclable materials.
• Cost Management: Recycling and waste management can be costly, especially when dealing with hard-to-recycle materials. Terracycle must carefully manage its costs to ensure the viability and sustainability of its operations.
• Innovation and Technology: Continual innovation in recycling processes and technologies can help Terracycle improve the efficiency and effectiveness of its recycling operations. Investing in research and development can lead to advancements in recycling technologies and the ability to recycle a wider range of materials.

• https://www.terracycle.com/en-US/ Access 30/6/2023
• https://www.linkedin.com/company/terracycle/ Access 30/6/2023
• https://www.instagram.com/TerraCycle/ Access 30/6/2023