Ted, what an interesting story! I liked that Szaky--from necessity--had used old soda bottles, and then continued to do so even when he made it big. My question is, have you seen the actual Terracycle packaging? I wonder if they tell their re-use "story" on the bottle itself, or are leaving it to their PR team to tell. I think both avenues would be a good approach.

Paul,

To answer your question, "No, I haven't seen the actual packaging yet, but after reading about Terracycle, I'll definitely check it out." I'm betting the packaging does tell the story, because in most cases, green companies use their web sites and every other marketing tool, including packaging, to share their unique viewpoints and stories. They're justifiably proud of their initiatives, and should be.

This really gives us all a lot of food for thought, doesn't it?

I'm not surprised in the least that Szaky still uses recycled containers for his product line. This goes to his whole philosophy to invent products and packaging entirely from waste. He is being true to his core and his mission.

Thanks for commenting, Paul. Your insights and questions are always welcome.

What other kinds of consumer products would you like to see made from recycled waste and repurposed packaging?

Having worked in a ski shop, we often have people try to trade-in old, straight traditional skis, which we no longer accept. I'm assuming a majority of these get thrown in the trash or sit rusting in the basement if they're not ebayed.

A cool use I've seen for this equipment is removing the bindings, cutting the skis, and fashioning them into a lawn or porch chair. Despite the hard surface these chairs are rather comfy. Maybe Szaky could make that a product offering for his business.

Do you think we can eventually eliminate most of our garbage by thinking in these terms?

I think it's possible. But if it's going to happen we'll need better efforts to educate the average consumer about alternative options, rather than have them take the path of least resistance and throw things out.

Does it say on the packaging that you can send your Capri drink pouch to TerraCycle and get paid for it? My school days are over, so I haven't had the chance to see. This seems to be the best way to make people more knowledgable about an alternative option to the trash.

Or perhaps TerraCycle might sponsor classroom days where elementary students are educated about ways they can re-use items at home. Make it a craft day, where they're taught the skills to create. The hope being that the lessons learned will rub off on their parents when it comes to trashing versus reuse.

Great story, Ted. Necessity sure is the mother of invention.

I'm waiting for the day when we can toss our garbage into our fuel tanks - just like in Back to the Future #2. :)

Wow, Jesse, great ideas. Thanks for answering these questions with so many insights. Love your ideas about reusing old skis to make chairs. In fact, I once wrote a post about a British designer who makes modern chairs from cast-off, hard to recycle plastics. While his furniture isn't for everyone, the idea is an inventive one and necessary since landfills in the UK are reaching critical mass.

You're right: if Terracycle isn't already doing so, they ought to work with the manufacturers whose packaging they're recycling to inform the public in a joint effort.

Elementary schools are the perfect place to instill recycling and repurposing efforts with the kids, too. The idea of having them make crafts from discarded materials is a great one. Who knows what kinds of ideas might emerge from that, too.

As you say, at least a portion of the stuff we're throwing out now, might be reused if we all give it a little thought. Thanks, Jesse, for adding significantly to this post.

Thanks, Elaine, for the kind words.

What a great idea! I wonder whether we could recycle most of our garbage by putting it directly into our fuel tanks. If we can do it soon, easily and cheaply--preferably without a nasty emissions problem--I'll bet consumers would get on board quickly with "garbage fuels".

Thanks, Elaine, for the chuckle. You made my day!

Jesse & DF Blog Readers,

Take a look at this idea for recycling garbage:
http://www.mpdailyfix.com/2007/06/no_such_thing_as_plastic_waste.html
This may not be everybody's cup of tea, but it's another idea for recycling the huge amount of plastic waste modern society creates. . .

I have used the TerraCycle products and my lawn and veggies definitely profitted.

The previous owners of my home had used "bark mulch" made from shredded automobile tires. It actually took us about a year to figure out that the stuff wasn't wood.

Scott,

Nice to hear from someone who has actually used the Terracycle products! Glad to hear that it worked so well. BTW: recycled tires would probably be better used for products other than mulch!

Thanks for weighing in, Scott.

I think it's possible. But if it's going to happen we'll need better efforts to educate the average consumer about alternative options, rather than have them take the path of least resistance and throw things out.

Agreed, Tom. And, as Jesse pointed out in an earlier comment, it's not a bad idea to engage school children in finding creative ways to use refuse in art projects. Kids are very bright and I'm willing to bet they can find myriad inventive ways to repurpose garbage.

Thanks for commenting, Tom.