By Chris

I was walking through Target the other day when I came across pencil cases and folders that seemed to have been made from old potato chip bags. After closer inspection, I learned that they truly were made from old garbage by a company called TerraCycle.

Turns out that TerraCycle was a company started by two college kids in 2001. Their initial product was a liquid plant food made from worm waste, but now they have dozens of products ranging from backpacks made of Capri Sun drink pouches to plant pots made of crushed computers and fax machines.

TerraCycle has been all over the media, as the once tiny startup is now a full-fledged booming business. They currently have a program where individuals, schools, and non-profit organizations can collect used products (ex. Capri Sun pouches, candy wrappers, yogurt containers) and TerraCycle will donate $0.02 per item to the charity of your choice. 

Referring back to our Trash To Cash article, this is a great example of somebody who found great success with upcycling. Come up with your own unique upcycled product to help put some benjamins in your pocket while helping the earth at the same time.