Terracycle, often hailed as the 'google of garbage', is quite the success story. In addition to making affordable, eco-friendly products from a wide range of different non-recyclable waste materials, they also run a free collection service for schools and not-for profits. With collecting and recycling operations in over 6 countries, Terracycle is slowly starting their plan of world domination.
Brigades, a branch of Terracycle has a fascinating and highly effective business model, which also works as an incentive scheme for collectors. A brigade is a point of collection, which could be a school, organisation, an office, or even a neighborhood. These groups collect certain items and then are rewarded 2 cents per item. All money raised goes to a school or charity of the group's choice. Companies, which are generating the waste are the financiers of the donations.
An impressive 37,000 individuals have signed up for these Brigades, earning nearly £20,000 for charity, merely by collecting and sending the items for upcycling instead of discarding packaging waste. Note evena year old, the Brigades program has collected over 4.5 million pieces of pre- and post-consumer packaging.
Terracycle is a an all-consuming god, wedding together co-operation, waste reduction and community support.
Why not start a brigade and join in on the upcycling and recycling adventure?
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