International recycling leader TerraCycle is empowering K-12 schools across the country to turn hard-to-recycle packaging into cold, hard cash with a kid-friendly recycling fundraiser. Schools earn money by collecting and recycling a wide array of “unrecyclable” items that are not accepted in curbside recycling services— everything from personal care products to squeezable plastic pouches.
Cherry School in Iron, MN teaches its special needs students valuable job skills and environmental stewardship through a hands-on recycling program. For three years, students have recycled paper, plastic, glass, and cans, recently adding items like worn-out socks and old toothbrushes through TerraCycle.
“This program gives our students a sense of pride and accomplishment while helping tackle waste challenges,” said Jamie Herzmann, Special Education Teacher at Cherry School. “Every effort, no matter how small, drives positive change for individuals, communities, and the planet when we work together.”
Eastlake Middle School in Eastlake, OH, engages students and families in recycling efforts through the EMS Green Team, with collection bins throughout the school for hard-to-recycle items like snack packaging and bread bags. The team promotes sustainable habits at school and at home, making recycling accessible and impactful for the entire community.
The TerraCycle school recycling fundraiser is easy. Here’s how it works:
- Create a free TerraCycle account for your school – there’s no cost to participate.
- Sign up for as many free recycling programs as desired.
- Set up a recycling station with collection bins to collect the accepted waste.
- When the bins are full, download a free shipping label for each program and send the packaging to TerraCycle to be recycled for free.
- Earn TerraCycle Recycling Rewards for each shipment, which you can redeem for cash for your school. The more packaging you recycle, the more money you raise.
“At TerraCycle, we see the inherent value in waste,” said Tom Szaky, founder and CEO of TerraCycle. “This recycling fundraiser is more than just a practical way for schools to raise money— it’s a community-driven program that engages and empowers young people to help the environment by keeping waste out of landfills and incinerators.”
Schools like Stewart School in Garden City, NY, and Sunset Primary in West Linn, OR, have already seen success. A fourth grader at Stewart School sparked the creation of a student ambassador program that collected nearly 50 pounds of snack pouches in just a few months. At Sunset Primary, a mother-daughter duo rallied the entire school community to recycle hard-to-process items contact lenses and disposable razors.
“Partnering with TerraCycle is a win-win,” Jennifer Nowak, a parent at Sunset Primary. “It makes recycling easy for students and offers a simple way to fundraise.”
TerraCycle’s school recycling program is open to any interested school community. For more information, visit www.terracycle.com/schools.
About TerraCycle
TerraCycle is an international leader in innovative sustainability solutions, creating and operating first-of-their-kind platforms in recycling, recycled materials, and reuse. Across 21 countries, TerraCycle is on a mission to rethink waste and develop practical solutions for today’s complex waste challenges. The company engages an expansive multi-stakeholder community across a wide range of accessible programs, from Fortune 500 companies to schools and individuals. To learn more about TerraCycle and join them on their journey to move the world from a linear economy to a circular one, please visit www.terracycle.com.
