On Tuesday, October 5th, friends, supporters, and members of the TerraCycle team gathered to celebrate the unveiling of the brand-new Dr. Ernel Simpson Research and Development Center at TerraCycle’s Trenton-based Global Headquarters. Aptly named after Dr. Ernel Simpson, TerraCycle’s Executive VP of R&D and Technical Innovation, TerraCycle’s Research and Development team will leverage this world-class technology to uncover their latest discoveries in recycling, sanitizing, and repurposing waste. To help ring in the day’s celebration, remarks were given from a distinguished panel of speakers, including TerraCycle CEO Tom Szaky, Mayor of Trenton Reed Gusciora, Greater Trenton CEO George Sowa, and the man of the hour, Dr. Ernel Simpson.
Reflecting on Dr. Simpson’s many contributions, Mr. Szaky shared, “I think Ernie really established an interesting thesis about how to create great solutions in the world of recycling. Thanks to Ernie and the team that he’s lead over these 15 years, TerraCycle has created cigarette recycling, which has now collected and recycled just under one billion cigarette butts around the world, not just here in the United States, but across 20 countries.” Thanks to Dr. Simpson’s discoveries, TerraCycle now offers recycling solutions for a whole host of hard-to-process items, including chewing gum, diapers, contaminated multi-layer packaging, and more. Many may have also seen Dr. Simpson’s work in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where recycled materials were used to craft the podiums upon which the world’s greatest athletes would stand.
Mayor Gusciora remarked, “Dr. Simpson has done amazing work, not only to expand the company, but to keep its commitments to the Capital City. And so, we’re really eager to see the R&D Center stand and grow and do more dynamic things in sustainability and innovation. We could not be prouder, so God bless you on your mission, and we’ll look forward to the exciting things to come.”
George Sowa, CEO of Greater Trenton, shared, “We are very fortunate to have TerraCycle’s corporate headquarters here in Trenton. The company truly has a global presence and puts a new spin on the old phrase ‘Trenton makes, the world takes’. In TerraCycle’s case, and especially through the work of Ernie and his R&D team, the ‘World makes and TerraCycle takes and remakes’. Seeing the world differently, and acting upon it, to make a difference.”
Continuing, he noted, “So often, when we advance in our lives and careers we think about what we will leave behind as a legacy for those that come after us. And many times the thought is something that can be seen or touched; something really big to the extent possible. What a wonderful legacy that in Ernie’s life and career, he leaves behind less, rather than more. This is truly a really big thing. So in closing, thank you Ernie for your dedication and commitment over the years making the world a better place for all of us and again, congratulations Ernie on this wonderful honor!”
Trenton Daily had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Simpson regarding the day’s celebrations, as well as what hopes he holds for the future of this facility. Discussing what challenges this lab will help to eliminate, Dr. Simpson shared, “The whole idea of recycling is to use different parts of science to get the kind of effects that you get in a virgin material. Now, everybody says that, well, recycling is easy, but actually it’s more difficult because you have to get technology to separate material before you can produce pellets and create usable material.” Continuing, he shared, “We started from a one-room facility to this, and this is thanks to TerraCycle’s efforts. I am in my 70s, I am going to be 75 in February, and so as I move on, those younger folks who are doing excellent work will be able to continue.”
Continuing, he shared, “Really, I expect recycling is becoming more difficult every day, because the low-hanging fruit has been picked. As a guy who comes from a heavy science background, the ability to take a look at recycling as well as a circular economy is what people should be focusing on.” As TerraCycle boldly moves ahead in their revolutionary discoveries, one thing is for certain: Dr. Simpson’s legacy, leadership, and immeasurable contributions to the world of recycling will continue to endure and inspire for generations to come.
Congratulations to Dr. Simpson and the entire TerraCycle team for this remarkable achievement, and we cannot wait to see the continued breakthroughs that will emerge from the Capital City’s latest lab!
