TerraCycle Eco-Friendly Back To School Products- Review & Giveaway- 3 Winners!

Did you know that billions of drink pouches are thrown out each year, filling up landfills and dumpsters across the country? TerraCycle represents a new generation of company, putting as much emphasis on its social and environmental impact as its profits. In 2001, college freshman Tom Szaky founded TerraCycle in hopes of building a new, more responsible way of doing business, by creating an eco-capitalist company built on waste. Since then, TerraCycle has revolutionized the industry by making eco-friendly and affordable products from waste materials. Seven years later, TerraCycle’s eco-friendly products have received a myriad of social and environmental accolades and are available at major retail stores.

I was contacted to review some of TerraCycle's products, and was very surprised by how neat these are. I wasn't sure what to expect (it's recycled packaging) but they look great, are good-quality, well-made, and affordable. Best of all, when you wear and use them, you know you are helping the environment and a company dedicated to reducing waste. Some of the products I was sent to review include these circuit board coasters, made from real recycled circuit boards! This strikes me as a great gift for guys, a novelty in a bachelor home or for men in general- my husband LOVED these, it's cool to put a beer glass on:

I was also able to review a messenger bag made out of Honest Kids organic grape drinks (thus the pretty purple, black and white colors). I'm able to carry items around that I need, tossed over a shoulder, in this sturdy bag that is reinforced at the seems and stitched together and laminated . The shoulder strap is adjustable and the flap is secured closed with a velcro fastener. It's roomy enough for some school books, to carry crafts in, etc.,:

Finally, I was also sent a large pencil case made out of Kool-Aid wrappers and a lunch bag made from Capri Sun wrappers. These are both well-made, and the lining inside is even attractive (the details show the good workmanship). These would be fun for kids going back to school (elementary school kids love these beverages so would probably like this to carry their lunch or pencils in). The lunch box is a bit bigger than traditional lunch boxes, and flexible but structured, and the pencil case is large enough for a ruler, pencils and pens, erasers, a compass, etc.,:

TerraCycle pay schools, families, and communities to collect non-recyclable waste, which is then upcycled or repurposed to make fun, eco-friendly products like bird feeders, tote bags and cosmetic cases. Huggies and Sprout Organic Baby Food are two companies who are involved in sponsoring fundraisers specifically for moms and day care centers that want to get involved and make a difference. They pay 2 cents for every used piece of diaper packaging (except dirty diapers) or used baby food pouch a participant returns, regardless of brand. Because Sprout and Huggies generously pay for the costs of the program, they are 100% free for any school, organization, or individual family to get involved in- they even provide prepaid shipping labels.

♥ The collected diaper packaging and baby food pouches is then turned into products for new mothers and their babies, like bibs and diaper bags. Terracycle is trying to recruit daycare centers and young families nationwide to sign up, get involved, and start collecting. It is an easy way to make a difference globally and locally all while reducing your household waste. Interested parties can sign up for free at www.terracycle.net

♥ TerraCycle’s Brigades divert packaging waste from landfills and help raise consumer awareness about reducing, reusing and recycling.  By encouraging people to rethink ‘what is waste,’ TerraCycle is making it simple for consumers to have a positive impact on the environment.   Participation is free and all shipping costs are paid.  Sign up at www.terracycle.net/brigades.

Buy it! TerraCycle products are sold at major retailers like The Home Depot, Target, Wal*Mart and Whole Foods Markets, as well as at www.terracycle.net. In addition to back to school items, they offer products for the home, pets, gardening, and more!

Win it! TerraCycle wants to give three followers of Penelope's Oasis their own awesome eco-friendly products, including some back to school product options! To win, leave a message below telling me a way to live greener. Winners may choose from the following list of products for their prize:

- tote bag made from juice pouches

- pencil case made from juice pouches

- lunch box from juice pouches

- drink coasters made from circuit boards

- picture frame made form circuit board

Extra Entries:

♥  Like TerraCycle on Facebook and tell them thanks for this great giveaway!

♥ Follow TerraCycle on Twitter and let them know you are entering this giveaway and that you appreciate their mission for our environment.

♥ Follow on twitter and retweet for one entry daily (must have at least 50 followers).

♥ Vote for me on Top Baby Blogs and let me know you did (you can vote daily for more entries).

Contest open until August 31st to US residents. Winner has 24 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen.

Review and giveaway sponsored by TerraCycle.

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: http://cmp.ly/2