Earth Month message from TerraCycle CEO & Founder Tom Szaky

79% of the plastic that’s been produced currently sits in landfills or the environment. That’s why the focus of Earth Day 2024 is reducing plastic production. EarthDay.org is calling for a 60% reduction in plastic production by 2040. TerraCycle’s mission is Eliminating the Idea of Waste®, and we proudly support a reduction in virgin plastic production. 

Every step you take to reduce waste in your life matters. 

Every action we take as individuals has impact. Each time you choose your recycling bin for items that are curbside recyclable, or TerraCycle for hard-to-recycle waste instead of sending an item to the landfill, you’re creating recycled raw materials that negate the need to extract more natural resources. Every time you choose sustainably packaged products over those packaged in materials that can’t be reused or recycled, you’re sending a message to corporations that end-of-life solutions for the products you buy are important to you. When we do these things together and inspire others to do the same, our impact is significant—and constantly compounding.

Here are a few key steps you can take this Earth Month to make a difference: 

Use your voice

Your voice as a consumer is powerful. Call for a reduction in the use of virgin plastic and support recycling for the plastic that already exists. Tell your favorite brands and retailers that you want sustainable alternatives, or to be able to recycle their hard-to-recycle products and packaging.

To magnify your impact, reach out to local legislators to express the need for laws that promote circular business models. Challenge yourself this Earth Month to reach out to 5 brands and/or local legislators about your concerns. We even have a resource with tips and templates for reaching out to changemakers.

Vote with your dollar

The items you buy today are the ones you’ll see on store shelves tomorrow. Opt for sustainably packaged items (reusable, locally recyclable, or that have a recycling solution through TerraCycle) whenever possible. And most importantly: buy less!

Buy less

The only silver bullet solution to the global waste crisis is buying less. Recycling, upcycling, and reuse all have an important role to play, but they still have a carbon footprint. The best way to reduce our impact on the planet is to simply reduce what we consume. 

Keep moving forward

Keep using your voice, voting with your dollar, and taking any other actions to reduce waste. Reducing, reusing, and recycling are as important as ever. So, buy less (reduce), reuse what you already have, and for any waste you end up with, recycle it through your local recycling service (if possible) or send it to TerraCycle through our free recycling programs and Zero Waste Boxes.

Remember that thanks to the efforts of people like you, new Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation is being introduced around the globe, putting more responsibility for end-of-life solutions on the corporations that manufacture products. So keep up the good work—it makes a difference. On Earth Day and every day, we’re here to support you, and we’re working right alongside you to advocate for action. 

P.s. We’re always listening and learning. If you have comments, questions, or ideas you’d like to share, send me an email.