Terracycle Tackles Oral Care Waste

TERRACYCLE TACKLES ORAL CARE WASTE WITH NATIONAL RECYCLING PROGRAMME

1 October - For the first time in New Zealand, oral care waste is now recyclable. TerraCycle and Colgate have partnered to create a recycling solution for the nation’s oral care waste through the Colgate Oral Care Brigade.

New Zealanders can now register on the TerraCycle New Zealand website to collect used oral care items in any box, then download a free shipping label, affix it to the box and ship it via New Zealand Post to TerraCycle to be recycled into sustainable products and materials.

"We are working with TerraCycle to tackle oral care waste through this innovative programme. This environmental initiative also engages local communities, schools and households around sustainability." said John Garside, General Manager, Colgate, New Zealand.

The Oral Care Brigade will allow groups and individuals to recycle any brand of used toothbrushes as well as toothpaste tubes and caps, floss containers, toothbrush and toothpaste tube outer packaging from home, schools or the workplace. Collectors can earn TerraCycle points for which they can redeem two cents per piece of waste collected to donate to their nominated school or non-profit organisation.

TerraCycle General Manager, Anna Minns said this environmental initiative will divert this previously ‘un-recyclable’ waste from landfill.

"Colgate has also opened the Oral Care Brigade to recycle any brand of oral care product. All schools, groups, individuals and businesses are welcome to participate in the programme. The Oral Care Brigade is the latest addition to TerraCycle New Zealand’s recycling Brigade programmes including NESCAFÉ® Dolce Gusto® Capsules Brigade."

To date, TerraCycle has kept more than 2.6 billion pieces of waste from landfills around the world through its innovative recycling Brigade programs.

To learn more about the Oral Care Brigade program visit www.terracycle.co.nz

How does it work?

It’s easy and free to participate in the Oral Care Brigade Interested individuals and groups can sign up for the Brigade and view further terms and conditions by visiting www.terracycle.co.nz

Accepted waste includes toothbrushes, toothpaste tubes, toothpaste caps, floss containers, toothbrush and toothpaste tube outer packaging materials packaging materials.

Once enough waste is collected, collectors log into their account and print a free prepaid New Zealand Post shipping label to return their box or satchel at no cost. For every piece of waste collected, NZ$0.02 is donated to the collectors’ nominated school or non-profit organisation. Collectors must send in at least one kilogram of oral care waste to earn the TerraCycle points donation.

TerraCycle has already kept more than two billion pieces of food and beverage packaging and other waste from going to the landfill and with its partners, dispersed more than USD$9 million to charity through its various Brigade programmes. This newest Brigade® programme joins one other Brigade currently available with NESCAFÉ® Dolce Gusto® capsules to recycle coffee and tea capsules.

About TerraCycle

TerraCycle is an international recycling company that engages the community to collect ‘un-recyclable’ packaging and products, and turns them into new sustainable products. Founded in 2001, TerraCycle is the world’s leader in the collection and reuse of non-recyclable post-consumer waste. TerraCycle works with over 110 of the world’s largest consumer goods brands to collect 75 different waste streams, including chip bags, pens, toothbrushes, chewing gum and even cigarette waste.

TerraCycle has operations in 26 countries and has over 60 million people participating globally in our programs to collect waste.

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