Tom's of Maine Partners with TerraCycle to Launch New Recycling Initiative

Tom's of Maine has partnered with TerraCycle to launch a recycling initiative to give a second life to product packaging with the launch of the Tom's of Maine Natural Care Brigade.  Tom's of Maine is a leader in natural oral and personal care products and TerraCycle is a recycling and upcycling pioneer.

The free collection program enables consumers to keep packaging from Tom's of Maine products and other brands out of landfills. To celebrate the launch, the company has announced the TOM's Less in Landfills Sweepstakes, through which Brigade participants can earn $1,000 for the non-profit or school of their choice. 

According to PR Newswire, "the Brigade accepts toothpaste tubes and caps, mouthwash bottles and caps, deodorant/antiperspirant containers, plastic soap wrappers and floss containers, regardless of brand.  For each piece of packaging collected and sent in, the collector earns points that can be put toward charity gifts or converted to cash and paid to any school or non-profit organization.  Any individual, family, group or school can join for free at TerraCycle.com and all shipping costs are pre-paid."

Through the sweepstakes, the leaders of the Natural Care Brigade have up to three chances to earn even more money for their school or charity. Each shipment received before November 30, 2012, will count as an entry into the sweepstakes to win $1,000, with a maximum of three entries per Brigade location.

TOM's has a very stringent waste reduction policy in communities all across the country. They are even conscious about the design aspect of their products - for example, their deodorant sticks are made of a single plastic that can be recycled from canister to cap, a first of its kind in the industry. In addition to this, all their product boxes are made of recycled/recyclable paperboard.

"At Tom's of Maine one of our core values is to make packaging as recyclable as possible. We do this directly with our own packaging innovation and standards, but we also invest in partnerships like TerraCycle to help eliminate packaging waste," said Susan Dewhirst, goodness programs manager at Tom's of Maine. "Our partnership with TerraCycle helps us connect with others who care passionately about taking care of the planet."

TerraCycle collects more than 50 different kinds of products and packaging through its Brigade programs, which are open to any individual or organization. It has already kept over two billion pieces of trash from going to the landfill, and with its partners, dispersed almost $4.5 million to charity.