TerraCycle Update

by 
Alisa Shargorodsky, Weavers Way Zero-Waste Consultant

GREEN HOURS
FOR WORKING MEMBERS

Mt. Airy Village Fair: Help make the Fair Sunday, Sept. 16 another Zero Waste event! Two-hour shifts for eco-ambassadors, dishwashers and more, starting at 10 a.m.

TerraCycle Sorting: One Thursday a month, 10 a.m.-noon, at the Weavers Way warehouse, 2901 Hunting Park Ave. Upcoming shifts are Sept. 20, Oct. 25, Nov. 29 and Dec. 27.

Visit the Online Work Calendar at member.weaversway.coop for details and to sign up. (Login required; contact Membership at member@weaversway.coop or 215-843-2350, ext. 119, if you need assistance.)

As you likely know, Weavers Way serves as a collection site for TerraCycle, a company that recycles materials that are commonly not recyclable. TerraCycle does this by working directly with the original producers to fund post-market handling. 

There are TerraCycle drop sites in all three stores — Ambler’s new TerraCycle station is the latest. It’s important that you take the time to learn what materials can and can’t go in the TerraCycle bins. This is NOT regular recycling and only very specific products are eligible for TerraCycle programs. 

If you think that something goes in the TerraCycle bin but aren’t sure, please look into it. We will be posting very clear parameters online in the coming weeks. Just a heads up: NO baby food pouches, and all materials need to be emptied and clean — yes, even toothpaste and deodorant. Feel free to use scissors to cut open and clean toothpaste tubes. We welcome that!

Also, we are having issues in Ambler with people placing their waste in the wrong receptacles. Everything is very clearly labeled; please help us be as sustainable as possible by placing materials in the correct bin. Remember, soiled containers from the hot bar are not recyclable. If you have questions about proper placement, please send me an email. 

In order to send our TerraCycle collections back for repurposing, they must get sorted into the appropriate shipping bins. We’ve set up a new series of cooperator hours to do this work at our warehouse (located at the Share food program at 2901 Hunting Park Ave. in Nicetown). Two-hours shifts are on the fourth Thursday (except Thanksgiving!) and start at 10 a.m. Sign up on the Online Work Calendar. Gloves provided!