More than 250 million tons of waste is generated every year in the United States, but this year you can help change that number. Just in time for Earth Month, natural personal care brand Tom’s of Maine and TerraCycle®, a recycling leader, are teaming up to decrease the amount of trash ending up in landfills by launching the #LessWasteChallenge.
By taking a simple online pledge at www.tomsofmaine.com/lesswaste, you can give your support by making the commitment to reduce your family’s household waste by one pound per week.
A recent study by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found that the average person generates 4.4 pounds of waste per day1 – more than 30 pounds per week – that can instead be composted, recycled or upcycled into other useful items for your home. The #LessWasteChallenge is designed to inspire small changes today that can make an important impact tomorrow. Tips & DIY projects are available at www.tomsofmaine.com/lesswaste, and consumers are invited to share their own tips on social media using #LessWasteChallenge.
For 45 years, Tom’s of Maine has been taking its own #LessWasteChallenge by developing natural personal care products with a focus on natural, responsible and sustainable practices and materials. Today, Tom’s of Maine has a goal of zero waste to landfills by 2020 at its manufacturing facility in Maine. As well, through its partnership with TerraCycle, the Tom’s of Maine Natural Care Brigade® enlists volunteers to collect personal care packaging from any brand, helping to keep 195,787 pounds of packaging out of landfills in 2015 alone.
“Making a lifestyle overhaul can be overwhelming to someone, so the #LessWasteChallenge is the perfect way to get started,” said TerraCycle CEO, Tom Szaky. “A lot of little steps add up to one big one.”
Want to find new, easy ways to reduce waste in your home? Try one of these tips from TerraCycle to help you get to your goal of reducing household waste by one pound each week!
- Plastic Sandwich Baggies – the average person uses 540 baggies or 0.84 lbs. of plastic per year,2 so try using reusable food containers when packing your lunch
- Disposable Coffee Cups – the average US office worker uses 500 cups or about 23 lbs. of paper per year,3 so try bringing a reusable travel mug with you to work
- Bills – paying bills exclusively online has the potential to save 23 lbs. of wood each year4
- Junk Mail – the average person receives 560 pieces of junk mail or 41 lbs. per year,5 so unsubscribe from mailing lists or request to only receive information online
- Receipts – take advantage of restaurants and stores offering e-receipts instead of taking the paper copy
Consumers will also encounter the #LessWasteChallenge throughout Earth Month with in-store events and displays and through mobile and social content – all aimed at inspiring families to take the pledge to reduce waste in their homes and communities.
Tom’s of Maine gives 10% of profits back to helping people and the planet. You can learn more about Tom’s of Maine and how the company makes its products by visiting www.TomsofMaine.com and www.Facebook.com/TomsofMaine.
