TOM SZAKY ON UPCYCLING
Tom Szaky, the wunderkind, eco-capitalist, CEO and co-founder of TerraCycle, wowed Fahrenheit 212 with his transformational business. TerraCycle is considered among the world’s most innovative companies as the first producer of products made solely from and packaged entirely in waste.
We found a kindred spirit in Tom, whose entire business model is founded on the practice of unlocking hidden assets: He doesn’t see trash, only cash! He shared his company’s “upcycling” process, whereby post-consumer waste is transformed into branded products for major retailers. Existing materials drive TerraCycle’s innovations. The team thinks about what they can make with what they have, rather than worrying about what they still need to make new products.
Tom also won us over with the immediate impact of upcycling as opposed to traditional recycling. Done Tom’s way, a discarded yogurt cup quickly finds a viable new life as a Home Depot plant holder instead of as a mess of melted-down material.
Color us inspired.
Click here to visit the Terracycle website.