Toms of Maine #LessWasteChallenge and Toy Recycling Program Inspires Families to Reduce Household Waste

KENNEBUNK, Maine, March 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Every parent knows the frustration of a broken toy – if a car loses a wheel or a board game loses a piece, more often than not that toy ends up in the trash. With the toy industry now generating more than $26 billion in U.S. sales each year,¹ the amount of broken toys is a challenge families will continue to face. Beginning today, natural personal care leader Tom's of Maine is partnering with the recycling experts at TerraCycle to offer the #LessWasteChallenge toy recycling program. Families can visit www.tomsofmaine.com/lesswaste to download a free shipping label that they can use to mail in broken toys for recycling and do their part to reduce the amount of toys that end up in landfills each year.

"Knowing what to do with broken toys is a challenge because as parents we don't want to be wasteful and throw them away. We want to show our kids there are better solutions," said Susan Dewhirst, goodness programs manager at Tom's of Maine. "The act of recycling a toy together can be a way for parents to start a conversation with their kids about what we can all do to take care of the planet for generations."

Families can send in their broken toys directly to TerraCycle by following four simple steps:

• Visit www.tomsofmaine.com/lesswaste
• Enter contact information to receive a free UPS shipping label via email that can be printed at home
• Fill an old box with up to ten pounds of broken toys
• Attach the free shipping label to the box and drop it off at UPS

"Toys are a waste stream people don't think about that often, but the amount of broken toys sent to landfills is significant and there hasn't been a way to dispose of them," said Tom Szaky, founder and CEO of TerraCycle. "Parents can now feel good knowing that broken toys can be 100% recycled or reused, which helps planet Earth."  

Beyond toys, another way families can help the earth is the #LessWasteChallenge pledge, which asks families to reduce their household waste by one pound per week. To date, consumers have pledged to keep more than 200,000 pounds out of landfills since 2016. In addition to taking the pledge and downloading their free shipping label, visitors will also be able to find fun DIY projects that get the entire family involved in reducing waste.

Tom's of Maine is taking its own #LessWasteChallenge by having a goal of zero waste to landfills by 2020 at its manufacturing facility in Maine. The company has also partnered with TerraCycle to create the Natural Care Recycling Program, which now has 8,590 participating locations. The program collects personal care packaging from any brand, helping to keep 700,000 pieces of packaging out of landfills since the program began in 2012.    

Tom's of Maine has spent more than 45 years developing natural personal care products with a focus on natural, responsible and sustainable practices, while giving 10% of its 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.

About Tom's of Maine
Tom's of Maine is a leading natural products company focused on oral and personal care, carrying high quality toothpaste, mouthwash, dental floss, deodorant, antiperspirant, bar soap, body wash, body lotion, hand cream, lip balm and baby care products. The company has a long-standing commitment to supporting people, communities and the living planet. For 47 years, Tom's of Maine has supported hundreds of nonprofit efforts by giving 10% of its profits back to organizations that support human and environmental goodness and by encouraging employees to use 5% (12 days) of employee time to volunteer. Tom's of Maine employees regularly contribute suggestions for improving the company's high sustainability standards. And their ideas, from wind power to ways to improve recycled and recyclable packaging options, are critical to the company's sensitive way of doing business. Most Tom's of Maine products are vegan, kosher, halal-certified and gluten-free. All packaging is recyclable through a partnership with upcycling leader TerraCycle or participating municipalities. Tom's of Maine enjoys partnering with its consumers, suppliers and community organizations to support lasting, positive change that is good for people and the planet. Visit us online at http://www.tomsofmaine.com/ or at http://www.facebook.com/TomsofMaine.

About TerraCycle
Founded in 2001, TerraCycle, Inc., is the world's leader in the collection and repurposing of hard-to-recycle post-consumer waste, ranging from used chip bags to coffee capsules to cigarette butts. The waste is collected through free, national, brand-funded recycling programs, as well as various consumer and government-funded models. The collected waste is reused, upcycled or recycled into a variety of affordable, sustainable consumer products and industrial applications. Each year, across 21 countries, TerraCycle collects and repurposes billions of pieces of waste, donating millions of dollars to schools and charities in the process. To learn more about TerraCycle or get involved in our recycling programs, please visit www.terracycle.com.

¹ Toy Industry Association (2017). Annual U.S. Sales Data. Retrieved from http://www.toyassociation.org/tia/industry_facts/salesdata/industryfacts/sales_data/sales_data.aspx?hkey=6381a73a-ce46-4caf-8bc1-72b99567df1e#.WKH6yG8rJ0w.

SOURCE Tom's of Maine

Related Links

http://www.tomsofmaine.com/lesswaste