The TerraCycle Global Foundation was formed in 2018 with a seed grant from the PepsiCo Foundation. In 2019, the Foundation was recognized by the US Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)3 Public Charity with headquarters in New Jersey.
Our mission is to address the complex challenges of collecting and recycling waste in emerging countries and communities. The TerraCycle Global Foundation engages with local communities in emerging regions to offer collection and recycling platforms for waste, with a special emphasis on preventing plastic pollution from entering our aquatic systems.
Our inaugural platform in Thailand collects plastics from rivers and canals before it ends in our oceans by leveraging a fleet of locally constructed and serviced river clean up systems. These efforts directly engage with local governments and nonprofit partners as well as corporate partners who help us create demand for “river plastics.” We are currently developing plans for inland programs as well to help equip, educate and protect waste pickers and their families.
THE GLOBAL WASTE CRISIS
In some developing nations, large populations and rapid urbanization have overwhelmed the local waste management infrastructure. Low waste collection rates and high littering trends produce substantial pollution both in the surrounding land and marine environments.
Thailand, China, Indonesia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines are some of the highest contributors to ocean plastics. Studies show that 80% of ocean plastics originate from land-based sources.
- Ocean Conservancy; Scientific American
Local waste management infrastructure in many communities is limited and sometimes non-existent. This gives rise to an informal sector of waste workers collecting and selling recyclables. Unable to find better opportunities, children, women, and individuals from lower classes, are often involved in waste picking and suffer from difficult working conditions which include exposure to hazardous chemicals, harassment on the job, economic instability and exploitation.
- Journal of Development Studies; Sowetan Live
LOW WASTE COLLECTION INCREASES RATES OF PLASTIC POLLUTION LEAKING INTO OUR OCEANS
LOW WASTE COLLECTION INCREASES RATES OF INFORMAL WASTE PICKING
The TerraCycle Global Foundation forms dedicated charitable organizations in most countries where it establishes operations. Through those entities, it cooperates with social, environmental and educational organizations to enhance recycling efforts and care of waste pickers.
Our approach addresses the multiple factors that contribute to the increasing rates of plastics pollution in these regions.
CLEAN UP WATERWAYS
The Foundation works with local communities to build, adapt, maintain and service marine trash capture technology.
IMPROVE LAND BASED PLASTIC COLLECTION
The Foundation works with local waste pickers to improve collection rates by providing fair wages, tools, supplies, financial literacy, education, care for children and health and safety training.
ENGAGE COMMUNITIES
The Foundation engages local district governments and organization to ensure the long term stability and maintenance of the collection programs.
FIND END SOLUTIONS
The Foundation engages a network of partners to identify innovative recycling solutions and end-markets to sell the collected materials.
OUR SOLUTION
PARTNER WITH US:
Organizations and companies interested in partnering with the TerraCycle Global Foundation can support our efforts to reduce plastic pollution in two critical areas.
Organizations can support our waterway clean up and collection efforts.
Contact:
Companies can purchase our collected and recycled materials.
Contact:
Individuals, family offices, private foundations
and public charities can contribute to the
TerraCycle Global Foundation.
To make a charitable contribution to this initiative please contact
THAILAND RIVER PLASTIC COLLECTION
After its founding in 2018, the TerraCycle Global Foundation formed the TerraCycle Thai Foundation, to work with the Thai community to address the issues of plastic pollution in the region with a focus on capturing marine debris from polluted waterways before it flows into oceans, supporting local waste workers, finding recycling and market solutions for the collected materials, researching regional waste trends and educating the public with data collected on best practices to reduce plastic pollution in the region.
In 2019, the TerraCycle Global Foundation partnered with the Blue Carbon Society, a local Thai environmental group, to support the Thai government to install marine debris capture devices, the “River Trap” in the tributaries of the Tha Chin River located in Samut Sakhon. The River Trap, developed with the generous support of the PepsiCo Foundation and with expertise contributed by TerraCycle, Inc. has numerous advantages that make it well adapted to these particular waterways.
in capturing various types of floating debris found in most waterways.
since the device will be locally constructed it can be adjusted as needed.
and requires minimal maintenance to promote long term maintenance by local community.
and adjusts with variable water levels and tides as weather changes. This also allows aquatic life to pass safely underneath.
and can be easily transported to avoid interference with residential/commercial boat traffic.
To make a charitable contribution to this initiative please contact
TERRACYCLE, INC. BACKGROUND
TerraCycle, Inc., the world leader in the collection and recycling of traditionally non-recyclable materials, established the TerraCycle Global Foundation in 2018 with generous funding from the PepsiCo Foundation to address the issues of plastic pollution in developing regions.
TERRACYCLE GLOBAL FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS
AMY CHENDER
New York
Business executive, with extensive experience in both operations and sustainability. Current emphasis on elevating business standards and ethics in retail, food events and design.
DANA BASS SOLOMON
Vancouver
Expertise in business and non-profit management. Global experience in women's empowerment issues in low income communities.
ERIC BRISSON
San Francisco
International entrepreneur with several successful startups becoming significant businesses, Eric manages significant private and charitable assets focused on impact, with a current emphasis on ocean plastics and waste alleviation.
LISA JENNINGS
Geneva
VP for Haircare, Procter & Gamble. 20+ years of experience in global business strategy, sustainability and brand marketing.
RICHARD PERL
New York
Chief Administrative Officer, TerraCycle, Inc. Attorney (NY Bar) with expertise in corporate and non-profit law, with decades of experience in impact business and social mission activities and capital development.
ROBERTA BARBIERI
New York
VP for Global Water and Environmental Solutions, PepsiCo, Inc. Responsible for executing PepsiCo’s goals for Climate, Water and Sustainable Packaging.
TOM SZAKY
Chair of the Board, New Jersey
Founder and CEO, TerraCycle, Inc. Globally recognized and award-winning business leader and innovator waste issues and innovation, with particular achievements in recycling and durable product and packaging systems.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Brian Matuszewski
London
As Executive Director of the TerraCycle Global Foundation, Brian brings a long term passion about issues regarding waste, social justice and to innovating solutions to systemic challenges. He joined TerraCycle in 2017, working closely with Tom Szaky in the original development of Loop, a circular shopping platform that enables consumers to shop for a variety of global brands in durable, reusable packaging. While at Loop, Brian oversaw a variety of activities including management of brand partnerships, and leading innovation and system expansion. He also oversaw Loop's relationship with the World Economic Forum and others in the NGO community. Prior to joining TerraCycle, Brian worked as head of sustainability for ARI, one of the world's largest commercial vehicle fleet management organizations. Brian speaks Portuguese, Spanish and Polish having had extensive international experience studying and working in Brazil, Spain and Mexico. He holds two degrees from Cornell University: a Bachelor of Science in Industrial & Labor Relations and a Master of Public Administration with a minor in Environmental Policy.
SUPPORT US
Donate now to help us reduce plastic pollution and empower local workers around the globe! Funding will help us develop marine trash capture devices and provide resources and equipment to local waste workers.
To make a charitable contribution please contact
or click on the link below.