In recent decades, we’ve witnessed a sweeping megatrend toward sustainability in American culture, with an unprecedented shift toward sustainable engineering, green lifestyle choices, and a deepening connection to the earth. We now understand that environmental stewardship is here to stay, but the question then arises: what form will it take?
The answer may be right in our own backyard. Fairfield has been leading the way in sustainable innovation for years, but with a new initiative called TerraCycle Fairfield, the town has taken action to place sustainability at the very core of its economy.
Last summer, Fairfield’s Sustainable Living Coalition partnered with globally renowned, New Jersey-based TerraCycle Inc. to create TerraCycle Fairfield, a citywide initiative to collect traditionally non-recyclable local waste. By utilizing TerraCycle’s recycling solutions, TerraCycle Fairfield collects all sorts of products—from old toothbrushes to chip bags to printers—and breaks them down into materials that are ready for reuse. TerraCycle then uses these materials to build new products such as playgrounds, park benches, or even backpacks.
In the one year since its launch, TerraCycle Fairfield has already diverted upwards of 1,000 pounds of batteries from landfills, as well as hygiene, beauty care, and e-waste products. Through seven community partnerships, TerraCycle Fairfield has engaged citizens in becoming the world’s first ever TerraCycle Town—but this is only the tip of the iceberg.
For 2020, the TerraCycle Fairfield team has committed to four far-reaching sustainability goals:
Business Certification
Local businesses and organizations wishing to distinguish themselves as industry leaders in sustainable and responsible practices can qualify for a “TerraCycle Fairfield Champion” certification.
Neighborhood Collection
Volunteer students from Fairfield Rotary’s Interact club have launched a door-to-door program that provides neighborhood collection services for TerraCyclable materials.
Sustainable To-Go Containers
Restaurant customers now have the choice to opt for recyclable or compostable take-out packaging at their favorite eateries.
More Public Collection Sites
TerraCyle Fairfield is working on establishing more public collection sites throughout town, including larger programs to accept more kinds of hard-to-recycle waste.
New Life for Old Waste
In the words of TerraCycle Fairfield’s project head Stuart Valentine, “One thing I observed in my study of biology is that nature does not produce a landfill. Everything in nature gets repurposed, upcycled, or recycled into something new, and TerraCycle is one of the lead companies that is helping corporations creatively think about how to do that.”
This touches on the core mission of TerraCycle Fairfield, which is to transform our economy from a linear model (where resources are extracted, turned into products, consumed, and disposed of) into a circular economy where we can give old waste a new life by introducing it back into the production cycle. This is the process of emulating nature to eliminate waste.
TerraCycle Fairfield currently operates three public collection sites that take the following items:
Everybody’s Whole Foods
- Batteries: AA, AAA, C, D, hearing aid batteries, tool batteries, etc.
- E-waste: mobile phones, laptops, tablets, etc.
- Hygiene products: empty deodorant containers, empty toothpaste tubes, used toothbrushes, empty mouthwash bottles, empty dental floss containers, etc.
- Beauty care: empty haircare and styling bottles and packaging, empty makeup packaging, empty lotion bottles.
- Razors: including blades, handles, and packaging.
Fairfield Public Library
- Batteries: AA, AAA, C, D, hearing aid batteries, tool batteries, etc.
- E-waste: mobile phones, laptops, tablets, etc.
- Hygiene products: empty deodorant containers, empty toothpaste tubes, used toothbrushes, empty mouthwash bottles, empty dental floss containers, etc.
Ghost Vape
- Batteries: AA, AAA, C, D, hearing aid batteries, etc.
Businesses: Want to Go Green?
TerraCycle Fairfield would also like to offer help to local businesses who wish to improve their internal waste management practices. Interested parties can email TerraCycleTown@gmail.com for information on how to help or for any other questions.
If you would like to keep up to date with TerraCycle Fairfield, look for monthly columns in The Iowa Source as well as on TerraCycle Fairfield’s Facebook page and Instagram @TCFairfield.