I found a great way to recycle the many energy bar wrappers!
Recycle your energy bar wrappers with Terracycle.
In 2004, I finally committed myself to a better diet and regular excercise. Since then, I have found myself relying on energy bars or protein bars to help keep my energy levels steady, boost my metabolism, and snack in a healthier way. However, individually wrapped food of any kind is generally not good for the environment. The less packaging our food has, the less resources used to make them and the less that end up in a landfill.
Terracycle is a New Jersey company dedicated to elminating the idea of waste by taking items like energy bar wrappers, soda bottles, and drink pouches and making them into office supplies, reusable bags, and even fire logs.
I signed up to recycle my energy bar wrappers through the web site and received UPS mailing envelopes that I can send in as each one is filled with 200 wrappers. All I needed to do is save the wrappers, fill up the bag, and drop the package off at my local UPS store. But, it gets even better. Terracycle has partnered with companies like Clif to donate 2 cents for every wrapper to a charity of my choice. I chose to donate to my local Sierra Club.
(Now, if I can just find a way to recycle my Smoothie King styrofoam (#6) cups, I would be good to go.)
[Update 01/19/09]
I have now sent out my second package of 250 energy bar wrappers to Terracycle. Since the first batch was sent, I have found a better way to store the wrappers until I have enough to send. I saved an old Hefty garbage bag box that has a handy slot at the top of the box. Not only do they keep the wrappers contained, but they also keep them flatter and easier to count.
