TerraCycle, the global leader in ‘up-cycling’ operations, where waste materials considered difficult to recycle are converted into environmentally friendly products, has chosen London as the launching pad for its expansion into UK and Europe.
In contrast with regular recycling, where materials are broken down and converted into other products, the up-cycling process involves using waste materials in their existing form to create new products. Waste is simply cleaned, and then shaped, sewn or fused into useable products.
Founded in 2001, TerraCycle has been widely recognised in the US for making affordable, eco-friendly products from waste materials. The firms first partnership in the UK will be with Krafts Food UK. The venture will ensure Kenco and Tassimo coffee packaging is kept out of British landfills.
Tom Szaky, who founded TerraCycle as a college freshman, said the company hopes to quickly raise up-cycling awareness in the UK. He said that TerraCycle is continuing to invest heavily in infrastructure, despite the current global economic climate, and that a highly trained pool of talent would be available for businesses in London.
Think London, the capital’s foreign direct investment agency has been closely involved in helping TerraCycle establish its London base. The agency has helped TerraCycle secure free office-space through its Touchdown London programme and has also helped with the PR and marketing involved in the company’s UK launch.
Other companies from the sustainable sector that Think London has helped establish in England’s capital include Asia Carbon Exchange Pte Ltd, Closed Loop London, Better Generation, EarthTradeWater, Recycle Bank, Enecore and more.
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