Question Thread for Tom Szaky, founder and CEO of TerraCycle

This week, we've got Tom Szaky, founder and CEO of TerraCycle, a company breathing new life into waste. 

About Terracycle...

The TerraCycle Story is a tale of ultimate Eco-Capitalism. The company's flagship product, TerraCycle Plant Food™, is an all-natural, all-organic, 'goof-proof' liquid plant food made from waste (worm poop) and packaged in waste (reused soda bottles)!

It all started in 2001 when two Princeton University students set out to change the way people do business. Inspired by a box of worms, these students had a dream: a company could be financially successful while being ecologically and socially responsible.

Today, TerraCycle takes what others call trash, upcycles them, and turns them into brand-spanking new products.  Who thought you could make a hot little tote bag from Capri Sun juice packs?

What questions do you have for this eco-capitalist?  You've got a week to ask and vote on which questions he'll answer!

Things to remember:

• Make sure to write only 1 question per post (but feel free to ask as many questions as you like)
• Check back to vote on the questions you'd most like to have answered by Tom (use the "Rate Post" thumb up to vote)

On Monday of next week, we'll send the best 10 over to Tom and post his answers ASAP. Then, you'll have the chance to talk with him in the forums with follow-ups.

Check out the Interview Guidelines for a bit more help if you need it. Good luck - may the best questions win!

Edited by stins - Thu, 17 Jul 2008 17:33:17 GMT

Edited by stins - Wed, 06 Aug 2008 18:13:11 GMT

Where do you get the materials for your products?  I assume there isn't a 'Dumpster Diver' position at Terracycle.

Tom - I've been a huge fan of TerraCycle ever since I read about you in Inc. Magazine a few years back - congrats on all the success.

We all know that the upcycling is an amazing idea, and very important, but when you calculate the net cost of collecting, cleaning and using an oldseltzer bottle for housing your cleaning solution, is it also cheaper for you as a business than manufacturing all your own packaging? Keep up the awesome work!

Hi Tom, thanks for taking questions.  You've got a pretty big range of products I see (everything from rain barrels, to tote bags, to cleaning products).  How did you get there from just starting with your original plant food product?

A bit of a specific product question - I haven't been able to find a lot of information regarding the TerraCycle rain barrel.  Where do these barrels sell, and generally for how much?

What is the typical product development process for TerraCycle?

I'm especially interested in material selection.  Do you start by selecting the ideal material for a new product and then do some product design and testing?  How do you evaluate if there will be sufficient quantity of the waste (while there are obviously more than enough 20oz. platic soda bottles, I imagine it's a lot tougher to determine if you will be able to reclaim enough cookie wrappers).

Thanks for taking the time to answer our questions.  I hope the success continues.

One more question.

How did you guys get the companies that are producing the packaging/waste to get involved?  It's great to see them (e.g. Kraft/Nabisco, Clif, etc.) participating and supporting TerraCycle.  What do the companies provide by sponsoring a program?

Sort of a follow-up to teej's question...

I see you're working with Kraft, OfficeMax, and Target!  Congrats, first of all.  That's very exciting.  Do you have any other companies short listed that you'd like to start working with?

Tom,

Your products look very cool!  What an innovative approach to dealing with waste.  To go along with teej's question on product development, do the companies you work with have say in the creative design?

Besides your range of products, what else do you do for social and environmental responsibility?

I hear you retail through Wal-Mart and Home Depot.  That's great you've gotten them on board.  How do you keep your prices competitive with traditional products?  I imagine that's important when you're working with national chains.

I'm glad to have the opportunity to post a question. Thanks Cristina.

Besides leading your company, are you supporting efforts that focus on better waiste management on an international level? If so, who do you support?

Another one.

What influence will "green" social networking have on promoting sustainability?

I first heard about you last year when, as a member of my kid's school's green committee, another member met you at a cocktail party and described it this way: "...the coolest person at that reception was this guy who runs a recycling company called terracycle.  All the products they make are from used items -- like my wine barrel composter.  I had heard about this guy for a few years and always pictured him as some aging hippie.  I was shocked to meet him and see that he is only 26!  A princeton dropout and just an incredible, brilliant, creative guy."  Apparently, you made quite an impression!

My question pertains to your innovative brigade programs, that allow grassroots groups to recycle juice pouches, cookie packaging, etc..., gather them up and send them to you in free shipping pouches; if I understand it right, you pay 2 cents per pouch/package and then cut a check to a charity of the group's choice. This is an incredible program.  My question is, what can we, as individuals do to overcome the resistance we receive to implementing this kind of program?  What can we do to "market" this kind of program to friends, family and neighbors?

Thanks,
Jennifer Kaplan

Greenhance LLC

Hi.  Jen from Greenhance again... Can you tell us what the single most important thing an ecopreneur should know before moving forward?

Thanks.

One more...Thanks!

Is there one piece of advice you wish someone had told you when you were starting out?

Thanks again,

Jen from Greenhance.

Thanks for all your great questions.  This thread is now closed.  Head over here to read all of Tom Szaky's answers.