What do you do with your chip bags, toothpaste, or dried out markers after you're done using them? Throw them away? With Upcycling, you never have to fill up your garbage bag with these items again!
The Upcycling 101
So....what exactly is Upcycle?
Conceived by the Terracycle organization, Upcycle It! is an initiative that takes commonly used products, which would normally end up in the trash, and "recycles" them into new products. For example, an old chip bag may be reused as part of a new tote bag. Click on the pictures below to watch their transformation into new products! |
Check out Environmental Club's video on Upcycling!
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What can I Upcycle?
As you may have inferred from the pictures above, you can Upcycle all brands of toothpaste, juice pouches, markers, granola bars, and chip bags. But wait! There's more! We also accept any oral care products and writing instruments, including toothbrushes, highlighters, pens, and Sharpies.
What is Environmental Club's role?
In collaboration with the founder of Westford's Upcycle program, Kristina Greene, we Green Ghosts sort through the Upcycle to organize them into specific categories of chip bags, dental items, writing instruments, etc. Seeking community service hours? You can get an hour just for collecting and sorting items!
Why should I Upcycle?
Besides the possibility of reducing your household waste and giving old items the chance to turn into well-loved reusable products, Upcycling returns us 2 cents per item Upcycled. That may not seem like a lot, but the Upcycling adds up! So far, Westford's Upcycling Team has raised over $11,000 from these typical trash items alone. Not only does this money benefit our community through grants given by Sustainable Westford, but less trash on our planet's future generations is always a positive thing. In a study conducted by the University of Utah, researchers found that Americans cumulatively throw away enough trash to fill 63,000 garbage trucks a day. Think about all that trash!
Where can I drop off my Upcycle?
As you may have guessed, there is currently no curbside pickup of Upcycle items. However, Upcycle locations are conveniently located around town for dropoff- when you stop by any of these places, be sure to remember your Upcycle
If you're a Westford Academy student, there are also Upcycle bins in nearly every room of the building!
As you may have inferred from the pictures above, you can Upcycle all brands of toothpaste, juice pouches, markers, granola bars, and chip bags. But wait! There's more! We also accept any oral care products and writing instruments, including toothbrushes, highlighters, pens, and Sharpies.
What is Environmental Club's role?
In collaboration with the founder of Westford's Upcycle program, Kristina Greene, we Green Ghosts sort through the Upcycle to organize them into specific categories of chip bags, dental items, writing instruments, etc. Seeking community service hours? You can get an hour just for collecting and sorting items!
Why should I Upcycle?
Besides the possibility of reducing your household waste and giving old items the chance to turn into well-loved reusable products, Upcycling returns us 2 cents per item Upcycled. That may not seem like a lot, but the Upcycling adds up! So far, Westford's Upcycling Team has raised over $11,000 from these typical trash items alone. Not only does this money benefit our community through grants given by Sustainable Westford, but less trash on our planet's future generations is always a positive thing. In a study conducted by the University of Utah, researchers found that Americans cumulatively throw away enough trash to fill 63,000 garbage trucks a day. Think about all that trash!
Where can I drop off my Upcycle?
As you may have guessed, there is currently no curbside pickup of Upcycle items. However, Upcycle locations are conveniently located around town for dropoff- when you stop by any of these places, be sure to remember your Upcycle
- Summer/Fall Farmers Market (Tuesdays, 1-7 PM on the Westford Town Common)
- JV Fletcher Library- by the basement elevator
- Roudenbush Community Center
- Starbucks (174 Littleton Rd, Westford)
If you're a Westford Academy student, there are also Upcycle bins in nearly every room of the building!